aston martin

Attention Gentleman Racers: Your 2011 Aston Martin Vantage GT4 has Arrived

The Aston Martin Vantage GT4 was unleashed on the racing world two years ago, but has already won hearts and trophies: wins in the GT4 class at the Nürburgring 24 Hours, the Spa 24 hours and the Dubai 24 Hours, as well as the European GT4 Cup to name just four. The Anglo firm has made subtle changes to the 2011 model, with a little help from German firm Bosch and with lessons learned from its own Vantage V12 road car.

The 4.7-liter V8 has been remapped to produce more horsepower and torque, and the body gets aero cues from its V12 sibling, providing greater downforce and improved aerodynamics: a new splitter up front and diffuser out back, plus a larger integrated decklid spoiler. Keeping it all planted will be an optional ABS and traction control system developed by Bosch.

There have been 80 of the current GT4 built and sold to privateer racers, and if the wins keep coming you can expect even more of the 2011 model to find well heeled homes. No word on pricing yet, but the previous GT4 started at about 120,000, which means that you can expect to pay more for this one.

Gallery: 2011 Aston Martin Vantage GT4

Tags: 2011 aston martin vantage gt4, 2011 vantage gt4, aston martin, aston martin vantage gt4

Aston Martin Cygnet Unveiled at Harrods

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Luxury Shopping

If you're going to sell something luxurious in London, it had better be on display at Harrods. A veritable landmark of the English capital, Harrods has been around since 1849 and boasts over 360 departments on seven floors of upscale retail space.

Little wonder, then, that Aston Martin chose the department store to unveil the production-ready version of its upcoming Cygnet city car. Based on the Toyota iQ, the Cygnet upgrades with features that only Aston Martin could apply. The car goes into production in the new year, but is on display in a ground level window at Harrods until December 11.

Gallery: Aston Martin Cygnet at Harrods

Tags: aston, aston martin, aston martin cygnet, cygnet, department store, harrods, london

Aston Martin Rapide Luxe

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

It's hard to imagine a car getting any more luxurious than an Aston Martin. Leave it to Aston Martin, then, to confound expectations.

Enhancing the already exclusive four-door "coupe" is the Rapide Luxe, a top-of-the-line trim package that gives the family Aston an extra dose of desirability. The Luxe trim level upgrades with such extra features as tailored luggage matched to the interior leather, a DVD system built into the backs of the front seats, glass switches and key-fob and exclusive color options such as Quantum Silver and Concours Blue. It's the little things, you know.

Gallery: Aston Martin Rapide Luxe

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Tags: aston, aston martin, aston martin rapide, aston martin rapide luxe, aston rapide, rapide, rapide luxe

Maserati and Lamborghini Planning SUVs in 2012

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Architecture & Design

The rumor mill is going into overdrive with reports that both Lamborghini and Maserati plan to launch an SUV in 2012, aiming to capitalize on the success of the Porsche Cayenne Turbo and BMW X6. Aston Martin's recent decision to move ahead with its Lagonda SUV concept means that there are no longer any barriers to entering a market that may once have threatened to dilute super-luxury brands. Lamborghini's SUV is expected to be a modern revival of its famed LM002, produced from 1986 – 1993. Dubbed the LM00X and modeled on the Audi Q7 platform (Lamborghini is owned by Audi), it's expected to be fitted with the new 4.0 liter twin-turbo V8 set to debut in the Audi S7 next year, Auto Express reports. Maserati's SUV meanwhile will be a refined version of the Kubang GT Wagon concept they unveiled in 2003. The new SUV will most likely take its design cues from the Quattroporte, though Russian designer Andrey Trofimchuk Simeonych has come up with an artful rendering (above) of what it could look like. Both the Lamborghini and Maserati SUVs will initially come in a sporty three-door configuration, with the Maserati most likely priced around $100,000 and the Lamborghini in the $150,000 range.

Gallery: Maserati SUV Concept

Tags: Aston Martin, Audi Q7, car design, Lamborghini, luxury cars, Maserati, Porsche Cayenne, SUV

Aston Martin Club Lounge Singapore

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor, Dining, Luxury Cars & Autos

Drinking and driving don't mix, but someone forgot to tell them that in Singapore, where the world's first Aston Martin Club Lounge has just opened its doors.

