VIDEO: New Aston Martin Rapide Promo Films [Part 3]

Aston Martin has released the third and final part of its promotional trilogy ?True Power Should Be Shared? starring the Rapide four-door coupe. There"s less action in this film as our heroes drive towards their destination, wondering what they are transporting. Well, it turns out to be some kind of a time machine, which saves them from being killed in an ambush and returns them to Lisbon, where everything started. Not what we expected, but at least the Rapide didn?t get blown up. Hit the jump to watch the video.

VIDEO: New Aston Martin Rapide Promo Films [Part 3]

Aston Martin has released the third and final part of its promotional trilogy ?True Power Should Be Shared? starring the Rapide four-door coupe. There"s less action in this film as our heroes drive towards their destination, wondering what they are transporting. Well, it turns out to be some kind of a time machine, which saves them from being killed in an ambush and returns them to Lisbon, where everything started. Not what we expected, but at least the Rapide didn?t get blown up. Hit the jump to watch the video.

By Csaba Daradics

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Aston Martin Launches New V8 Vantage S with 430HP and 7-Speed Transmission

Aston Martin has announced a new addition to its Vantage family in the form of the more driver-focused V8 Vantage S, which is available in both coupe and roadster body styles. The new S models borrow certain styling cues from the V12 Vantage and also come with increased power, a new transmission and a tweaked chassis.

?The Vantage S epitomizes every attribute of the V8 Vantage and pushes the driver experience beyond what we have offered before?, says Dr. Ulrich Bez, CEO of Aston Martin, ?It combines dynamic exhilaration with all the charming finesse, beauty and practicality already associated with the Vantage range?.

The Vantage S" 4.7-liter V8 engine has been further honed to deliver 430HP and 490 Nm (361 lb-ft) of peak torque, representing an increase of 10HP and 20 Nm respectively. The V8 is coupled to a new 7-speed Sportshift II gearbox, which has shorter gear ratios and is 20% quicker than the V8 Vantage?s standard 6-speed Sporshift. In ?Sport? mode, drivers can benefit from even quicker gear changes, accompanied by a more aggressive throttle response.

Other performance upgrades include a revised steering rack ratio, larger front brakes, new springs and dampers and wider rear wheels. Bridgestone supplies the special tires which, according to Aston Martin, optimize road holding and enhance the dynamic feel.

Finally, the Vantage S has a unique exhaust note, thanks to a new exhaust muffler and bypass valve map.

Besides being a performer, the Vantage S is also a looker. The front of the car features a new bumper with a splitter and larger air intake, wider side sills and a redesigned rear bumper, accompanied by 19-inch ?V? spoke alloys as standard. A 10-spoke lightweight forged design is offered as an option.

The V8 Vantage S is available for order now.

Aston Martin Launches New V8 Vantage S with 430HP and 7-Speed Transmission

Aston Martin has announced a new addition to its Vantage family in the form of the more driver-focused V8 Vantage S, which is available in both coupe and roadster body styles. The new S models borrow certain styling cues from the V12 Vantage and also come with increased power, a new transmission and a tweaked chassis.

?The Vantage S epitomizes every attribute of the V8 Vantage and pushes the driver experience beyond what we have offered before?, says Dr. Ulrich Bez, CEO of Aston Martin, ?It combines dynamic exhilaration with all the charming finesse, beauty and practicality already associated with the Vantage range?.

The Vantage S" 4.7-liter V8 engine has been further honed to deliver 430HP and 490 Nm (361 lb-ft) of peak torque, representing an increase of 10HP and 20 Nm respectively. The V8 is coupled to a new 7-speed Sportshift II gearbox, which has shorter gear ratios and is 20% quicker than the V8 Vantage?s standard 6-speed Sporshift. In ?Sport? mode, drivers can benefit from even quicker gear changes, accompanied by a more aggressive throttle response.

Other performance upgrades include a revised steering rack ratio, larger front brakes, new springs and dampers and wider rear wheels. Bridgestone supplies the special tires which, according to Aston Martin, optimize road holding and enhance the dynamic feel.

Finally, the Vantage S has a unique exhaust note, thanks to a new exhaust muffler and bypass valve map.

Besides being a performer, the Vantage S is also a looker. The front of the car features a new bumper with a splitter and larger air intake, wider side sills and a redesigned rear bumper, accompanied by 19-inch ?V? spoke alloys as standard. A 10-spoke lightweight forged design is offered as an option.

