• Fastest and most agile Vantage ever; ultimate performance interpretation of the Vantage range
• Purposeful, striking and functional styling signalling performance capabilities
• Everyday usability associated with a modern Aston Martin
• Race-derived technology used throughout
Saturday, October 24, 2009
2010 Aston Martin V12 Vantage
2010 Aston Martin DBS Volante
Aston
The soft-top version of Aston's beefy DBS will top 191 mph, the company says, and sprint from 0 to 62 mph in 4.3 seconds, figures that put the DBS Volante in the top echelon of open-top supercars.
2010 Aston Martin One-77
Aston Martin One-77 technical showcase made its debut the Geneva Auto Salon on 3 March 2009. Chassis no.1 was on display as an exposé throughout the show detailing the quintessence of Aston Martin engineering and design expertise.
The One-77 is Aston Martin’s definitive sports car, one that epitomises everything Aston Martin from technology, the hand-craftsmanship of the hand rolled aluminium panels to the attention to detail. A culmination of all the marque’s know-how, the Aston Martin One-77 delivers effortless beauty guaranteed to stir the senses with performance potential eclipsing any previous Aston Martin.
With the performance and durability phase of the Aston Martin One-77’s intensive development programme soon to commence, the 79th Geneva Auto Salon provides the perfect stage on which to reveal the remarkable engineering, advanced technology and exotic materials that lie beneath the Aston Martin One-77’s extraordinary exterior.
For Aston Martin’s Chief Executive, Dr Ulrich Bez, revealing the Aston Martin One-77’s secrets is a proud moment: “Right from the very beginning of the project the vision for Aston Martin One-77 was very simple: It had to combine high-technology with hand-built craftsmanship, and demonstrate the unique capabilities and passion of our designers, engineers and technical partners.
“Quite simply it had to be the ultimate expression of Aston Martin. As you can now see, we have achieved that goal in magnificent style.”
Chris Porritt, Aston Martin One-77 Programme Manager continued: “We wanted to create something that wows you as much when you see what’s under the skin as the exterior styling itself. We started by identifying the most technologically exciting front-engined, rear-wheel drive cars in the world: those from the DTM race series. We then applied the principles and technology that feature heavily in their design and translated it to a road car application.”
Consequently the Aston Martin One-77’s structural core is a lightweight and immensely rigid carbon fibre monocoque. Conceived and designed at Aston Martin’s Gaydon HQ, the monocoque, or ‘tub’, has been built in partnership with Multimatic (MTC). As world leaders in carbon composite technology, advanced vehicle analysis and dynamic simulation, MTC brings unrivalled specialist capabilities to the exacting challenge of the Aston Martin One-77 programme.
Employing the classic formula of double wishbones at each corner, the Aston Martin One-77 features inboard suspension front and rear, with pushrods employed to transfer vertical suspension movements to the horizontally mounted spring/damper units. A practice taken directly from racing car design, the main advantages of inboard suspension are a reduction in unsprung weight and the ability to package the suspension components more effectively.
The dampers are fully adjustable and feature advanced Dynamic Suspension Spool Valve (DSSV) technology; a world-first for a road car application. These special valves are state-of-the-art even at the highest levels of motorsport, and use high-precision machined components to enable the shock-absorbing characteristics of the damper to be changed without having to remove them from the car, as is the norm.
Underlining the truly bespoke nature of the Aston Martin One-77, once delivered to its owner, the car’s suspension characteristics will be precisely set-up by Aston Martin engineers to suit their exact requirements, from settings suitable for the ultimate long-distance GT, to a machine capable of conquering the Nürburgring Nordschleife.
While functionality and efficiency are paramount in the design and construction of the Aston Martin One-77, so too is aesthetic beauty. To this end every single component has been crafted from the finest materials with absolute attention to detail. From the mesmerising weave of the glossy carbon fibre tub and the abstract, sculptural beauty of the dry sump’s oil reservoir, to the unerring precision of the billet machined aluminium suspension mounts, the Aston Martin One-77’s rolling chassis is an automotive masterpiece.
Of course the irony is that the vast majority of these exquisite components will be hidden from view in the finished car, yet each and every piece is a work of art in its own right. It’s this extraordinary workmanship and money-no-object commitment to quality that makes the Aston Martin One-77 unique.
Naturally, such a spectacular chassis demands – and gets – an equally exceptional drivetrain. It comes in the form of an immensely potent 7.3-litre, naturally aspirated V12 engine. Thanks to the adoption of a dry-sump oil system the engine is mounted 100mm lower than in any previous V12-engined Aston Martin road car, which helps keep the Aston Martin One-77’s centre-of-gravity as low as possible. To further aid agility and endow the Aston Martin One-77 with progressive handling and stable, predictable on-limit behaviour, the engine is also mounted 257mm aft relative to the front wheel centreline. In so doing the front-mid-engined layout shared by all of Aston Martin’s current road car range has been taken to a new level.