The club is located at The Prime Society in Singapore's Dempsey Hill neighborhood, and is thoroughly Aston Martin from wall to wall. There are pictures of Astons lining the walls, and end tables made from Aston Martin wheels. Macallan is the scotch on offer and the Grande Annee champagne is waiting on ice, but you may want to hand over the keys to your Vantage before you partake.

Gallery: Aston Martin Club Lounge Singapore

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Tags: Aston Martin, Aston Martin Club Lounge Singapore, lounge, Singapore

Reggie Jackson's $1 Million Ferrari & More at Auction

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions, Celebrity Shopping, Sports

A rare 1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Spyder (above) formerly owned by both baseball great Reggie Jackson and famed daredevil Evel Knieval is expected to fetch up to $1 million at RM Auctions' annual Automobiles of Arizona sale in Phoenix on January 20 – 21. The car is one of a number of stunning Ferraris on offer in the stunning auction taking place at the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa (previewed by my colleague Noah Joseph), including a gorgeous 1966 Ferrari Superfast Series I, estimated at $900,000 – $1 million; a fully-restored 1950 Ferrari 166 Inter Berlinetta, est. $400,000 – $600,000; a well-known 1995 Ferrari F50 Show Car, est. $600,000 – $800,000, the very first F50 built; and a stunning jet black 1967 Ferrari 330 GTC. Other classic European thoroughbreds set to cross the block include a 1921 Rolls-Royce 40/50HP Silver Ghost Phaeton, est. $350,000 – $475,000; a 1932 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Newmarket Sport Phaeton, est. $300,000 – $450,000; and a 1958 Aston Martin DB2 Mark III, est. $200,000 – $250,000.

Gallery: RM Auctions' Arizona Ferraris

Tags: Arizona, Aston Martin, auction, baseball, celebrity, celebrity cars, classic cars, Ferrari, Reggie Jackson, RM Auctions, Rolls-Royce, sports

Jaeger-LeCoultre AMVOX2 DB9 Transponder

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches, Luxury Cars & Autos

With digital time readouts appearing on just about everything these days, you need a darn good reason to wear a wristwatch. Style is reason enough if you ask us, but Jaeger-LeCoultre figures the wealthy could use a bit more functionality. Hence the AMVOX2 Transponder watch.

Hidden inside the timepiece is a micro-transmitter that can lock, unlock and locate your car. The watch has already been released for Aston Martin's DBS and Rapide models, and is now joined by the DB9 model. Simply touch where it says "open" on the watch face to unlock the doors, "close" to lock it again or hit both to activate the headlights to help you locate it. Of course you'll need an Aston Martin for it to work with, and another nearly $25,000 for the watch itself. But can you really put a price on feeling like James Bond when you're already driving his car?

Tags: amvox, aston, aston martin, aston martin db9, jaeger-lecoultre, Jaeger-LeCoultre AMVOX2 DB9 Transponder

James Bond's 1964 Aston Martin DB5 Fetches $4.6 Million at Auction

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions

It's been months since RM Auctions announced it had received this very special historic automobile on consignment. The 1964 Aston Martin DB5 was used in not one, but two James Bond movies: Goldfinger and Thunderball. Packing all the special features installed for 007's covert operations, the Aston has been dubbed the most famous car in the world. And now it's finally crossed the auction block for the first time ever.

At yesterday's Automobiles of London auction, the one-of-a-kind DB5 – fully street-legal in the UK despite the spikes and machine guns – sold for a massing 2.9 million pounds sterling (approximately $4.6 million). A little shy of the $5 million it was expected to fetch, but not by much. The winning bidder was one Harry Yeaggy, and the price included RM's twelve percent commission, the rest of the proceeds going towards (now former) owner Jerry Lee's namesake charitable foundation.