The V8 Vantage S is available for order now.

By Csaba Daradics

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Aston Martin Cygnet: $30k - ?25k Mini Based on the Toyota iQ and it"s Official!

We know what you"re thinking but you couldn"t be more wrong; this is not some funky replica kit but an official concept for an Aston Martin mini car! The Cygnet is based on the Toyota iQ and it is expected to go on sale before the end of next year with an estimated base price somewhere around ?20,000 or about $30,000 - ?25,000. The initial plan is for the Cygnet to be offered only to current and future Aston Martin owners but a general release could follow at a later date.

"Now is the right time for Aston Martin to take this first bold step to embark on this special project - made possible with the support of an organisation of Toyota"s stature and capability and the intelligent design and perfect city car package of the iQ," said Aston Martin Chief Executive, Dr Ulrich Bez.

The British automaker did not disclose any specific details, but from the official teaser shots released by Aston Martin it is evident that the Cygnet will feature a new skin while retaining the basic shape of Toyota"s iQ citycar. Expect to see a new interior adorned with Aston Martin-esque details.

"Much work is still required, but I am confident that this project could become reality in the not too distant future," said Bez. "This concept - akin to an exclusive tender to a luxury yacht - will allow us to apply Aston Martin design language, craftsmanship and brand values to a completely new segment of the market."

There"s no word on the powertrain options but it is believed that the Cygnet will be us the iQ"s 1.33-liter four-cylinder petrol that makes 100HP at 6,000 rpm and peak torque of 125Nm at 4,400rpm. It is possible that Aston Martin"s engineers will tweak the iQ"s suspension and brake system.

"The offering of a "Cygnet" with a DBS, DB9 or Vantage is a unique combination of opposites and a novel transport solution allowing intelligent and sensitive mobility on an exclusive and innovative level," Bez noted.

The Toyota iQ donor cars will be built in Japan and then shipped to Aston Martin"s Gaydon factory in the UK where they will be transformed into Cygnets.

And you thought GM"s badge engineering was ridiculous...

VIDEO: New Aston Martin Rapide Promo Films [Part 2]

As promised, Aston Martin released the second part of a new promotional series of films featuring the Rapide sports saloon. Called ?True Power Should Be Shared?, it?s a more of an action-packed sequel, showing longer driving scenes and a spectacular fight sequence, as the story gets more substance. Still, this is no James Bond movie, although seeing and hearing the British four-door coupe kind of makes up for the lack of originality. Video available after the jump.

By Csaba Daradics

Via: Worldcarfans

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Aston Martin Launches Cygnet with Two Special Editions, Priced from $49,600 / ?36,700

To celebrate the start of production of its new Toyota iQ-based Cygnet city car, Aston Martin has announced two special launch edition models called White and Black.

Set to go on sale in April, both are offered with the iQ"s 1.33-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine producing 98HP, matched to either standard 6-speed manual gearbox or optional CVT automated transmission, and each will be produced for a strictly limited run.

The British automaker says the Cygnet with the manual gearbox completes the 0-62mph (100km/h) sprint in 11.6 seconds while returning an estimated combined fuel economy of 56.5 mpg UK, equal to 47 mpg US and 5.0 lt/100km.

The White edition is finished in Snow White paint with a mix of silver mesh, chrome brightwork and White Diamond turned alloy wheels. Inside, it features seats hand trimmed in Pearl white leather with perforated Alcantara inserts, complemented by satin chrome.

The opposite Black edition of the Cygnet comes with a Magic Black metallic paint with a specially developed deep sea green effect, offset by matt black louvers and chrome brightwork. The seats and dash are clad in pure black full grain leather, perforated in a specially-developed diamond pattern, while dark chrome accents adorn the cabin.

Both launch edition come with a bespoke and tailored made Bill Amberg five-piece luggage set in a combination of black leather with technical fabric, comprised of a glove box bag, removable door pocket bag, holdall, garment bag and a collapsible tote bag.

The new Cygnet goes on sale now through Aston Martin?s European dealership network, with the company stating that it is "actively working on expanding market availability by 2012".

Prices for Aston Martin"s new entry-level model start from ?30,995 (equal to US$49,600 and ?36,700 at current exchange rates), or some ?19,000 ($30,800 / ?22,500) more than Toyota"s iQ 1.33.

