Aston Martin

Daimler and Aston Martin to Collaborate on High-End Maybachs and Lagondas

Taking on the likes of Rolls-Royce and Bentley is no mean feat. In fact few are up to the task – not even Aston Martin and Mercedes-Benz parent company Daimler. The latter has tried with limited success to turn a profit on the Maybach brand, but the latest reports indicate that it's preparing to take a different approach.

Because Daimler is used to building cars in large volumes, it has been negotiating with Aston Martin for several years now on a new partnership that could see the British automaker – which has more expertise in small-batch production – build the next generation of Maybachs. Production would, according to reports, take place at Aston Martin's headquarters at Gaydon, Warwickshire in England, pictured above.

What would Aston get in return? The technology – including chassis, engines and more – on which to base its relaunched Lagonda brand, which is part of the company's portfolio but has not been used in decades. The first Lagonda luxury sedan could be built alongside the next Maybach, followed by a high-end crossover/utility vehicle based on the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class.

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Tags: aston martin, aston martin lagonda, gaydon, lagonda, maybach, mercedes-benz

The World's Top Luxury Toys for Men

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches, Yachts & Sailing, Luxury Cars & Autos, Wings, Books, Wealth

What are the world's top luxury toys for men? Uber-luxe German publisher teNeues has the answer with its newest super-sized volume, Luxury Toys: For Men. The awesome Aston Martin One-77, so named because of its limited 77-example run and $1.7 million pricetag, appears on the cover.

Other supercars that make the cut, including the Audi R8 GT, Rolls-Royce Ghost, Jaguar XKR Special Edition, Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S Awards Edition, and Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible. Quite the garage.

Covering transportation, style, accessories and dream vacations, the massive 220-page volume features 138 giant full-color photographs and text in English, German, French, Spanish, and Italian. Not based merely on price, the selections show how "emotion and finesse can be combined with spectacular aesthetic purity."

Tags: Aston Martin, aston+martin+one-77, astonmartinone-77, Audemars Piguet, Audi R8, books, Hublot, jets, luxury books, luxury cars, luxury goods, luxury toys, Luxury Toys For Men, mens luxury, Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, Rolls-Royce, supercars, teNeues, watches, yachts

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Aston Martin Concept Phone from Mobiado

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Gadgets

Canadian luxury phone maker Mobiado is in Switzerland this week for the BaselWorld watch and jewelry show with the new CPT002 concept phone. Designed in collaboration with Aston Martin, the CPT002 is comprised of a fully transparent sapphire crystal capacitive touchscreen display suspended between two platinum bars that house all the electronics and battery.

Striking though it is, the CPT002 is more than just a pretty face. The tie-in with Aston Martin comes into play as the phone is designed to interface with the car's infotainment system, wirelessly interfacing with social media sites to help you locate the people you're meeting up with or updating them automatically on the progress of your road trip or day at the race track. The built-in accelerometer will also alert the car itself in case of an impending crash, preparing the car's safety systems for the imminent collision.

Impressive stuff, though strictly a concept for the time being.

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Tags: aston martin, baselworld, cell phone, cpt002, gadgets, mobiado, mobile, phone

Aston Martin Tipped to Relaunch Lagonda with Exclusive Luxury SUVs

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Ever since Aston Martin took over rival automaker Lagonda in 1947, it has been looking for a way to differentiate the brand from its own. Over the course of the past few decades, Lagonda sedans have been built on Aston Martin platforms. A couple of years ago at the Geneva Motor Show, the company unveiled a concept vehicle for Lagonda's revival in the form of a crossover-utility vehicle. The reviews were not positive, but Aston says the negative reaction was to the concept's form and not to the idea itself.

As a result, Aston Martin is reportedly preparing to spin Lagonda off into its own line of very high-end crossovers targeted at developing markets like Russia and China. (This in contradiction to previous reports that they'd go with a rebodied version of the Aston Martin Rapide.) The vehicles could be built atop Mercedes-Benz platforms, and will range in price from around $150,000 to nearly half a million, placing it far above even the most expensive luxury SUVs and crossovers currently available.

Gallery: Lagonda Concept

Tags: aston martin, aston martin lagonda, lagonda

2011 Geneva Motor Show: The Supercars

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Geographically located in between the supercar capitals of Europe, Switzerland is where the world's automakers come to showcase the latest array of mouth-watering, bank-balance-tempting exotic sports cars. And this year's Geneva Motor Show didn't disappoint in the least.

In between all those luxury sedans, upscale sport-utes and premium hatchbacks were a blinding assortment of six-figure supercars seemingly capable of bending the very laws of physics. Standing out from the crowd were brand-new offerings from Ferrari, Lamborghini and Pagani, new takes on old favorites from Maserati, Aston Martin and Jaguar, concept cars from Alfa Romeo, BMW and Wiesmann and more.