Gallery: 1964 Aston Martin DB5 James Bond

Tags: 007, 1964 aston martin db5, aston martin, aston martin db5, bond, goldfiner, james bond, rm, rm auctions, thunderball

Pussy Galore's Helicopter Joins Bond's DB5 in London

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Wings, Auctions

Back in June we reported on the historic offering of the iconic 1964 Aston Martin DB5 driven by Sean Connery as James Bond in Goldfinger during RM Auctions' upcoming Automobiles of London sale on Oct. 27. Now another eye-catching Goldfinger vehicle has just joined the lineup: famed Bond Girl Pussy Galore's 1960 Hiller UH -12 E4 helicopter (above). Expected to fetch up to $650,000, the historic aircraft has been completely restored to the highest standards and is in full flying condition. Also up for sale is the 1998 Jaguar XKR driven in the famous ice hotel chase scene by the villain Zao in 2002's Die Another Day. The car, fitted out with some wicked "weapons systems", is currently the property of the Jaguar Heritage Trust and is estimated at up to $55,000.

Tags: 007, Aston Martin, Aston Martin DB5, auctions, celebrity cars, helicopter, Jaguar, James Bond, London, movie cars, movies, RM Auctions, Sean Connery, UK

Ralph Lauren Films at Astor Courts

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Estates, Men's Style, Video

It seems Ralph Lauren recently took over Astor Courts in Rhinebeck, New York, designed by Stanford White in 1904 for John Jacob Astor IV, to film videos for his new fall collections. We recognized the beautiful Beaux-Arts treasure, inspired by Louis XIV's Grand Trianon at Versailles, which was originally part of the Astor family's Ferncliff estate; Astor Courts (also known as the "Astor Casino" or "Ferncliff Casino") was designed as a guest lodge and sporting pavilion. Over the summer Astor Courts was in the news as the setting for Chelsea Clinton's wedding, and is currently up for auction having previously been listed for sale at $12 million. The structure's stunning details including grand fireplaces, elaborate moldings, an indoor clay tennis court framed by Gothic arches and a white marble swimming pool surrounded by Corinthian columns make a perfect backdrop for Lauren's luxurious designs in cashmere, wool, leather and silk. A couple of scenes were also shot at The Elms in Newport. The video for his Fall 2010 Purple Label collection (above) shows a stylish fellow driving off from the Astor estate in a vintage Aston Martin DB6 for a rendezvous with a beautiful woman. We think Stanford White would have approved.

Tags: Aston Martin, Astor Courts, Beaux-Arts, cashmere, estates, Hudson River, Hudson River Valley, Hudson Valley, mens style, New York, Ralph Lauren, Ralph Lauren Purple Label, Rhinebeck, Stanford White

Barons Auctioning Classic British GTs at Six Figures

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions

After selling former Aston Martin chief David Brown's rusty old DB2/4 last month at over twice its estimated value, British auction house Barons is back with another batch of tempting English classics for the anglophile motorist.

The exceptional MkI Aston DB2/4 pictured above is up for auction after a recent restoration. Before that it sat practically unused since its acquisition by an elderly doctor in 1953 through 2002, and has accumulated a shockingly low 11,000 miles on the odometer.

A rare 1963 Bentley Continental Coupe by Mulliner is also due to cross the block on October 26. One of only 11 made, the coachbuilt Bentley has just 91,000 miles on it, which is only high in comparison to the aforementioned Aston Martin. Only 3,000 of those miles were accumulated over the last 15 years. Both cars are estimated to fetch in the $150-200,000 range.

Tags: 1953 Aston Martin DB24, 1963 Bentley Continental Coupe by Mulliner, aston martin, barons, Mulliner

Aston Martin Cygnet heads into Production

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Imagine the following scenario: You live in a major European city, say London or Paris. You drive an Aston Martin. Sounds pretty good so far, right? Now imagine that you hardly ever get a chance to drive your Aston Martin because of traffic congestion. Heartbreaking. So what do you do? You get the new Aston Martin Cygnet.

Shown until now in concept form, the Cygnet has now been approved for production, which is set to begin next year. The car is based on the spritely Toyota iQ, but more luxuriously finished, by hand, at Aston's factory in Gaydon, Warwickshire, England, and made to order. Further details – including pricing and specifications – are expected to follow later this year.