Launch Edition Black includes:

• Magic Black paint finish
• Twin Matt Satin Stripes
• 16" 16 ? spoke diamond turned alloy wheels with black finish
• Chromed exterior mirror caps
• Pure Black leather
• Diamond shaped perforated leather inserts
• Dark chrome finishes
• Black Wings

Launch Edition White includes:

• Snow White paint finish
• Twin Matt Satin Stripes
• 16" 16 ? spoke diamond turned alloy wheels with white finish
• Chromed exterior mirror caps
• Pearl White leather
• Rectangular shaped perforated Alcantara inserts with silver backing
• Satin Chrome finishes
• White Wings

Both Launch Edition Black and Launch Edition White include:

• Bespoke 5 piece luggage set, designed exclusively for Cygnet by Bill Amberg. The set comprises: a uniquely designed glove box bag, a removable door pocket bag, a holdall, a garment bag and a collapsible tote bag?each piece carefully hand crafted in black leather with technical fabric highlights
• Bespoke Launch Edition sill plaques
• Badging of a Cygnet head to identify the special nature of these cars
• Garage Door Opener
• First Aid Kit

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VIDEO: New Aston Martin Rapide Promo Films [Part 1]

As part of its first foray into the digital campaign medium, Aston Martin will release three new promotional videos, featuring the breathtaking Rapide four-door coupe. Filmed in Lisbon, Portugal, the video follows a group of ?agents? commissioned by a mysterious person to deliver a precious package, without opening it. A very Ronin-ish plot, we know.

The introductory part is available after the jump, while the second and third clips will follow on January 19 and 26, respectively.

?We wanted to deliver a subtle but clever piece of branded entertainment. Something that mirrors the thrill of the drive. Intelligent, dramatic yet very exciting. It"s an action-packed Aston Martin story in three parts, designed to entertain our audience. We"re not hard selling, we"re showcasing. After all it is the thinking man"s (and woman"s) performance car?, Film Director Donnie Masters from Serious Pictures said.

By Csaba Daradics

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VIDEO: Aston Martin V12 Vantage Meets Gulf DBR1-2 Racer

Aston Martin has released a new video to promote the connection between its road cars and racing models, and in particular, the firm"s 6.0 liter V12 engines that sits at the heart of the One-77, DBS, DB9, Rapide and V12 Vantage but also the 2010 DBR1-2 Le Mans race car. The new footage shows the 517-horsepower V12 Vantage riding along Aston Martin"s DBR1-2 LMP1 race car which competed throughout 2009 and 2010 having won the Le Mans Series in 2009 while taking three podiums in 2010. Watch the video after the break.

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Aston Martin Launches New Apple App, Includes Virtual Accelerometer and More

It seems like every automaker is jumping on the Apple App-wagon these days and Aston Martin is no exception. The British firm today announced the availability of its new iPhone and iPod Touch app, the Aston Martin Explore, which comes with a variety of goodies including an acoustically accurate accelerometer and real life content, such as sounds from the entire current model line-up being driven to extreme on the track.

The Aston Martin ‘Explore’ app also offers exclusive content such as a virtual tour of the company’s Gaydon headquarters in the UK, including design and manufacturing facilities plus access to never before seen images and sound clips.

The new app is available to download for free from the iTunes App Store, with a version for the iPad to follow early next year. The British company added that it will also launch a premium [sic] Aston Martin ‘Experience’ app in the first quarter of 2011.

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Aston Martin"s Low-iQ Cygnet Caught on the Streets of Düsseldorf

If we had to give a prize for the most ridiculous new car of 2010, it would go hands down to Aston Martin"s Cygnet luxury mini. The British firm"s pint-size model is nothing more than a Toyota iQ (Scion iQ in North America) decorated with fancy-pansy wraps - something like those silly replicas we show you from time to time with an even sillier price tag.

The Cygnet won"t go on sale before early 2011, but apparently, Aston Martin has already began shipping cars in Europe, most likely for use by the firm"s dealers, though this particular example may have been used by a company exec. This here left-hand drive example with British license plates was spotted by a forum member of Autogespot on the roads of Düsseldorf, which is the capital city of the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia. For more photos of the Cygnet, follow the break.

Source: Autogespot

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