We went to Geneva to check them out with our own eyes (and lens) – follow the jump to see what we found, and click the images to view the full galleries from our sister-site Autoblog.

Tags: 2011 geneva motor show, alfa, alfa 4c, alfa romeo, alfa romeo 4c, alfa romeo 4c concept, aston, aston martin, aston martin virage, bmw, bmw vision connecteddrive, carrozzeria touring superleggera, ferrari, ferrari ff, ferrari four, ff, geneva, geneva 2011, geneva motor show, gumpert tornante, huayra, jaguar, jaguar xkr-s, koenigsegg, koenigsegg agera, koenigsegg agera r, lamborghini, lamborghini aventador, Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4, lexus, lexus lfa, lexus LFA Nürburgring Package, maserati, maserati grancabrio, maserati grancabrio sport, pagani, pagani huayra, touring, wiesmann, wiesmann spyder

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Rare Ferraris, Bentleys, Astons & More at Gooding's Amelia Island Sale

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions, The Classicist

Ferraris, Bentleys, Astons and More at Gooding's Amelia Island Sale

Back in December my colleague Noah Joseph previewed some of the notable early consignments at Gooding & Company's Amelia Island sale. Now with the auction date of March 11 looming we have details on starring lots added in the interim. Recent additions to the stunning lineup include an extraordinary "barn find" 1955 Bentley R-Type Continental Fastback with coachwork by H.J. Mulliner; a highly-original and unrestored 1961 Aston Martin DB4 Series IV; and a 1962 AC Cobra. They join other incredible offerings including a 1971 Lamborghini Miura P400 SV Prototype, a 1963 Lotus 23B and a 1964 Ferrari 250 GT Lusso (above).

"A true connoisseur's car, the Bentley R-Type Continental Fastback has a place in the world's finest collections," says David Gooding, President and founder. "This recently-discovered, two-owner R-Type is the ultimate collector's Bentley for its role in luxury motoring history and sophisticated performance specification." Gooding have not released estimates for the Bentley or Miura, but expect the bidding to be fierce. Meanwhile the Aston Martin's estimate is $425,000 - $475,000; the AC Cobra $450,000 - $550,000; the Lotus $175,000 - $225,000; and the Ferrari 250 GT Lusso $600,000 - $750,000.

Gallery: Gooding & Co. Amelia Island 2011

1955 Bentley R-Type Continental Fastback

Tags: AC Cobra, Amelia Island, Aston Martin, Aston Martin DB4, Bentley, car auction, classic cars, collector cars, Ferrari, Ferrari 250 GT, Gooding Company, Gooding and Co., Gooding and Company, Lamborghini, Lamborghini Miura, Lotus, luxury cars

Aston Martin Introduces the Virage

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Aston Martin's VH platform has spawned more vehicles than you can shake a stick at. Not only does it underpin the V8 and V12 Vantage models (and all their derivatives), but as the platform on which the DB9 is based, it's also the basis for the DBS and Rapide models as well. But now Aston Martin has launched a new model called the Virage.

Reinstating a model name from the company's history, the new Virage – available in both coupe and Volante convertible body-styles – slots in between the DB9 and DBS models. Its curvaceous aluminum, magnesium and composite body hides the 490-hprsepower 6-liter V12 engine with six-speed automatic Touchtronic 2 transmission, while all-around double-wishbone suspension with adaptive damping is mounted to 20-inch wheels with carbon-ceramic disc brakes and Pirelli P Zero tires.

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Tags: 2011 geneva motor show, aston martin, aston martin db9, aston martin virage, geneva, geneva 2011, geneva motor show

The Classicist: Is the Royal Warrant Losing Its Lustre?

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: The Classicist, Wealth

A recent decision by two venerable British brands to drop the Royal Warrants from their packaging has occasioned some hand-wringing in the UK over whether the much-coveted distinction has lost its lustre. The Classicist calls it a tempest in a Royal Doulton teacup; read on to find out why. Only three royals are entitled to grant warrants – the Queen of England, the Duke of Edinburgh and the Prince of Wales – to firms who supply their royal requisites for at least five years, though most warrant holders have ties to Britain's royal family dating back several decades or more. Of course, Prince William will one day be granting his own.

Holders of the Royal Warrant include many of our favorite luxury brands – Asprey, Aston Martin, Bentley, Barbour, Burberry, Fortnum & Mason, Gieves & Hawkes, Holland & Holland, Hunter Boots, Jaguar, John Lobb, Johnnie Walker, Land Rover, Laphroaig, Lock & Co., Swaine Adeney Brigg, Smythson, Tanqueray and Turnbull & Asser – along with a host of lesser names, such as After Eight mints and Jacob's Cream Crackers. It is the latter two that have now decided to do without their warrants – though no insult is intended to the royal family, as it was when former Harrods owner Mohamed al Fayed burned his last year. That coupled with the results of a new survey showing that only 13% of respondents thought that warrants make any difference have called their usefulness into question, the London Guardian reports.

