2020 Aston Martin Vantage AMR The need for the fabulously well-to-do to spend ever more of their untold wealth on limited edition automobiles continues unabated. Aston Martin, for instance, after recently announcing a customized Vantage limited to but 200 units worldwide, has unveiled an even rarer bird that takes 59 of those 200 to an even higher plateau. Think of it as a limited edition of a limited edition. The basis of all this is the twin-turbocharged V8-powered Vantage with its 510 horsepower scooting the new AMR version to 100 kilometres an hour in just 4.0 seconds thanks to its seven-speed manual transmission — with AMShift automatic “blipping” to coordinate downshifts and full-throttle upshifts. Speaking of the sophisticated stick shift, Aston Martin Lagonda President and Group CEO Andy Palmer said, “When I joined this company, customers asked and, as a gearbox engineer and racer, I promised that we would always offer a manual transmission in our lineup. The Vantage AMR not only honours that commitment but sets us apart from our competitors in continuing to offer a three-pedal option.” The first 141 examples of the AMR will be available in either Sabiro Blue, Onyx Black, China Grey or White Stone. The final 59 — that limited edition within a limited edition — are a celebration of the 60th anniversary of Aston Martin’s famed success at the 1959 24 Hours of Le Mans with its iconic DBR1. Named “Vantage 59”, this top-of-the-line Vantage features a unique Stirling Green and Lime exterior paint scheme and Dark Knight leather interior (Christian Bale not included, but you could likely get Aston Martin to design you a matching utility belt), finished with a signature AMR lime stripe and will cost $242,494.25. Regular limited edition models will cost but a piffling $212,744.25. Aston Martin, meanwhile, continues to race at Le Mans, the Vantage GTE to take part in this year’s GTE Pro category. “With the Vantage GTE set to race again at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June,” says Palmer,“ I hope that those customers who are lucky enough to take ownership of a Vantage 59, will have even more reason to celebrate with their new
Origin: Aston Martin going hyper-limited with Vantage special editions
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Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Volante is a $443,000 hair dryer
2020 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera VolanteAston Martin Aston Martin has dropped the top of its massive grand tourer, as the DBS Superleggera Volante joins the lineup. Volante’ is just Aston Martin’s fancy way of saying convertible’ — which, really, means you can have some wind in your hair while rocketing from coast-to-coast. The DBS Superleggera Volante has to be one of the best-looking convertibles out there, and thanks to the rear end treatment, it looks like it may actually create a truly airy, open-cabin feel, unlike many modern supercar-based convertibles. That roof takes just 16 seconds to fully close. Part of what makes the silhouette look so good is that the top measures just 10.2 inches once fully stowed. The top itself is available in no less than eight colours, and a carbon fibre finish is available for the windshield frame and tonneau cover. Powering one of the world’s most expensive hair dryers is a sonorous, twin-turbocharged 5.2-litre V12 that makes 715 horsepower and 664 lb.-ft. of torque. Coupled to an eight-speed automatic, the Volante rockets from zero to 100 km/h in just 3.6 seconds, before topping out at 340 km/h. This makes it the fastest convertible to ever come out of Aston’s factory. The speed is an impressive feat considering the DBS Superleggera’s weight — the name itself means super light’ in Italian — set at 4,107 pounds dry, some 375 more than the coupe. The zero-to-100 km/h run is only affected by a barely noticeable two-tenths of a second. Helping the car stick to the ground is a new aerodynamic package providing up to 390 pounds of downforce, only 6.6 less than the coupe. The front spoiler and air dam work together with side strakes that are deeper than the coupe’s, along with a double rear diffuser dubbed Aeroblade II’. Of course, this won’t be cheap. Aston Martin has priced the Volante at a whopping US$329,100 — about $443,000 here. Canadian availability will hopefully be announced
Origin: Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Volante is a $443,000 hair dryer
Aston Martin wants to keep the V12 candle burning
The twin-turbo V12 in the Aston Martin DB11.Derek McNaughton / Driving Aston Martin won’t be dropping the V12 anytime soon. According to Top Gear, Aston executive vice president and chief creative officer Marek Reichman said the V12 will be able to be produced for some time, as it is one of the hearts inside Aston Martin. “It gets harder and harder to meet emissions, obviously,” he said. “But I think we have the capability to keep V12 engines going within the business. We’ve just got to be very aware of the compliance and the emissions rules that will come out in the future. Although Aston wasn’t necessarily built on V12s — they started with four- and six-cylinder motors, after all — they have become a fabric of its cars since the early 1990s. Now, the brand has a few models with the configuration: the DB11 uses a 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12, while the upcoming Valkyrie uses a 6.5L V12 that produces over 1,000 hrosepower without the help of forced induction. The most frequent killers of big engines like the V12 are regulations and legislation, and Reichman says Aston Martin is keeping a close eye on that to ensure the V12 lives on for as long as possible. Furthermore, future Astons could also feature the engine, such as its upcoming mid-engined sports car. In a nudge-nudge-wink-wink sort of way, Reichman told Top Gear a turbocharged V6 would be fine, but it might just stick a V12 in it just because it
