Lightweight & extreme, that will be the New Aston Martin Vantage special edition limited to 100 cars

• Lightweight and extreme Vantage special edition limited to 100 cars
• Motorsport-derived chassis, aerodynamics and handling
• Bridges the gap between road and race track driving

Aston Martin is today revealing the first details of its most potent and uncompromising Vantage to date: the track-inspired Vantage GT3 special edition. With production strictly limited to just 100 examples, the new model combines all of Aston Martin’s learning from its years of sports car competition around the globe to produce its most performance focused road-going Vantage.

Equipped with a new iteration of the brand’s 6.0-litre V12 engine which is capable of generating up to 600 PS¹, the car weighs in at 100kg less than a standard V12 Vantage S.

Comprehensively re-engineered, as well as significantly restyled, the GT3-inspired special edition is lower and wider than any of its siblings in the Vantage family. A broader track – front and rear – brings even more composed cornering thanks to a reduction in lateral load transfer, while the use of Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres provides even more assured handling.

Thoroughly equipped with cutting edge motorsport-inspired features, from the extensive use of carbon fibre inside and out to the track-focused aerodynamics pack – which includes a prominent rear wing and pronounced front splitter – the race-derived new Vantage brings more focused and uncompromising capability and styling to a road-going Aston Martin.

The aerodynamics package in particular has a profound effect, producing significant downforce to provide even greater levels of grip and stability at higher speeds.

Inspired by Aston Martin Racing’s successful campaigns, this new GT3-derived Vantage has been designed and engineered exclusively at Aston Martin’s Gaydon Headquarters in Warwickshire, England, to be the most overt expression of everything that defines Vantage: an inspirational sports model offering supreme driveability on the road, and uncompromising dynamic performance on track.

New flared carbon fibre front wings, carbon fibre bonnet, a lithium ion race-derived battery, carbon-fibre door casings, optional carbon fibre roof, optional weight-saving polycarbonate rear window and rear quarter windows are just a few of the measures which illustrate the engineers’ determination to eliminate mass wherever possible. That determination has paid off, too, as the new car weighs in at only 1,565 kg².

Under the skin lie a number of bespoke engineering upgrades, aside from the new 600 S¹ V12 engine. Magnesium inlet manifolds with revised geometry, a lightweight magnesium torque tube and a full titanium exhaust system with centre outlets are just a few of the features that underline the rigorous re-engineering of this exclusive new Vantage.

The car’s interior is comprehensively reworked, too, with a full carbon fibre centre stack and touch-sensitive control array; race-derived carbon fibre sports seats; Alcantara trim and the option of numerous bespoke features courtesy of the brand’s popular personalisation service: Q by Aston Martin.

Announcing the arrival of the Vantage GT3 special edition, Aston Martin CEO Dr Andy Palmer said: “Motorsport is in our blood at Aston Martin. The Vantage is the car we campaign in top level sports car racing around the world and so it seems only fitting that we offer an exclusive, limited edition Vantage that expertly fuses our motorsport know-how with our road car prowess.”

He added: “The Vantage GT3 special edition is an uncompromising example of our design and engineering expertise and I’m sure the 100 owners who secure one of these cars will savour every second behind the wheel; whether on the road or on the track.”     

     

The Vantage GT3 special edition will make its public debut on 3 March at the 85^th Geneva International Motor Show (Hall 5, Stand 5253), with first customer deliveries beginning in the third quarter of 2015.

¹ Predicted power output

² Predicted kerb weight

Aston Martin has been given funds it needs to makeover the model lineup, expect a Geneva reveal.

Aston Martin's main financial backer has pledged to provide cash for a refreshed model lineup that the supercar maker plans to reveal at the Geneva auto show in March.

Investindustrial S.p.A., which bought a 37.5 percent stake in the British manufacturer in 2012, will invest fresh cash in Aston Martin if needed, Andrea Bonomi, the private-equity firm's chairman, said in an interview today.

Investindustrial has no plans to sell its holding anytime soon as the investment was made with the intention of keeping it for seven to 10 years.

"Aston has an industrial plan which is growing in its ambitions and we have always planned to participate in all funding needs that Aston has," Bonomi said on the sidelines of a conference here. "It hasn't been decided yet, but if Aston needs capital, we're there."

Bonomi helped recruit Andy Palmer, Nissan's former chief planning officer, to take over as CEO after Aston Martin went a year without a top executive.

The Gaydon, England-based manufacturer is the only global supercar brand that's not part of a larger group. That makes it tricky for Aston Martin to fund the r&d needed to compete with Volkswagen Group's Bentley and Fiat Chrysler's Maserati or BMW Group's Rolls-Royce.

Aside from the Italian private-equity firm, Aston Martin's other main shareholders are Kuwaiti companies Investment Dar and Adeem Investment Co.

Daimler has an agreement to acquire a 5 percent stake in Aston Martin in exchange for providing the sports-car producer with components such as engines and automotive electronics.

In Geneva, Palmer "will give a clear indication of where the brand is going," including the prospects of building a Aston Martin's first SUV, Bonomi said. "We're at the beginning of the revamp plan."

REPORT HERE

Aston Martin expands into Seoul, South Korea, with first dealership.

Aston Martin is further expanding its operations across Asia with news that the luxury British sports car brand is to open a first showroom in the South Korean capital, Seoul.

Operated by Kiheung International Limited Company the new dealership will comprise a state-of-the-art 1,500 square metre facility at 235 Banpo Street, Seocho-gu in Seoul.

Set to open to customers in April 2015, the new showroom becomes Aston Martin’s first and only official dealership in South Korea and signals the British sport car brand’s ambition to expand its sales and service operations to cover more of the world’s key luxury markets.

