Sir Stirling Moss offre une Aston Martin Cygnet à sa femme

Aston Martin propose désormais un modèle particulièrement compact, la Cygnet, plus qu'étroitement dérivé de la Toyota iQ. Le premier client de cette Aston pas comme les autres n'est autre que Stirling Moss qui l'a offerte à sa femme en guise de cadeau d'anniversaire.

Toute la technique de cette voiture (moteurs et châssis) reste d'origine Toyota. Seule la calandre présente quelque ressemblance avec celle des "vraies" Aston. Cette action de promotion mettant en scène Sir Stirling Moss ne doit rien au hasard, puisque l'ancien pilote a disputé en son temps les 24 Heures du Mans au volant d'une Aston Martin.

Le constructeur britannique avait d'abord annoncé que cette Cygnet ne serait vendue qu'aux clients possédant déjà une Aston Martin, mais il semble avoir revu sa position puisque, aux dernières nouvelles, la voiture pourra être achetée par n'importe qui. Le prix devrait tourner autour des 35 000 euros, soit plus du double d'une Toyota iQ équivalente.

Pour le fabricant de voitures de sport, cette opération constitue un moyen de réduire le niveau d'émissions global de sa gamme. C'est pour cette raison qu'une version électrique de cette petite Cygnet sera commercialisée ultérieurement.

Source & crédit photo: Aston Martin

Album Photo /// Aston Martin Cygnet Hatchback 2010

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Concept /// Aston Martin V12 Zagato 2011

C'est en l'honneur des cinquante ans du modèle Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato que le constructeur anglais et le carrossier italien ont décidé de collaborer à nouveau.

Interprétation moderne de cette référence de la compétition automobile, la nouvelle Aston Martin V12 Zagato a été dévoilée ce samedi 21 mai à l'occasion du célèbre concours d'élégance de la Villa D'Este, en Italie. Pour les amateurs, une version "course d'endurance" sera alignée lors des 24H du Nürburgring, les 25 et 26 juin prochains.

Aston Martín et Zagato ont d'autres voitures en commun, à l'image des V8 Vantage Zagato ou DB7 Zagato et à chaque fois le but est de marier l'image classieuse des Aston Martin à la patte pour moins agressive de Zagato. La V12 Zagato assure en quelque sorte la lignée de ce croisement toujours spectaculaire.

Sa carrosserie en aluminium est entièrement réalisée à la main, intégrant le fameux double bossage de toit - très typique - et permettant aux occupants de porter un casque sans toucher le ciel de toit.

Son 6 litres V12 développe 510 ch et 570 Nm. Peu de détails filtrent mais il est question d'une série très limitée à destination de quelques clients fortunés.

Source & crédit photo: Aston Martin

Album Photo /// Concept Aston Martin V12 Zagato 2011

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Aston Martin confirme une Cygnet électrique pour 2013

Fin 2011, Aston Martin va lancer la Cygnet, une petite citadine étroitement dérivée de la Toyota iQ. Aston Martin a annoncé aujourd'hui qu'une variante à propulsion électrique est prévue pour 2013: elle reprendra la technologie de la Toyota iQ électrique qui sera mise en production pour sa part en 2012.

La Cygnet est une adaptation signée Aston Martin de la petite Toyota iQ. La face avant a été redessinée et l'engin arbore une calandre typiquement Aston du plus bel effet! On note également des poignées de porte spécifiques, ainsi que de subtiles modifications de la poupe de la voiture. L'habitacle est totalement habillé de cuir, que ce soit pour les sièges, les contre-portes ou le tableau de bord.

Dans un premier temps, la Cygnet sera commercialisée exclusivement avec un moteur 1.3 essence en attendant l'iQ électrique en 2013. L'iQ by Aston Martin sera loin d'être bon marché puisqu'elle coûtera quelque 30 000 euros en version de base. La Cygnet va d'abord être vendue aux clients Aston.

Source & crédit photo: Aston Martin

Album Photo /// Aston Martin Cygnet Hatchback 2010

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Aston Martin Shows Off Finished One-77 at Concorso D'Eleganza

Aston Martin whisked the covers off the finally-final concept version of its limited run One-77 V12 supercar at this weekend's Concorso d'Eleganza at Villa d'Este. And while a trip to sunny Italy would have been more than welcome for anyone here at Carscoop, unfortunately we're secluded in our office on top of our laptops. But anyway, until Aston Martin decides to share the complete One-77 with the rest of the world, you can enjoy a full set of live photos that include images of the interior over at 'Omniauto' by clicking the link below. Also, for more details on the surprisingly dashing One-77, click here.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

Aston Martin One-77: Live High-Res Gallery from Concorso d'Eleganza

The first complete version of Aston Martin's strikingly gorgeous One-77 supercar made its world premiere at this weekend's Concorso d'Eleganza on the shores of Lake Como, Italy, where it won the 'Design Award for Concept Cars and Prototypes. Aston Martin had previously shown a rolling chassis of the supercar in Geneva, but this was the first time we saw the final version that came complete with an interior and running gear.