Origin: Aston Martin wants to keep the V12 candle burning
Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Volante is 211mph drop-top
Aston Martin has pulled the wraps off the fastest convertible in its history: the new DBS Superleggera Volante. Capable of hitting 211mph – identical to the hard-top DBS – the British firm’s newest addition is available to order now, priced from £247,500. That headline figure is £22,500 more than the coupé, but Aston claims the “extra level of sensory overload that only an open-top super-GT can deliver” justifies the premium. The roof itself is the most advanced soft-top the firm has ever produced, with eight layers of insulation and the ability to fully open it in 14sec – from inside the car or externally via the remote. The mechanism is said to have been put through more than 100,000 cycles in development in everywhere from Nevada’s Death Valley to the Arctic Circle. The roof compresses to a claimed class-leading height of 26cm in the boot, maximising available luggage space. The soft-top itself is available in eight exterior colours, with six interior headliners available to order. Despite the identical top speed, DBS Superleggera Volante weighs a not inconsiderable 170kg more than the coupé, at 1863kg, which marginally affects acceleration. Aston claims a 0-62mph time two-tenths slower (3.6sec) and a 0-100mph time three-tenths slower (6.7sec) than the coupé’s. The twin-turbocharged 5.2-litre V12 produces an identical 715bhp and 664lb ft of torque to the coupé, too. Official fuel economy is reduced from the 22.9mpg of the coupé to 20.1mpg under the new WLTP testing regime. Aside from the roof, the rest of the Volante’s exterior is broadly identical to the coupé’s. However, Aston has revised the car’s rear profile – in particular the rear diffuser – to compensate for any aerodynamic losses from the soft-top. As a result, it produces 177kg of downforce at its peak – a mere 3kg less than the
Origin: Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Volante is 211mph drop-top
Aston Martin (finally) unveiled its first all-electric car, the Rapide E
Aston Martin is making an all-electric car. Specifically, it’s making this all-electric car. Beautiful, yes, and exclusive too, as the brand plans to produce just 155 of them. The Aston Martin Rapide E, which made its international debut at the Shanghai Auto Show this week, is based on the existing gas-drinking Rapide sedan and, on the surface, it shares quite a bit in common with this older sibling. In fact, it’s simpler to just list the differences: the Rapide E’s grille is grated rather than horizontally finned like on the sedan; the intake shape and fascia design have been re-imagined to make sure the 400-lb-heavier electric version cuts through the air properly; and there are some blue accents on the brake calipers and within the headlights. Under the surface, however, things are quite different. The car runs on an 800-volt 65-kWh battery that charges at 500 km of range per hour when plugged into a high-speed charger, and will provide an estimated range of around 322 km per charge. That battery pack passes the juice to a pair of twin motors mounted on the rear axle, which make 450 kW (or the equivalent to 600 horses) and provide the Rapide E with its rapidity (zing!), getting it up to 60 mph (96 km/h) in under four seconds and pressing it up to a top speed of 249 km/h. Inside the Rapide E has been outfitted with a 10-inch digital instrument cluster, plus an 8-inch infotainment system display that sits above the centre dashboard. It will also support both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This is the first full look at the finished, limited-ed electric car that James Bond will reportedly drive in his next on-screen appearance. It looks fit for a spy—we’ll have to wait just a bit longer to see if it handles well enough for one
Origin: Aston Martin (finally) unveiled its first all-electric car, the Rapide E
Aston Martin Rapide E released at Shanghai
Aston Martin Rapide E released at Shanghai The Rapide E is the first Aston Martin to feature an electric powertrain Aston Martin has unveiled its first all-electric model – the Rapide E – at the Shanghai Motor Show, with production of the four-door saloon limited to 155 units. Fitted with twin electric motors, producing a combined 450 kW (612 hp) and 950 Nm of torque, the new Rapide E is set to be built at Aston Martin’s new St Athans facility in Wales, and has been developed in partnership with Williams Advanced Engineering – one of the world leaders in electric powertrains. A 65 kWh battery powers the two electric motors, which drive the rear wheels, with the battery pack sitting in the space where an engine, transmission, and fuel tank normally would. The range is quoted at ‘over 200 miles’ according to Aston Martin’s press release, and it looks likely that it will only be a little over that milestone considering