2025 Aston Martin Vantage on 2040-cars

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Aston Martin DBS 770 Ultimate is a little more powerful, different looking

Aston Martin is bringing this iteration of the DBS sports car to a close, so of course it's doing so with one more special edition: the DBS 770 Ultimate. It is one of the most powerful versions of the car, and has a selection of unique features. And like so many other special high-end sports cars, every example has been sold. The headlining feature of the 770 is its extra power. It makes 759 horsepower, 44 more than the standard version, and basically the same as the DBS GT Zagato. Torque remains the same, though. A tweaked intake and ignition system plus 7% more boost pressure is responsible for the extra power. Top speed has not increased, though, sticking to 211 mph. There are other light upgrades both performance-wise and design-wise. Additional vents have been added to the hood and a new splitter added to the front; both modifications are meant to improve cooling. More carbon fiber trim on the outside along with side sills, a diffuser, and unique wheels make it look more aggressive. The steering column has solid mounts for better steering feel. The front end is 25% stiffer than before, and the whole car is stiffer by 3% thanks to a redesigned front subframe and rear undertray. The transmission and adaptive suspension have been retuned, too. But it has the same carbon ceramic brakes and mechanical limited-slip differential as the regular car. The interior gets some attention, too. The standard seats are Sports Plus units with more aggressive ones available. A special strap and buckle have been added to the center console. Of course, the interior and the exterior can be further customized with different colors, materials, graphics and more. As previously mentioned, every DBS 770 Ultimate has already been sold. Only 499 will be built, 300 of which are coupes and 199 are convertibles. Aston didn't give a price, which is understandable when it's not even really on sale in a traditional way. But we're sure each one will go for a fair premium over a standard model. Production starts soon, with deliveries coming in the third quarter of this year. Related video:

Aston Martin bringing two surprises to Pebble Beach

Aston Martin has at least three treats planned for its "strongest-ever presence" at this month's Pebble Beach shindig. Two are surprises, including a "very special, ultra-exclusive" vehicle that will celebrate the first decade of the company's Q by Aston Martin personalization service. The department that turns individual taste into automotive reality has done something said to "encapsulate the brand’s winning track bloodline, with a nod to success at the 24 Hours of Le Mans." We don't know what the model will be based on. Some muse it could be another limited-run special like the V12 Speedster DBR1. The cynic in us won't be surprised to find a DBX with special colorways, leather embossing and checkered flag motifs resting on a northern California plinth.   The second surprise is a "high performance model" — as if Aston Martin makes anything else — that will go into series production, expected to be the V12 Vantage Roadster. The coupe dropped in March, a wild sendoff to the littlest 12-cylinder, front-engine sports car in the company's lineup and the last Vantage to get the twin-turbo 5.2-liter V12. The note about series production wouldn't mean unlimited production, though. There will be only 333 examples of the V12 Vantage, Roadster numbers could be even further restricted. Whatever it is, this one's going to be revealed on Friday, August 19 at the English maker's private Aston Martin Club 1913 that's been relocated to provide a better view of the lawn during the Concours.  The final goody is an update on the progress of the Valhalla, the mid-engined hybrid supercar with a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 and three electric motors producing 937 hp and 738 lb-ft. We hear there will be a mockup of the revised interior that potential buyers will be able to sit in, experiencing the driver-focused, F1-like seating arrangements. Assuming nothing has changed since the Valhalla prototype exterior made its U.S. debut at last year's Pebble Beach, the coupe will be limited to 999 examples, first deliveries planned for just two years from now. Related video: 2023 Aston Martin DBX707 walkaround

Aston Martin barn finds highlight $16M Bonhams sale

Every year, Bonhams holds an auction of classic Aston Martins at the automaker's historic home in Newport Pagnell. But never has it brought in as much as it did this year. The 16th annual Aston Martin Sale, held this past weekend, raked in an impressive GBP10,280,275 in sales – equivalent to nearly $16 million at current exchange rates. Among the highlights of the 50 classic Astons sold were a number of barn finds, including a pair of DB Mark II sports saloons from 1958 that doubled the pre-sale estimates to sell for GBP104,540 and GBP115,740, respectively. Those weren't even the top lots of the day, though. A 1962 DB4 Series IV Vantage Convertible that was once owned by legendary thespian Sir Peter Ustinov sold for GBP1,513,500, while a 1966 DB5 Vantage Convertible went for GBP1,524,700 to claim the top spot. "The quintessentially British marque of Aston Martin attracts interest from enthusiasts across the world, a fact demonstrated here again this year as we took bids from all corners of the globe," said Bonhams' Tim Schofield. "The sale attracted a larger and more cosmopolitan attendance than ever before, achieving an excellent result." The auction was complemented by the Spring Concours held by the Aston Martin Owners Club down the road at Woburn Abbey in nearby Bedfordshire, bringing out a record assembly of 350 Astons old and new. The company used the occasion to mark the UK debut of the new Lagonda Taraf as well. BIGGEST BONHAMS SALE TO DATE AT ASTON MARTIN WORKS - 16th annual Aston Martin Sale sees total transactions top GBP10m - Sir Peter Ustinov-owned DB4 Series IV Vantage Convertible nets GBP1.5m - More than 50 sports cars and 170 items of automobilia change hands 11 May 2015, Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire: In its 60th anniversary year Aston Martin Works played host to another hugely busy Bonhams Aston Martin Sale on Saturday – with GBP10.3m worth of rare and prized sports cars changing hands. The historic home of the great British luxury brand was the venue for the 16th annual Bonhams Aston Martin Sale, which saw around 50 classic Aston Martins sold. The annual sale is recognised as a globally-significant occasion for Aston Martin collectors and enthusiasts around the world. The 2015 event was the biggest to date, setting a sales total of GBP10,280,275 and witnessing a fascinating and diverse collection of Aston Martin-related automobilia go under the hammer in several hours of exciting and highly-charged bidding.