However, "It's hard to say that interest in royal warrants is conclusively on the wane," Vicky Bullen, chief executive of Coley Porter Bell, tells the paper, "because there is no existing data with which to make a comparison. However, consumers' apparent indifference to the royal warrants has surprised us. We can only surmise there could be a number of factors at play." Said factors, Bullen says, include "that we live in a less deferential society in which the royal family enjoys less prestige and political support." That of course is not exactly new, though the upcoming Royal Wedding may give them a boost. [cont'd]

Gallery: Holders of the Royal Warrant

Tags: Asprey, Aston Martin, Barbour, Bentley, British royalty, Burberry, Fortnum and Mason, Harrods, Holland Holland, Hunter Boots, Jaguar, John Lobb, Johnnie Walker, Land Rover, luxury brands, Mohamed al Fayed, Prince of Wales, Prince William, Queen of England, royal family, Royal Warrant, Royal Wedding, royalty, Smythson, Swaine Adeney Brigg, Tanqueray, UK

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The Classicist: London's Luxe Salon Prive Comes to 'Gosford Park'

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates, Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions, Events, The Classicist

The Salon Privé, Europe's finest and largest dedicated display of supercars, exotics, classics and luxury goods in an English garden party setting, is moving to an amazing new venue this summer to house the largest exhibition to date and an incredible auction alongside. Syon Park (above), the sprawling London estate of the Duke of Northumberland, whose family have lived there for over 400 years, is best known as the mansion used in the movie Gosford Park and is the last surviving ducal residence retaining its country estate in Greater London, making a fitting new setting for the five-star event slated for June 22nd – 24th.

To mark the occasion, RM Auctions, the world's largest collector car auction house, has selected Salon Privé as the venue for its third annual European sale. Themed 'Quintessentially English' and scheduled for June 23, the new RM sale is set to become a regular fixture on the company's global events calendar, catering specifically for collectors with an affinity for British marques. Also joining the luxe event, now in its sixth season, for the first time is Land Rover who have confirmed that they will show the new Range Rover Evoque models which guests will be able to test drive.

2011 marks a return to the event for Porsche alongside such brands as Aston Martin, Bentley, Bugatti, Jaguar, Lamborghini, Maserati, Maybach, Mercedes-Benz, Morgan and Rolls-Royce. In addition to the stunning display of modern super and luxury cars, the event's internationally renowned Concours d'Elégance returns with seven new categories and a display of some of the rarest and most valuable cars in the world. Examples of this year's categories include Ferrari 250 Competizione, Historic Grand Prix Single Seaters, Grand Routier, Oddballs, Motorcycles from the Steve McQueen era and a collection of stunning Rolls-Royce models to celebrate the 100 year centenary of the Spirit of Ecstasy. [cont'd]

Gallery: Salon Prive & Syon Park

Tags: Aston Martin, Bentley, Bugatti, classic cars, Concours dElégance, concours delegance, English country house, events, Ferrari, Gosford Park, Land Rover, London, luxury goods, Maserati, Porsche, Range Rover Evoque, RM Auctions, Rolls-Royce, Salon Privé, Salon Prive, Steve McQueen, supercar, the+classicist, theclassicist

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Aston Martin Delivers the First One-77 to Monaco

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

It's here at long last: the first Aston Martin One-77 has officially been delivered to its first customer, officially catapulting Aston Martin into the upper stratosphere of the supercar arena.

The first of 77 examples to be produced, this black example was delivered to Monaco, no less, at Monte Carlo's famous Hotel de Paris. The last example is set to leave the factory by the end of the year.

There are reportedly still a few places left on the list, but to get one you'll need to fork over an additional $240,000 on top of the initial $1.8 million sticker price for a grand total of $2.04 million. That's a lot of cash for one car, but a lot of car it is indeed.

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Tags: aston martin, aston martin one-77, hotel de paris, monaco, monte carlo, one-77

Aston Martin V8 Vantage S

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Enthusiasts know and love the Aston Martin Vantage, but it's a bit of a curiosity. The smallest car in the company's catalog can be had with its smallest engine in the V8 Vantage, or its largest in the V12 Vantage. But now Aston has bridged the gap with the new V8 Vantage S.

Its 4.7-liter V8 engine has been tuned up to 430 horsepower, mated to a seven-speed sequential transmission. The steering has also been returned, the brakes upgraded and the aerodynamics optimized with new vents and carbon fiber front splitter. As with the existing V8 Vantage but unlike the V12 model, the V8 Vantage S can be had in either coupe or roadster body-styles.