Gallery: Aston Martin Cygnet

Tags: aston, aston cygnet, aston martin, aston martin cygnet, cygnet

The Classicist: UK's Elite Meet & Greet at High Net Worth Event

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Wings, Events, Charity, Men's Style, The Classicist, Wealth, Architecture & Design

Some of the UK's wealthiest citizens met up recently at Cotswold Airport in the heart of bucolic Gloucestershire to rub elbows while eyeballing the latest in supercars and private jets. The ultra-exclusive Elite 2010 event was organized by Aeronautics Ltd. and the Fine English Company, dedicated to the best in bespoke British luxury. 200 high net worth VIPs were in attendance at the occasion hosted by British Royal Air Force Air Chief Marshal Sir Glenn Torpy. The event benefited Fly2Help, a charity dedicated to helping those who have suffered disaster, difficulty or tragedy by allowing them to experience the fun and love of flying. We got an inside look at the proceedings thanks to Fine English Co. founder Benedict Wormald.

Aeronautics Ltd. are the UK Sales Representative for Hawker Beechcraft and specialize in the sales, acquisition, management and charter brokerage of private jets. Other participating organizations at Elite 2010 included Aston Martin Racing, the famed British marque's motorsports division; Coutts, the legendary private bankers to the Queen of England and the British Royal Family as well as famed figures from the Duke of Wellington, Charles Dickens and Lord Nelson to The Beatles; Von Essen Hotels, the private collection of individual country house hotels in the UK and France which includes the famous Cliveden, once home to an Earl, two Dukes, a Prince of Wales and the Viscounts Astor; London's The Nth Degree Club Concierge, whose services include event management, private dining, exclusive chef's tables at top London restaurants and personal shopping; PremiAir Aviation; and Affinity Marketing Group.

Gallery: Elite 2010 UK

Tags: Aston Martin, aviation, Benedict Wormald, bespoke, BMW, British Royal Family, charity, Cliveden, England, events, Ferrari 458 Italia, Fine English Company, Fly2Help, furniture, Gloucestershire, Hawker Beechcraft, helicopter, London, Porsche, private jets, Queen of England, Spitfire, UK, Von Essen Hotels, wealth

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Aston Martin V8 Vantage N420 Roadster

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

The goodies are pouring in for the suitably fast-approaching Paris Auto Salon. The latest comes courtesy of Aston Martin, which has announced its new V8 Vantage N420 Roadster.

Like the N420 coupe announced in July, the N420 Roadster is inspired by the marque's victories at the vaunted Nurburgring race track in Germany. It packs the same standard 420-horsepower V8 as the standard model, and fits the optional Sport Pack suspension as standard, plus a sport exhaust system, new wheels, aero package and a reduced weight. Prices are pegged around $145,000, available with either a manual or Sportshift automatic.

Gallery: Aston Martin V8 Vantage N420 Roadster

Tags: 2010 paris, 2010 paris auto salon, 2010 paris auto show, 2010 paris motor show, aston, aston martin, Aston Martin V8 Vantage, Aston Martin V8 Vantage N420, Aston Martin V8 Vantage N420 Roadster, paris, paris auto salon, paris auto show, paris motor show

Rusty Aston Martin Sells for £206,000 at Auction

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions

The collector car market has spiraled to such an extent that seeing a car sell at auction for £206,000 (about $319k) barely even raises an eyebrow these days. But for that kind of money, you'd still expect the car to be in good condition, right? But that's how much one buyer paid recently for what is euphemistically being referred to as a "rolling restoration project" – auto-speak for a handyman's dream.

The car in question is a 1958 Aston Martin DB2/4 MkIII convertible. Or at least it once was. And when it was, it belonged to one David Brown, the former Aston Martin chief whose initials still adorn the company's svelte GTs to this day. Unfortunately the car sat in disrepair for 30 years since then, but after having been rediscovered was sold at auction by Barons at Sandown Park in Surrey, England.

Gallery: David Brown's 1958 Aston Martin DB2/4