the specifications. That figure is based on the WLTP tests though, which we’ve found to be fairly accurate and a realistic target figure for drivers. Considering the likes of Jaguar’s I-Pace and Audi e-tron have 90 kWh and 95 kWh batteries respectively, and ranges of a little under 300 miles and around 240 miles, the quoted 200 mile range does seem optimistic. However, the Rapide E is around 400 kg lighter than the e-tron and a similar weight to the I-Pace, so a range of around 215 miles would represent a fair calculation based on comparisons, and match Aston Martin’s claims. What is confirmed are the charging specifications. An 800V system will allow drivers to charge at high speeds, with rapid charging at 100 kW able to recharge the Rapide E in around 35-40 minutes. Aston Martin quotes 310 miles per minute, and also quotes a fast charging time of ‘as little as three hours’, from which we can work out that a 22 kW on-board AC charger will be fitted. Performance figures are typically Aston Martin, with a sub-4.0 second 0-60mph time, and 50-70mph completed in just 1.5 seconds. The Gaydon-based firm promises that the performance will be repeatable and delivered consistently – a little dig at Tesla’s Ludicrous mode – with the ability to drive a full lap of the Nurburgring with no reduced performance from the battery or motors. Aerodynamics for the ageing Rapide saloon have been tweaked and reduced drag by around 8%, with active flaps behind the grille, a smooth under floor, and new wheels helping achieve those claims. Speaking ahead of Rapide E’s Shanghai debut, Dr Andy Palmer, President and Group CEO, Aston Martin Lagonda, said: “Unveiling the Rapide E will be a huge moment for Aston Martin. As our first all-electric production car, it is a truly historic step. One that signals Aston Martin is prepared for the huge challenge of an environmentally responsible and sustainable future. “As a car company we cannot afford to passively allow that future to come to us; we have to actively chase it. Only by doing this can we learn and prepare, but also preserve those things we love as drivers and car enthusiasts. That’s why it was so important to me that in embracing EV technology we should not let go of those unique qualities that define an Aston Martin. I believe Rapide E embodies that desire and paves the way for a hugely exciting future.” Pricing is available on application, and order books for the Rapide E are open now.
Origin: Aston Martin Rapide E released at Shanghai
New Aston Martin Rapide E revealed with over 600bhp
Aston Martin has revealed its production-ready Rapide E electric luxury saloon at the Shanghai motor show. Previewed by various conceps, this Rapide E is the final version that will be delivered to customers later this year. It is significant both as the first Aston EV and the first model to leave the brand’s new ‘home of electrification’ facility in St Athan, Wales. Limited to 155 examples and available to order now at an undisclosed price, the Rapide E features a front end redesigned from the standard Rapide to aid cooling and aerodynamics. It also provides a visual link to Aston’s latest models such as the DBS Superleggera. Less visible but equally significant are the changes to the underfloor, directing airflow from the front splitter to a new, larger rear diffuser made possible by the removal of the exhaust system. Numerous other changes add up to an 8% improvement in aero efficiency over the old petrol-powered Rapide. The interior has been overhauled, too, bringing the nine year-old Rapide’s design up to date with the rest of the range. The most significant upgrade is the 10in digital instrument display showing key information such as battery charge level, motor power levels, energy usage and regenerative braking. Aston also claims extensive use of carbon fibre throughout the cabin to help reduce weight. The Rapide E’s electric propulsion system is packaged within the space left by the removal of the original 6.0-litre V12 engine. It’s powered by an 800V battery pack encased in carbon fibre and kevlar, feeding two rear-mounted electric motors, making a ‘combined target output’ of just over 602bhp and 701 lb ft of torque. Aston claims a sub-4.0sec 0-60mph time, a 50-70mph time of 1.5 seconds and a top speed of 155mph. Though those figures don’t better the fastest Tesla models, Aston claims the performance is “not restricted to a narrow window of battery charge of climatic conditions”, instead delivered in a “consistent and repeatable way”. The car’s range is pegged at just over 200 miles under the new, more realistic WLTP measuring regime. The 800v battery system is capable of delivering 100kW or higher of battery charge using a suitable charger, while an on-board AC charger can take the Rapide E from empty to full in three hours. Aston Martin has also paid careful attention to the Rapide E’s chassis tuning, bringing in revised spring and damper rates and a new limited-slip differential to handle the torque. Three driving modes also feature, while Aston claims the handling characteristics of the Rapide AMR have been retained. Aston CEO Andy Palmer commented that the Rapide E’s unveiling marked “a truly historic step. One that signals Aston Martin is prepared for the huge challenge of an environmentally responsible and sustainable
Origin: New Aston Martin Rapide E revealed with over 600bhp
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