British carmaker Aston Martin is at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show with two new models that will soon become available on the market: the V12 Zagato - created in cooperation with renowned Italian designer Zagato - and the face-lifted V8 Vantage, on display in both Coupe and Roadster versions.

Only 150 units of the beautiful Zagato will be produced, all of which will be equipped with a powerful 6.0-litre naturally aspirated V12 engine delivering 517 hp and 570 Nm of peak torque. Performance figures for this car are as impressive as its aesthetics: 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.2 seconds and top speed of 305 km/h (190 mph). The car should enter the market with an even more impressive 333,000 £ price tag attached to it (roughly 400,000 € / 526,000 $).

Both version of the revamped V8 Vantage - Coupé and Roadster - are powered by the same 426 hp 4.7-litre V8 engine of the previous range, but receive an upgraded braking system, bigger wheels and a more responsive steering. The cosmetic changes of the car were inspired by the design of the Vantage S, now featuring new side skirts, new bumpers and a rear diffuser. Also worth mentioning is the addition to the optional extras list of the model of the new Sportshift II sequential gearbox, which provides for a considerably faster gear shifting.

View the full : Aston Martin live at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show photo gallery

....

0 comments

The new Aston Martin V8 Vantage S is the peppered up version of the ’standard’ Vantage, with its sexy looks backed up by a little extra grunt. But mostly the Vantage S has a new seven-speed paddle shift from Graziano which apparently makes all the difference. A new Sport Button modifies throttle response and the transmission speed, there is sharper steering and modified brakes with an aluminium mix.

“It’s a proper sports car” is the verdict, but the only drawback for the V8 Vantage S is the cost. The price tag pushes it close to a Porsche 911 Turbo, meaning many who aren’t necessarily Aston fans will be making a classic Porsche choice over the British model. Still, apart from extremely minimal criticisms, if the Aston Martin Vantage S is good enough for Steve Sutcliffe….

....

0 comments

This is a weird set of wheels, literally. German tuners Graf Weckerle have created this Aston Martin V8 Vantage Blanc de Blancs. In the historic Aston colours of champagne, green and gold, the tuners have added a set of fleur-de-lis design, 21-inch wheels in white, 24-carat gold interior finishes, and velvet and leather upholstery with contrasting stitching. The wheels themselves have been handmade, taking 20 days and using 180 different components in aluminium and titanium. Technical modifications include a powerstep for the 4.7-litre engine up to 470 hp (an increase of 50 hp) but no further details, including price, are available at this stage.

Graf Weckerle Aston Martin V8 Vantage Blanc de Blancs

Continue reading: Aston Martin V8 Vantage Blanc de Blancs by Graf Weckerle

....

0 comments

Here’s a look at the Aston Martin V8 Vantage N420 video. This footage shows the coupé version, although an N420 Roadster is also available. The models are the heirs to the Aston Martin N400 throne and come with a 420-hp engine. Two transmission options are available: a six-speed manual or the Sportshift sequential gearbox. Top speed is about 290 km/hr. The long video shows us all the sides to this car - from its stylish looks to its racing pedigree. What a car!

....

0 comments

The lovely Aston Martin V8 Vantage N420 Roadster model shows off in these new pics in a model that will be presented at the 2010 Paris Motor Show with the 4.7-litre V8 engine with 420 hp. The Vantage N420 replaces the N400 standard V8 Vantage model and is 27 kg lighter. Some track-focused elements have been included with a new exhaust, Sports Pack suspension, double five-spoke wheels in alloy and heaps of carbon fibre to boot.

The V8 Vantage N420 engine is available with either a six-speed manual or Sportshift (optional) gearbox and on the inside we get seats in carbon fibre structure and “Race Track” fabric (taken from the V12 Vantage) and an instrument panel with graphite-look and leather or Alcantara steering wheel. The Roadster model also gets cruise control, Bluetooth and Park Distance Control (something handy if you don’t want to put a scratch on your shiny Aston).

Continue reading: Aston Martin V8 Vantage N420 Roadster pics

....

0 comments