CEO of the new dealership, Mr Lee Kei Wung, said: “I am honored to be able to launch Aston Martin in the Korean market.

“As befits this great British luxury sports car brand, Aston Martin Seoul will strive to constantly exceed our customers’ expectations in every way.”

He added: “The new dealership we are establishing here will provide exceptional aftersales service. In fact, our technicians have already completed the detailed and rigorous Aston Martin training course in England.

“We will do everything possible to offer a complete one-stop ‘shop’ for all things Aston Martin: from new and pre-owned car sales to the highest quality after-sales service.”

Welcoming the announcement of the new dealership in Seoul, Aston Martin Global Sales Director Christian Marti said: “I’m very happy that we are able to develop this stunning new facility in South Korea.

“Offering the highest levels of sales and after-sales service to our owners around the world is fundamental for our business, and I’m very pleased that we have been able to add further dealer coverage in this key region.”

UK RECALL #19 - ASTON MARTIN - Seats may overheat.

Vehicle Details
Reference :	R/2014/163
Manufacturer Ref :	RA-01-0019
Make:	ASTON MARTIN
Model :	DB9 & DBS (Coupe & Volante), One-77, V12 Zagato, V12 Vantage/ V8 Vantage (Coupe and Roadster) & Virage (Coupe and Roadster)
Launch Date :	02/12/2014
Numbers Involved :	8299
Build Start Date :	15/06/2006
Build End Date :	06/11/2014

Recall Details
Concern :	SEAT MAY OVERHEAT
Description :	On affected vehicles, The control module for the front heated seats mail fail and, when the ignition is switched on, allow a permanent feed to the heater element(s). In this condition it may not be possible to switch off the heater element and over a period of time this may cause a seat to overheat and smouldering to occur. Occupants will notice an inability to switch the seat heater off using the designated switch and over longer periods a higher than normal temperature of the seat squab.
Remedial Action :	Fit additional seat heater monitoring modules. Where necessary seat elements may also be replaced.
Vehicle Id :	SCFAA01A36GA06324 to SCFRMFAVXEPX81005 SCFAC02A26GB06245 to SCFFCAFM0FGB16451 SCFBA03B26GC02362 to SCFEKBDL9BPX66238 SCFBC04B27GD04349 to SCFEABBK9FGD19219 SCFEJBDL1BGC15193 to SCFEJBDL8FGC19179 SCFFDECN3CGG13314 to SCFGDEAM3DPX74209 SCFGFXXX0BGS17701 to SCFGFXXX0BGS17777 SCFAA05DX9GE00007 to SCFFDCBD3CGE03373 SCFFCAFN3CPX68207 to SCFFCEDN3CGH14614 SCFEBBCF6AGS00001 to SCFEKBCR1FGS01364 SCFEKBCR2EGS01386 to SCFEJBCR9FGS02040 SCFEBBGF7CGS31111 to SCFEABGF3DGS31319 SCFEKBEL9BGD14520 to SCFEJBELXFGD19279 SCFEJBFR7FGS21830 to SCFEJBFRXFGS22048 SCFFCCCD1CGE03096 to SCFFCCCDXCGE13383 SCFEABFF2CGS21137 to SCFEKBFR9FPX76002

Other Vehicles Affected (Click the vehicle to perform an extended search)

ASTON MARTIN - DB9 ASTON MARTIN - DB9 ASTON MARTIN - VANTAGE ASTON MARTIN - VANTAGE ASTON MARTIN - VANTAGE ASTON MARTIN - VIRAGE ASTON MARTIN - ONE77 ASTON MARTIN - DBS ASTON MARTIN - VIRAGE ASTON MARTIN - VANTAGE ASTON MARTIN - VANTAGE ASTON MARTIN - ZAGATO ASTON MARTIN - VANTAGE ASTON MARTIN - VANTAGE ASTON MARTIN - DBS ASTON MARTIN - VANTAGE

Happy 60th Anniversary Aston Martin, here is to a bright, modern and supercar future.

Hundreds of VIP customers and guests were in Newport Pagnell on Friday last week (12 December) for the launch of Aston Martin Works’ 60^th anniversary celebrations.

More than 400 guests from across the UK and continental Europe made their way to the historic home of Aston Martin for the pre-Christmas party – which also marked the launch of the dealership’s exclusive 60th Anniversary Limited Edition Vanquish sports car.

Just six of the 60^th Anniversary edition Vanquish models – created by the Aston Martin design team and the brand’s bespoke personalisation service, Q by Aston Martin – will be built, and the majority have already been snapped up by collectors keen to own a piece of Works’ heritage. 

Stars of the show at the launch event in Buckinghamshire on Friday also included a number of the rarest and most sought-after Aston Martin models, with pride of place shared by cars selected to reflect the brand’s six decade-long association with Newport Pagnell.

Among the cars on display was an iconic Aston Martin DB5; the DBS which starred alongside Tony Curtis and Roger Moore in 70s TV show The Persuaders; and an original Vanquish – the last model to be made at the Newport Pagnell factory before production moved to the brand’s headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire, in 2007.

Announcing the launch of the 60^th anniversary celebrations and revealing the limited edition sports car, Aston Martin Works Commercial Director, Paul Spires, said: “Designed by Marek Reichman and his team these limited edition Vanquish sports cars are a celebration of 60 glorious years of Aston Martin at Newport Pagnell.

“Strictly limited to just six cars, each one representing a decade of our operations here, these are truly ultra-rare collectors’ items and a fitting beginning to our year-long celebrations.”

Aston Martin Works will be holding a number of anniversary celebration events throughout 2015, and full details of all the activities will be announced over the months ahead.