The Aston Martin One-77’s magnificent power unit is an extreme evolution of the 6.0-litre V12 engines fitted to the Aston Martin DBS, DB9 and new V12 Vantage models. Like the collaboration with MTC for the build of the chassis, Aston Martin has chosen a world-leading partner with which to develop the motor: legendary engine builders, Cosworth. It has proved to be the perfect collaboration, as Chris Porritt explains.
“Our brief to the engine team was for them to take the 6.0-litre V12 as far as it could go, both in terms of output and weight reduction. The targets were a power output of no less than 700bhp with a 10 per cent reduction in engine mass. Incredibly, the Aston Martin and Cosworth engineers achieved a mass reduction of some 25 per cent, and although we’ve yet to complete the final engine calibration work, I’m confident we’ll see in excess of 700bhp. It’s an awesome accomplishment, but one that’s typical of the One-77 project, for it has consistently brought out the very best in everyone involved.”
Wearing Pirelli P Zero Corsa tyres (255/35 ZR20 front, 335/30 ZR20 rear) developed specifically for the Aston Martin One-77, all 700+bhp is transmitted to the road through the rear wheels via a new six-speed gearbox. Controlled via column-mounted paddles behind the steering wheel, this robotised sequential manual is a new generation of Aston Martin’s familiar transmission. Though it is made specifically for the Aston Martin One-77 and features specially strengthened internals to cope with the tremendous power and torque, the lessons learned in its development will ultimately find their way into the company’s series production models.
It’s a mark of the inherent capabilities of Aston Martin’s acclaimed lightweight Carbon Ceramic Matrix brake technology that it has been used as the basis for the Aston Martin One-77’s braking system. The internals of the callipers have been re-engineered to transmit less heat from the brake pads into the brake fluid, while the discs themselves have been developed to ensure the maximum possible contact area between the face of the disc and the brake pads for improved stopping power. Due to the Aston Martin One-77’s increased performance, special attention has also been paid to brake cooling, as the brakes have less time to cool between bursts of acceleration.
With a projected weight of 1,500kg the Aston Martin One-77 will occupy the very highest echelons of road car performance. Top speed is confidently predicted to be in excess of 200mph, with a 0-60mph time in approximately 3.5sec. Perhaps more importantly, thanks to the purity of a front-engined, rear-drive layout, the responsiveness and immense tractability of a naturally aspirated V12 and the low mass, high-rigidity properties of a carbon fibre chassis, the Aston Martin One-77 promises a driving experience of unrivalled intensity and excitement while representing the world’s most desirable automotive art form.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
2009 Mansory Cyrus Aston Martin DBS and DB9
Already for more than 20 years, the Bavarian company MANSORY has been developing and producing fascinating car modifications for demanding customers all over the world. The latest creation of the top-class manufacturer is called MANSORY CYRUS and is based on the Aston Martin DBS or DB9. Perfect processing and an elaborate technology are the hallmarks of this masculine aerodynamic power pack. A coilover suspension provides the best road holding and emphasises the striking rims in XXL. The refinement is perfected by an exclusive interior programme.
Haute Couture on wheels
Tailor-made processing and perfect surfaces confirm the superb quality of the MANSORY designer outfit. The CYRUS aerodynamics components are made of extremely light „prepreg autoclav carbon" and do not only include wing extensions for the front and back, but also side skirt attachments and linings. At the front axle, a newly designed front skirt with enlarged air inlets provides the optimal ventilation for the twelve-cylinder aggregate. The CYRUS front is visually enhanced with the newly designed carbon bonnet. With its two slotted "power domes" additional fresh air is directed to the front motor. Also at the tail, the refining engineers have invented something extraordinary in order to perfect the visual appearance of the Aston Martin. The newly designed rear skirt with the integrated diffuser emphasises the superior look and provides space for four stainless steel end pipes of the sonorous sport exhaust system.
Design wheels in XXL
The optimal road grip is provided by the 9x20 and 10,5x21 inch rims in combination with Dunlop Sport Maxx tyres measuring 255/30ZR20 at the front and 295/25ZR21 at the back. The design of the ultra-light forged wheel thereby unites sportiness and elegance and perfectly fills out the wheel houses. In addition, an optimally adjusted coilover suspension lowers the centre of gravity of this noble sports car and renders perfect road holding characteristics.
Luxurious atmosphere in the MANSORY super sports car
The CYRUS driver will take his seat in a elaborately refined interior which is nothing short of the exterior. The entire modification includes pedals and foot rests made of aluminium as well as exquisite door sills and head rests with embroidered CYRUS logos. MANSORY enhances the interior with a set of tailor-made carbon parts for the dash board and centre console. Generally, the noble interior is only lined with best quality materials. Decoration stitches by expert hand on the dash board and the seats render visual high-lights and perfect the significantly beautiful overall impression of the complete leather equipment. The ergonomically re-designed steering wheel with airbag lies especially well in the hand.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Arsenal Player Nicklas Bendtner Crashes $270K Aston Martin
Nicklas Bendtner, striker for Premier League's North London Arsenal, wrecked his Aston Martin DBS on the A1 in spectacular fashion, crashing through a fence and smashing into trees. The 21-year-old walked away uninjured but the $270K Aston was totaled. No other vehicles were involved in the accident.
