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2011 Geneva Motor Show: The Supercars

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.

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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

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

Gallery: Geneva 2010: Aston Martin Cygnet

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Tags: aston, aston martin, aston martin cygnet, aston martin one-77

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

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

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

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

New Lagonda Expected to be Based on Aston Martin Rapide

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

It's been a bumpy road for Lagonda these past few years. After laying dormant for decades, Aston Martin's sister brand was due to be revived with a new crossover-utility vehicle that debuted last year in Geneva. Unfortunately the Lagonda concept failed to impress, and plans were put on hold.

Now new reports indicate that, although the crossover has been killed, Lagonda's prospects for rejuvenation have not. According to reports, Aston Martin plans to build a larger sedan based based on the Rapide (pictured above) under the Lagonda name. It may be a while yet, though, as the new model isn't expected for another four years.

Gallery: Aston Martin Rapide

Tags: aston, aston martin, aston martin lagonda, aston martin rapide, lagonda

Rare Aston Martin drives $5.6 Million in Sales at Bonhams Goodwood Auction

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions

There are rare Astons, and then there are rare Astons. This, ladies and gentlemen, is the latter. One of only 23 DB5 convertibles ever made, this particular example is one of only 9 that were built with the more powerful Vantage engine. It's had just three owners, who saw it through two comprehensive restorations, and was showcased last year at the prestigious, invitation-only Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este. And now it has been sold for a record £551,500 ($833k).

Along with a 1937 Bentley featured in the Bond film "Never Say Never Again" (£221,500/$335k), a rare Lister-Jaguar (£232,500/$351k), and Kylie Minogue's Mercedes SLK (£14,950/$23k), the highly sought-after Aston helped Bonhams reach £3,707,687 ($5.6m) in sales at their annual auction during the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Gallery: 1965 Aston Martin DB5 Vantage Convertible

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Tags: 1965 Aston Martin DB5 Vantage Convertible, aston, aston db5, aston martin, aston martin db5, Aston Martin DB5 Vantage, Aston Martin DB5 Vantage Convertible, bonhams, goodwood festival of speed

Aston Martin DB9 gets a Subtle Facelift for 2011

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

If you're among the legions who find the Aston Martin DB9 to be one of the most gorgeous automobiles on the road today, you may be surprised to find out that the British automaker has revealed some updates to the V12 grand tourer. Not that it needed it, but with the model's replacement not due for another few years, Aston Martin evidently felt it could use a little refresher.

Don't worry, though, because the changes have been kept to a minimum. New wheels are the easiest starting point, and to that Aston has added a new front bumper with mesh inserts in the lower grille, and a restyled quarter panel (the piece running below the door between the wheels) that sweeps up towards the rear wheel. The 6-liter V12 engine carries over unchanged, but the 2011 DB9 now benefits from the adaptive damping system already seen in the DBS and Rapide. The changes are applied to both the coupe and Volante convertible, with deliveries already under way.

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Tags: 2011 aston martin db9, aston, aston db9, aston martin, aston martin db9, db9

Russian Owner Commissions Edo to turn his Aston Martin DB9 into a DBS

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Before the One-77 and V12 Vantage came along, the Aston Martin DBS was the king of the hill. Just ask James Bond: the DBS is the same supercar 007 has driven in the past two movies. But the DBS wasn't designed from scratch. It was based upon the DB9, Aston's staple V12 grand tourer.

After owning one such DB9 for five years, an owner in Russia wanted to upgrade to the DBS. But rather than taking his GT into the local Aston dealer for a trade-in, he commissioned Edo Competition to carry out its own conversion. The venerable tuning house installed the factory-sourced body panels, customized the interior and upgraded both the brakes and engine, the latter boosted from 470 horsepower stock beyond the DBS's 510 all the way up to 550. The big question, though, is whether the conversion ended up costing the owner more than trading in for a DBS straight from the factory.

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Tags: aston, aston martin, aston martin db9, aston martin dbs, db9, dbs, edo, edo competition, russia

Bonhams Brings in $6.8 Million at 11th Annual Aston Martin Auction

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions

Every year for the past eleven, the auctioneers at Bonhams descend on the old Aston Martin factory in Newport Pagnell, England – which now houses the company's Works Service. It's the premier auction event for vintage Astons and Lagondas, and this year's broke all previous records with $6.8 million worth of classics.

Among those that crossed the block were a 1950 DB2 raced by Stirling Moss (£513,000/$740k) and a mint-condition '68 DB6 that went for £124,700 ($180k), as well as a DB4 used in the filming of Goldfinger which sold well above its estimated value for £84,000 ($121k).

Gallery: 2010 Bonhams Auction at Aston Martin Works Service

Tags: aston, aston martin, aston martin lagonda, aston martin lagonda limited, bonhams, newport pagnell

Aston Martin Rapide Heading to the Nurburgring 24

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

If you're one of the skeptics still bemoaning Aston Martin's decision to produce a four-door model, the British sportscar-maker has got another surprise in store for you. The Rapide is getting ready to attack one of the most grueling races on the face of the earth.

After having won the production-based SP8 category the past two years running at the Nurburgring 24 hour race with versions of the Vantage coupe, the Rapide will be the car of choice for this year's team. Bearing only minor modifications from the model you can order from your local dealer, the Rapide will be piloted by none other than Aston Martin's CEO Dr. Ulrich Bez along with a team of factory personnel at the upcoming race. Will Aston manage to repeat the victory with four doors? Keep your eyes peeled on May 15-16 to find out.

Gallery: Aston Martin Rapide

Tags: 24 hour race, aston, aston martin, aston martin rapide, dr. ulrich bez, Nurburgring, nurburgring 24, Nurburgring24, rapide, sp8, ulrich bez

B&O Takes the Aston Martin DBS Cabron Black Edition on U.S. Tour

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Destined for exclusivity, many of us might not normally have the opportunity to behold the Aston Martin DBS Carbon Black edition. Based on the top-of-the-line GT that serves as James Bond's ride of choice, the Carbon Black edition features a unique black paint process designed to deflect the light at different angles, plus lightweight carbon-Kevlar seats draped in black leather with silver stitching, piano black trim, special wheels and more.

The Carbon Black edition also comes equipped with a 13-speaker, 1000-watt premium audio system from Bang & Olufsen. Now the Scandinavian audio firm is taking a pair of DBS Carbons on a coast-to-coast tour of the United States, hitting New York, LA, Chicago, Dallas, San Francisco, Washington and Miami along the way. So if you want to check it out and live near one of these major metropolitan centers, call your local Aston dealer to find out when you can stop by.

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Tags: aston, aston martin, aston martin dbs, aston martin dbs carbon black edition, bang and olufsen, bang olufsen, carbon black, dbs

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