"Embodying everything Aston Martin stands for; the One-77 has proven itself as the most desirable automotive art form at its premiere today. We have achieved a new level of design and craftsmanship which has been clearly recognised by the public here in the homeland of design at Villa d'Este," said Aston Martin Chief Executive, Dr Ulrich Bez.

The hand-made One-77 that will be produced in a limited run of 77 units (hence the name) is Aston Martin's proposal in the cream of supercars competing with the likes of the Bugatti Veyron and Ferrari Enzo.

Even though the supercar's exterior design is clearly influenced by the firm's latest crop, the One-77 somehow manages to have its own distinct character. Same goes for the interior which features a two-tone theme and is slathered in leather and carbon fiber.

Set to be priced around US$1.45 million or €1.1 million, the One-77 is powered by an evolution of the 6.0-litre V12 engines fitted to the DBS, DB9 and new V12 Vantage models that produces more than 700 horsepower which is transmitted to the road through the rear wheels via a new six-speed robotized gearbox with paddles shifters on the steering wheel.

With a projected weight of around 1,500kg or 3,300 lbs, the One-77 is said to have a top speed in excess of 200mph or 320km/h, with a 0-60mph (96km/h) time in approximately 3.5 seconds.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

Aston Martin to Race New V12 Vantage at 24h of Nurburgring

For the fourth consecutive year, Aston Martin will take part at the Nurburgring 24-hour endurance race which begins on May 23. This time, the British automaker will participate with a near-standard V12 Vantage featuring only essential safety modifications, reduced weight, Pirelli slick tires and re-tuned suspension with no additional aerodynamic enhancements. There are no changes under the hood with the Vantage retaining the stock 6.0-litre V12 engine that produces 517HP and 570 Nm or 420 lb/ft of torque.

Aston Martin's team of drivers will include the company's boss Dr Ulrich Bez who will be driving in his fourth consecutive 24-hour race, as well as representatives from the automaker's engineering department.

"This is the final engineering durability test for the V12 Vantage programme, said Dr Ulrich Bez. "We will be subjecting the car to the toughest assessment yet under public scrutiny as we successfully did with the Vantage N24 programme," he added.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

Aston Martin to Show Finished One-77 with Interior and Running V12 at Villa d'Este

The ongoing saga of the presentation of Aston Martin's limited production One-77 will continue at this weekend' famous annual classic car show, Concorso d'Eleganza at Villa d'Este, with the world debut of the complete concept version. We remind you that Aston has been revealing prototype (...) models of the One 77 Concept for quite a while now, that latest being at the Geneva Motor show in March. This time, the British firm claims that the final concept version on show at Lake Como will include the interior which we have yet to see and a full running powertrain.

"The One-77 demonstrates the unique capabilities of our company – it encompasses engineering excellence with a great passion from our engineers, designers and technical partners. This is a major step in One-77's engineering program, showing the first complete car, and will demonstrate new benchmarks in many different fields of automotive design," said Aston Martin Chief Executive, Dr Ulrich Bez.

Overall, Aston Martin plans to build a maximum of 77 units of the limited edition supercar - hence the name, each one priced at around 1.1 million pounds or with the current exchange rates, US$1.45 million or €1.1 million. The One-77 is powered by a normally aspirated 7.3-liter V12 engine derived from the 6.0-litre V12s fitted to the DBS, DB9 and new V12 Vantage models, delivering a tad over 700HP to the rear wheels through the firm's sequential-manual gearbox.

The British automaker claims that the supercar sprint from zero to 60mph (96km/h) in around 3.5 seconds and go on to over 200mph (321 km/h).

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

Aston Martin Rapide: New Photo and Details on Production Model

With the development of the Rapide moving into its final stages, Aston Martin decided to released one more photo and more importantly, new details on its Porsche Panamera rivaling sports sedan. On course for a public debut at the Frankfurt Show in September with the first customer cars planned to be delivered in early 2010, the production model differs only in a few minor details compared to the Rapide Concept that was shown at the Detroit Auto Show in 2006.

In its latest press release, the British maker revealed that the much anticipated Rapide will be powered by a version of Aston Martin's 6.0-liter V12 engine producing 470bhp and 600Nm of torque. Power will be driven to the rear wheels through Aston Martin's paddle-operated six-speed Touchtronic automatic transmission. While performance figures have yet to be revealed, the British marque claims that early indications are that the four-seater sports sedan will offer 'class-leading performance and dynamics.'

Aston Martin Chief Executive, Dr. Ulrich Bez said: "The Rapide will be the most elegant four-door sports car in the world. It completes the Aston Martin range conveying our established attributes of Power, Beauty and Soul. In 2010 there will be an Aston Martin for every type of sports car customer regardless of the demands of their lifestyle. The Rapide is the most versatile, bringing a new benchmark of luxury and refinement to both driver and passenger."

"Rapide will exceed expectations to deliver elegance and practicality in a form that will allow driving enjoyment and comfort beyond anything that exists today," added Dr Ulrich Bez, "The Rapide will exist in a class all of its own, a true Aston Martin with the high performance and dynamic excellence that defines the brand, and a luxurious sporting grand tourer without equal."

The production version of the Rapide will be the first car in Aston Martin's history to be built out of Britain as production will be carried out by Magna Steyr at the firm's Austrian plant in Graz.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com