Gallery: Aston Martin V8 Vantage S

Tags: aston martin, aston martin v8 vantage, aston martin v8 vantage s, v8 vantage, v8 vantage s, vantage

Le Mans-Winning Aston Martin That Inspired Bond's DBS for Sale at $1.5 Million

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

The incredible Aston Martin DBR9 race car (above) that was the 2008 Le Mans GT1 class winner and fifth vehicle overall is a pretty mean piece of machinery in its own right. But the car, which was built in 2006, has an even more impressive item on its resumé: the DBR9's styling lead to the ultra-cool Aston Martin DBS driven by Daniel Craig as James Bond in Casino Royale. Now the iconic DBR9 has been listed for sale in the UK for about $1.5 million. Based on the DB9 road car, the name DBR9 is derived from the original 24 Hours of Le Mans-winning DBR1 car which not only won the 24 Hour race in 1959 but also the World Sportscar title. The DBR9 features custom carbon fiber composite body panels for racing to help make the most of the 600 hp engine along with some other modifications built for speed. The racing history of the car with its famed blue and orange Gulf livery is varied and successful with 3 wins and 2 second places in the 2006 American Le Mans Series, and a win in the FIA GT1 Championship at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps as well.

Tags: Aston Martin, Aston Martin DBR9, Aston Martin DBS, carbon fiber, Casino Royale, Daniel Craig, James Bond, Le Mans, race car, supercar, UK

Aston Martin Announces 3 Special Editions DB9s

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Aston Martin is ending off the year with an unprecedented simultaneous launch of three special editions of its DB9 sports car. Each of the special editions comes with the usual 470-horsepower 6-liter V12 and six-speed automatic transmission, distinguished by a unique paint scheme – Quantum Silver, Morning Frost and Carbon Black – and feature special 19-inch wheels, piano black trim in the cabin and door-sill plates announcing the edition's name.

The white Morning Frost edition is further enhanced by silver brake calipers and a metallic bronze leather interior, while the Carbon Black and Quantum Silver editions also get a sports exhaust, leather roof lining and glass switchgear. Each can be had in either coupe or Volante convertible formats, and is available now to order from your local Aston Martin dealership.

The three specials follow a year packed with special editions, including the V12 Vantage and DBS Carbon Black, V8 Vantage N420 and DBS UB2010.

Gallery: Aston Martin DB9 Special Editions

Tags: aston, aston db9, aston martin, aston martin db9, aston martin db9 carbon black, Aston Martin DB9 Morning Frost, Aston Martin DB9 Quantum Silver, db9

2010's Top Ten Cars Sold at Auction

by Jonathon Ramsey (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions

The industrialist hordes lifting placards to bid this year's vintage machinery were not victim to the paroxysms of 2009, when a 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa went for $12.2 million and a 1965 Shelby Daytona Cobra Coupe was swept away for $7.25 mil. None of the top ten trophies in this year's vintage bazaar provoked such financial spikes, yet the decline from first place to tenth was much more gradual: the sum of 2009's offerings was $51.22 million, while 2010 racked up $50.54 million.

That isn't to say the year lacked any monumental spasms: a 1957 Bugatti Type 57C Atlantic "changed hands," to use the clinical parlance of tycoons, for somewhere between $30 and $40 million. That, however, was a private treaty sale handled by Gooding & Company, not an auction result.

Ferrari made another top showing among the perp-walk of pageant winners, with prices spanning $7.26 million for a Ferrari to €2.8 million for a... Ferrari. But Jaguar, Aston Martin, Mercedes and Talbot Lago were also on the list of what ended up being a very beautiful party...

Gallery: Top 10 Cars at Auction - 2010

Tags: 2010 top car auctions, alfa romeo, aston martin, car, ferrari, jaguar, mercedes-benz, talbot-lago, top ten, top ten cars

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Aston Martin One-77 Selling Like Hotcakes... Cygnet Along With It

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

It wasn't so long ago that spending seven figures on a new car was entirely unfathomable. Six figures, sure. But seven? That was before the likes of the Bugatti Veyron and Lamborghini Reventon came along and shattered our notions of how much a car could possibly be worth. And then came the Aston Martin One-77.

Crafted out of aluminum and carbon fiber and with a 750-horsepower V12 nestled underhood, the exclusive One-77 commands a commanding $1.87 million apiece. You might think that, at such a high price, Aston would have trouble selling the entire allotment of 77 examples, but you'd be mistaken. Reports indicate that 60 of them have already been sold, leaving only 17 still up for grabs as we go to press.

Perhaps just as intriguing among all this conspicuous consumption is another trend: according to reports, many of the buyers ponying up the $1.87 million for the One-77 are also placing orders for the Cygnet, the tiny city car which Aston Martin is building on the basis of the Toyota iQ. After all, you're not going to be driving your supercar into the city every day, now are you?

Gallery: Geneva 2009:Aston Martin One-77