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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Aston Martin Adds Three New Special Edition Models to DB9 Line-Up

A new trio of new DB9 offerings are joining the Aston Martin line-up, in what can only be described as a tailor-fit sports car bonanza. The three models are named “Carbon Black”, “Quantum Silver” and “Morning Frost”, and can be had in coupe or convertible flavor.

The Morning Frost is more luxury-oriented and boasts a pearl-white paintjob, silver grille and brake calipers. Inside, a Piano Black center console, silver stitching and real polished glass switchgear complement the bronze leather trim. The Carbon Black and Quantum Silver lean towards the sports side, featuring more aggressive accents, including a blacked out grille and a sportier exhaust system with graphite tail pipes.

Aston Martin offers two sets of 10-spoke 19-inch alloys for the three models, with slightly different designs and black or silver finishes.

All cars are fitted with the Touchtronic II six-speed automatic transaxle transmission, mounted on the transaxle, which -according to the company- gives the car perfect 50:50 weight balance.

The special edition DB9s are available to order through Aston Martin’s dealership network.

By Csaba Daradics

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Mercedes and Aston Martin Working Together to Save Maybach?

Mercedes-Benz finally appears to be getting its head straight in regards to the laughable Maybach brand. The Financial Times indicates that Mercedes is courting Aston Martin to help bring the Maybach name back from the brink; the plan is to allow the British automaker to both design and manufacture Benz's Bentley competitor.

All these murmurings involve a lot of back-and-forth; in this case, Aston would do Mercedes's Maybach work, while Mercedes could provide powertrain tech to the British marque (think smaller displacement engines). Apparently outsourcing the next Maybach's assembly and coachwork to Aston could be cheaper than if Mercedes did it on its own.

As for other claims that Mercedes could give the gift of 4WD chassis to the marque of Bond...well, let's hope that's not the case; no one wants to see the Lagonda SUV make it to production. Much like Jaguar pursuing an SUV (we already have Range Rovers), this just doesn't need to happen.

By Phil Alex

Source: Financial Times (Sub.Req)

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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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Silverstone Puts You Behind the Wheel of a Lamborghini from as Low as US$95 [with Videos]

Suppose you are cash strapped motoring enthusiast living in Northampton, England. You live in a council flat and own a third-hand Ford Sierra RS Cosworth. You’re earning a steady if unimpressive income of £180 (US$284) a week, of which you manage to squirrel away a small amount into your savings.

From this, you deduce that your chances of getting behind a £149,000+ (US$235,450) Lamborghini Gallardo are about as good as bedding Natalie Portman. What is a poor boy to do?

Well, I have good news my (imaginary) friend! Silverstone Circuit, home of the British Grand Prix, is now offering a £99 (US$156 or €133) Supercar Thrill package that lets you take the wheel of a Lamborghini, Aston Martin, Ferrari or Lotus for a few hot laps around the famous circuit. There's also a limited offer on a Lamborghini Thrill package for December 19 only with a discount that brings the price down to £60 or US$95 / €80.

And that’s not all. You’ll also get tips from Silverstone’s very own racing experts, professional photography of your driving antics and a certificate that you can hang up on your wall. And it’s available to anyone who’s able to fork up the cash, not just those poncy weekend track jockeys in their souped up Golf GTIs.

Your day starts with a briefing whereby a professional racing instructor takes you through the basics of track driving including how to identify the racing line, how to corner correctly and how to anticipate and compensate for oversteer and understeer.

You’ll then put it all into practice on the track, with your professional co-driver egging you on the whole time. It’s surely one of those things you buy for a friend or relative and then end up keeping for yourself.

The Supercar Thrill package is just one of several “experiences” Silverstone is offering including rally days and the chance to get behind the wheel of a “baby F1” car (kind of like go-karting for big boys), all of which can be found on the circuit’s official website.

By Tristan Hankins

Silverstone Experience Links: Supercar Thrill and Lamborghini Thrill

Photos: Silverstone Experience, Videos: Youtube, Via: Independent

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Aston Martin Announces New Vantage GT4 Racer for 2011

It's only been a year since Aston Martin launched its Vantage GT4 racing car, but the British maker has already prepared an updated model for the 2011 season. The revised Vantage GT4 is said to be inspired from the firm's V12 Vantage road car, giving it enhanced aerodynamics and increased downforce, while it also features a number of other improvements.

The 2011 GT4 is closely based on the V8 Vantage road car, with which it is shares the same aluminium chassis, base engine and suspension designs.

The aerodynamic changes up front that include a new splitter, help increase downforce and direct cooling air to the brakes and radiator. At the back, Aston Martin added the V12's larger boot 'flip'. The 2011 car also gets a new carbon fibre diffuser and rear underfloor, which according to Aston Martin, create an area of low pressure under the rear of the GT4, thus increasing downforce while also channeling more air through a new rear-mounted high capacity transmission oil cooler.

Along with the aero upgrades and engine tweaks, Aston Martin is also offering as a first the option of a race-developed Bosch ABS and traction control system that has been specifically calibrated by Bosch Motorsport for the Vantage GT4.

The company said that along with its own one-make series, the Aston Martin GT4 Challenge of Great Britain, the new Vantage GT4 will also be eligible for the European GT4 Cup and all other series with a GT4 class.

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Aston Martin Quietly Unwraps Rapide Luxe Special Edition

What's better than a sleek Aston Martin Rapide? No, not some German competitor, but the Rapide Luxe, a special edition version of the British sports saloon that quietly appeared on the automaker's official website.

Those expecting more power or even better handling are going to be disappointed, as the Rapide Luxe is all about trim and styling offering extra color options, new wheel designs, added standard content and a bespoke six-piece luggage set.

Customers can choose from a range of colors including the Concours Blue and Quantum Silver. The car rides on 20-inch alloys, just like the standard Rapide, but the wheels wrapped around in Bridgestone Potenza's feature a different, 20-spoke design with a polished finish.

Inside, the grain leather that covers almost everything can also be specified in colors from the Fast Track or Contemporary range, matching it to the exterior tones or even creating an interesting contrast. Other visual improvements include unique Rapide Luxe sill plates, main control switches with glass face and a secondary glass key.

Ventilated front and rear seats come as standard, alongside the Rear Seat Entertainment (RSE) system that features two 6.5-inch LCD screens, integrated into the back of front seat headrests and "optimally positioned at eye level".

The six-piece luggage set, made of course from the finest leather, can be ordered in the same Fast Track or Contemporary range of colors and consists of a small, two medium and a large hold-all, a beauty case and a garment bag.

Nothing has changed under the hood, so the 6.0-liter V12 continues to deliver 477 hp and 600 Nm (443 lb-ft) of torque allowing the Rapide Luxe to hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.2 seconds and reach a top speed of 296 km/h or 184 mph.

For details on pricing, buyers will have to contact their local Aston Martin dealer.

By Csaba Daradics

Source: Aston Martin , Via: Autoblog.nl

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