2019 Aston Martin Vantage $168k Msrp on 2040-cars

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Aston Martin's project 003 could have a name: Valhalla

When Aston Martin unveiled the Valkyrie at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show, the carmaker's chief designer told Drive, "We have a bunch more V names that we've thought of and haven't used." Earlier this year, AutoGuide discovered a trademark application for the name Varekai, which Aston Martin will use for its crossover. Now the same site has found another trademark application at the with World Intellectual Property organization, this time for Valhalla, which it expects to be applied to the "Son of Valkyrie," formerly known as 003. The automaker made the filing on October 12, 2018. If you're unclear on all the connections, the Valkyrie was codenamed AM-RB 001, denoting the first collaboration between Aston Martin and the Red Bull Racing Formula 1 team. The Valkyrie AMR Pro was AM-RB 002. That makes the Valhalla, nee 003, next in the chute. The naming inverts Norse myth, since the legends say Valkyries escorted fallen warriors to the Hall of the Slain in Valhalla. In Aston Martin's working, you need to go through Valhalla to get to the ferocious women with the swords. Although not thought to be co-developed with Red Bull Racing, the Valhalla will retain lightweight, carbon-fiber-intensive construction and active aerodynamics like its larger siblings, as well as an active suspension. As a road-legal and more practical step below the Valkyries, the Valhalla includes "space for luggage," and a quieter cabin. Instead of a naturally-aspirated V12, the third member of the family goes with a turbocharged V6 with hybrid help. Anticipated to be a full-on hypercar, the competitive set is thought to include the McLaren Speedtail and whatever succeeds the Ferrari LaFerrari. Aston Martin will make 500 Valhallas, deliveries commencing in late 2021. Before then, don't be surprised to see the Vanquish name return on the company's Ferrari 488 and McLaren 720S challenger. Related Video:

2017 Aston Martin DB11 First Drive

England's history is filled with war. The last 70-plus years of peace and prosperity are an anomaly. Aston Martin, the nation's only independent carmaker, has similarly weathered strife – often of the financial variety – for most of its existence. Now Aston seeks stability. Its plan calls for new vehicles, a crossover even, and some electric propulsion for good measure. This is still a few years away. To get there, Aston will rely on its specialty, the sports car. Enter the 2017 Aston Martin DB11. While the company transitions, the latest in the DB line is already transformed. It's the successor to the 13-year-old DB9 (the DB10 was James Bond's car in Spectre) and has a new V12 with twin turbos cranking out 600 horsepower. The car is based on a new aluminum architecture that's lighter and stiffer than the DB9's, so the DB11 handles better. Naturally, the design is striking. That's not a cliche. Is all of this enough to sway some Ferrari, Porsche, and Bentley loyalists to Aston's fold? We've come to the gorgeous Italian region of Tuscany to find out. Taking the wheel on a sun-drenched morning, we head for Monte San Savino where a rustic lunch awaits. The V12 immediately grabs our attention. The note is buzzy at first, grows agitated, and then the sound morphs into a growling shout. Naturally aspirated engines are more visceral, but the DB11's turbo 12 is nothing to scoff at. The car sounds best in Sport Plus mode, which gives the engine and eight-speed transmission their most aggressive character. We lay on the throttle and the DB11 shoots forward, its long hood pointing the way through the countryside. The names of the villages roll off the tongue as the signs blur. Montisi. Montalcino. Trequanda. Florence and Pisa lay tantalizingly just outside of our route. Romantic as they sound, it's easy to resist Italy's magic. Its drivers are frickin' crazy. Thankfully, the DB11 has quick reflexes. The steering is moderately weighted, and the suspension stays flat and controlled even when we urge the car aggressively through tight curves. The sticky 20-inch S007 Bridgestone tires stay planted and keep us confident. Things only get unruly during hearty acceleration that causes the tail to come out. It happens rather easily. Most of the time the ride is a comfortable experience, as we expect from a grand tourer. With the sedate GT mode locked in, we examine the cabin. Our DB11 has subdued black leather accented by gold stitching.

Aston Martin is ready with your submarine, Mr. Bond

Aston Martin and Triton Submarines have teamed to build probably the world's most stylish and luxurious way to dive beneath the waves. Called Project Neptune, this two-passenger mini submarine looks like something designed and developed by Q Branch for James Bond. Though to be fair, the evildoers at Spectre might also appreciate a submersible that works a little Aston flair into its design. First announced last September, the Project Neptune submarine has now been revealed in its final production format. Looking equal parts speedboat and lunar rover, the design is dominated by a clear bubble pressure hull that permits an expansive view of the watery world around you. There is seating for three, with room for a pilot and two passengers. The pilot seat is in the middle, positioned slightly behind the two front passenger seats. Capable of diving to depths of 500 meters, the submarine has a top speed of 5 knots — or not quite 6 miles per hour, for all you non-nautical types. While that's not exactly DB11 territory, Florida-based Triton says the the Project Neptune sub has roughly four times the acceleration of the company's flagship model, the 3300/3 submersible. Triton builds a wide range of subs, ranging from pure utilitarian models that can dive to the deepest depths of the ocean floor, to posh creations that cater to super-wealthy clientele with a spirit of adventure. It goes without saying which customer base Project Neptune is meant to entice. If there is any doubt, simply peek inside. Forget any images you might have had of vinyl seats and a maze of pipes and knobs peppering the cabin. The seats are leather-trimmed with Aston Martin logos on the backrests, while the rest of the interior is finished in lightweight carbon fiber. "The interior is quintessentially Aston Martin," says John Ramsay, chief technical officer at Triton Submarines. "The prototypes look incredible, being simultaneously functional and beautiful." Because you don't want to have the exact same mini-sub as your neighbors — perish the thought — there will be three Designer Specifications available. These have been created by the British automaker's own design team, while further customization can be handled by Aston's bespoke service, fittingly called Q by Aston Martin. With the least expensive Aston Martin costing about $150,000, how much will it take to pair your 2019 Vantage with your own Aston mini-sub?