Bendtner's father has said the Arsenal striker knows he is "lucky" to have escaped from a car crash earlier this week without more serious injuries.
Initially the crash was referred to as a "minor accident". The pictures tell otherwise.
The Danish international is understood to have sustained cuts to his knee and pains in his shoulder
The 21 year-old's father said that despite being shaken up from the accident, his son was exercising gently again and appreciated how lucky he had been.
"He trained by himself on Monday on a bike in order to be careful and watch out," Thomas Bendtner said. "He is badly shaken and has some bruises but knows he was very lucky."
Bendtner is expected to be back in action this weekend for Arsenal's Premier League trip to Blackburn.
Bendtner is no stranger to "accidents".
On 5 May 2009 the 21-year-old was controversially shown leaving a night club hours after Arsenal's 3-1 home defeat by Manchester United in the Champions League semi-final. Bendtner was pictured with his belt undone - and we're not talking about his seat belt here - his jeans were pulled down.
"I may be young, but my actions were a poor error of judgment and something I deeply regret," said the Dane. Bendtner was a second-half substitute for Arsenal, who lost 4-1 on aggregate to defending champions United.
Aston Martin Rapide
It’s been a long time coming. We first reported on the Rapide – Aston Martin’s first four-door sportscar – back in 2006, when it appeared in concept form at the Detroit show. Rumours and speculation followed for three years, until January 2009, when the first official pictures were finally released to reveal a more rounded car than the concept, but still with the characteristic darkened glass sunroof and hatchback.
Now, at last, we have the full production version in all its glory at Frankfurt, complete with four ‘swan wing’ doors and a 301-litre luggage compartment. In the rear, two individual hand-trimmed seats offer all the comforts you might hope for – such as personal face-level heating and air-conditioning. That spacious luggage compartment can be accessed from the cabin via a moveable bulkhead, while a finger-on-the-button is enough to see the rear seats fold to create a flat loading space – now with a capacity of 750 litres.
As anticipated, the Rapide is powered by a 6.0-litre V12, putting out 470bhp at 6000rpm and developing a satisfying 443lb ft of torque at 5000rpm. The result is 0-62mph in 5.3 seconds. As standard, the transmission is a six-speed Touchtronic 2 automatic, with steering-column-mounted magnesium paddles. And, while the Rapide is built on an extrapolation of the ‘V/H Architecture’ platform, the backbone of the DBS, DB9 and Vantage, in many ways it is – as Aston claims – ‘a new car from the ground up’.
Says Chief Executive, Dr. Ulrich Bez, “With Rapide, the entire family can enjoy their Aston Martin together in unison, in an invigorating yet comfortable environment, sitting low, with plenty of visibility from every seat and with new levels of comfort, refinement and entertainment.”
Director of Design, Marek Reichman, adds to that: “There is a real sense of proportion with this car, akin to a tailored suit; the new double grille gives more presence on the road while the iconic signature side strake has been lengthened through to the rear doors to enhance its lateral proportions in a subtle, yet elegant way. The car’s purity makes it look right from every angle.”
First deliveries of the Rapide are scheduled for early 2010 and it will be available globally through Aston Martin’s 125-strong dealership network. The price is expected to be around £150,000
Aston Martin Threatened as Parent Company Falters
Back in 2007, Ford unloaded luxury sports car-maker Aston Martin to Kuwaiti investment firm The Investment Dar at the peak of the market. While the $925 million deal was attractive to the Dar then, two years and a global economic slump have left the firm in serious financial trouble that could threaten Aston Martin.
2009 has not been a good year for the Dar. At the end of last year, the firm began to hint at serious trouble when it began searching for $1 billion in loans to refinance and restructure its debt. In April of this year, the firm defaulted on a $100 million Islamic Bond and, at the same time, trading of the firm's shares was suspended after it failed to produce its 2008 financial records on time. The global economic slowdown, combined with the big drop in oil prices, has wreaked havoc on the Dar's books.
The danger to Aston Martin is substantial. The Dar owns 51% of the British automaker and has said that it may sell off assets to shore up its finances, though it did not elaborate on which assets may be on the block. It certainly doesn't help matters any that Aston Martin is struggling as well, having laid off 600 workers, or one-third of its workforce, and enforced temporary plant closures to save money during the downturn.
It's not the end of the road for the Dar yet, though. The firm has signed a "standstill agreement" with creditors and investors that will freeze claims until the end of the year and give the Dar time to straighten out its finances before it begins paying claims. The firm has also set up a claims process and requested that its banks and investors notify them of the size and nature of their claim. A temporary supervisor has also been assigned by Kuwait's central bank to oversee the Dar's debt restructuring and financial record publication.
"The Standstill Agreement represents good progress in the Company's restructuring process," said The Investment Dar Chairman and CEO Adnan Al Musallam in a statement. "TID's Board of Directors and the Management remain wholly committed to the Standstill Agreement and to working constructively with the Coordinating Committee towards a consensual restructuring plan. This Standstill Agreement is an important step that will assist us in formulating the consensual restructuring plan expeditiously. We thank the Coordinating Committee and their advisers for their commitment to our mutual objectives."
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