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Aston Martin Rapide AMR a limited-edition last hurrah before the DBX

The Aston Martin Advanced Operations department would like you to meet the Rapide AMR. The second Aston Martin product to highlight race-to-road synergies after the DB11 AMR, the production version follows the concept shown at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show. Unless the auto market suddenly veers back to sedans, the "hardcore" Rapide AMR will be one of the carmaker's last big swings at the four-door fastback until the Rapide retires in 2020 to make way for the DBX crossover. Its tech updates were tested and proved at the Nurburgring earlier this year, resulting in final specs that have changed slightly from the concept. While the UK and European Union get a version of the 6.0-liter V12 that makes 595 horsepower, the U.S. and the rest of the world must make do with 580 hp, a 28-hp increase over the Rapide S. Torque holds steady worldwide at 465 pound-feet, same as in the Rapide S. Aston Martin quotes a 0-60 mile-per-hour time of 4.2 seconds, also matching the S version, but a top speed of 205 mph, two mph beyond the standard sibling. The two Rapides could never be confused because of the AMR's vented carbon fiber hood, front splitter, sills, decklid, decklid spoiler, and rear diffuser wrapped around a new quad exhaust. Black mesh fills the grille, Zagato-like running lights rest at the front corners. The sedan sits 10 millimeters lower, but on forged 21-inch wheels — the largest ever fitted to an Aston Martin — with spokes designed to aid in brake cooling. The carbon ceramic brakes are a first for the Rapide, six-piston calipers doing the work up front, four pistons in the rear. Indecisive buyers can start with one of three exterior design themes: Standard, Silhouette, or Signature. The first two start with either Mariana Blue, Scintilla Silver, Lightning Silver or Onyx Black, but Standard puts AMR Lime accents on the splitter, sills, and rear diffuser. Silhouette swaps the Lime dainties for a full-length stripe in China Grey or Clubsport White. Signature goes full race, with Stirling Green the primary color and a Lime strip and Lime accents hinting at Aston Martin Racing liveries. Inside, Alcantara with embroidered AMR logos and welting in Lime or Galena Silver seats flank a full-length carbon fiber center tunnel. Before adding options like carbon fiber door handles or a One-77 steering wheel, the price of entry is $240,000, a $34,000 premium over the Rapide S. The first of just 210 cars will be delivered in the later part of the year.

You can't buy an Aston Martin GT8, but you can configure one

Aston Martin launched an online configurator for the Vantage GT8, a limited-edition sports car that will be sold in other markets. The GT8, revealed last month, is arguably the ultimate version of the Vantage to date: all the extreme aero from the previous GT12, but with less mass up front. Its atmospheric 4.7-liter V8 engine churns out 446 horsepower through a six-speed manual or a seven-speed automatic to the rear wheels. The overall package represents the most direct translation we've seen of Aston Martin Racing's victorious racers to the road. And with turbo power enveloping the factory at Gaydon (and the AMG engine workshop in Germany), it may be the last of the great naturally aspirated Astons ever. The company will make 150 copies. The configurator offers a choice of 35 exterior colors, along with eight "accent packs," four special racing-inspired liveries, a quartet of wheel choices, six colors of brake caliper, a whole mess of carbon-fiber exterior components, and an aggressive aero kit. On aesthetic grounds alone, we'd be inclined to leave off those oversized wings, spec most of the carbon trim pieces, go with a subdued shade of green, and just the right amount of red to make it pop. Waste a few minutes (or hours) with the web tool and see how you'd spec yours. Related Video:

Aston Martin to raise funds for new models including CUV, hybrid

Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer named three leads for new vehicle programs when he took the reins, now the company is looking for the money to give those leads something to do. Reuters reports that the Gaydon firm is considering debt or equity financing to raise 100 to 150 million pounds ($156M to $234M US) in funding for "an expansion from the current model range," according to an unnamed source. On top of that investment round, Aston Martin is overhauling its working capital streams to unlock more funds. As one of the industry's few remaining independent carmakers, the company has an intense five years ahead of it, working to revamp its current vehicles with a 500-million-pound investment, entering new segments to grow sales to roughly 10,000 units annually from 4,200 cars in 2013, and pay down hundreds of millions of pounds in current debt. The big high notes observers will be looking for over the next few years are the successor to the DB9, pegged for 2016, profitability predicted in 2017, a huge debt note due in 2018, and the formal end of the recovery period in 2020. Our own eyes will be locked on the DB10 in Spectre, naturally, and the Lagonda-honoring Taraf in other markets, hopefully. At least one of the new vehicles is expected to be a crossover, a segment Aston seemingly cannot ignore now that Bentley and Rolls-Royce are committed to making plays there. However, Reuters says an official announcement of what we can expect won't come until the 2015 Geneva Motor Show. Among the other models said to be up for funding? Sedans (perhaps including a Rapide replacement?) and an unspecified hybrid.