Aston Martin V12 Zagato-first official pics

At the 2011 Frankfurt autoshow the British will present the production version of the V12 Zagato.The new V12 Zagato will be powered obviously by a V12 engine making 517 HP and 570 NM of torque.

    Each of the 150 units sold will be hand crafted with exotic materials like carbon fiber and other kinds of fiber.The starting price on all versions will be
505.365 US Dollars.

Aston Martin’s V12 Zagato

Aston Martin has once again teamed with the Italian design house, with stunning results. The Aston Martin V12 Zagato ($TBA) offers aggressive yet graceful curves courtesy of a handcrafted bonded aluminum body, and features a front mid-mounted 6.0L V12 engine pumping out 510 hp, rear wheel drive, a steel roll cage, a six-speed gearbox with auto-shift and select shift manual modes, menacing LED taillights, and the iconic Zagato double bubble roof.

Not a lot’s happened mechanically, but Zagato’s gone to preposterous lengths to form that awesome body. Building the shell using machines wasn’t possible, so each aluminium design flourish was fabricated by hand from sheet metal before being grafted together to form a panel. The front wings alone are built in seven pieces. The road car in the pics has been untouched. Its 6.0-litre V12 still produces 510bhp and 420lb ft of torque. But there’s a stickered-up enduro racer in the works, which will compete in the 2011 24-hour Nurburgring.

As the trademark vehicle of choice for James Bond, it’s tough to make most Aston Martins any more elegant, powerful or aesthetically pleasing. Famed Italian coach-maker Zagato, however, managed to do just that with their brand new special edition Aston Martin V12 Zagato. Cast in aluminum and based off the classic V12 Vantage, design details on this formidable Aston concept car include Zagato’s signature “double bubble” roof (originally meant to allow extra headroom for racer’s bulky helmets), a muscular flank reminiscent of the Vanquish, and LED lights all around. Supposedly an in-between variant of the GT3-spec racing Vantage announced earlier this year and a future production model of the flagship Aston, the V12 Zagato is truly a one-of-one force to be reckoned with.

Aston Martin Cygnet

The Aston Martin Cygnet is a luxury city car manufactured by Aston Martin since 2011, and derived from the Toyota iQ. Its purpose is to allow Aston Martin to comply with the European Union's fleet average emissions standards to take place in 2012.

The Cygnet will be available initially only in the UK, and then to other EU countries. Production and sales commenced in January 2011 and the market coverage will expand by 2012.^[2] Sales will not be restricted; however, it is expected that demand from existing Aston Martin owners for Cygnet would initially take priority. Aston CEO Ulrich Bez recently announced shipping expectations of about 4000 per year at a price of about £30,000.^[3] Bez states that the Cygnet demonstrates the company's commitment to innovation and integrity, whilst respecting the need to satisfy demands of emissions and space.
The Cygnet has 98 bhp (73 kW; 99 PS) 1.3L straight-4 engine, it produces 110g of CO₂/km and the fuel consumption is 58.9 mpg_-US (3.99 L/100 km; 70.7 mpg_-imp).^[4]

In BBC's Top Gear car show (Season 15, Episode 3), the Cygnet was made fun of in the "News" section of the programme. Presenters Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond unanimously expressed distaste for the concept.

Aston Martin One-77

The Aston Martin One-77 is a two-door coupé built by Aston Martin.
It first appeared at the 2008 Paris Motor Show, although the car remained mostly covered by a "Savile Row tailored skirt" throughout the show,^[1] before being fully revealed at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show.

It will have a limited run of 77 units with delivery starting in October 2010.^[1][2][3] The car is featured in the video game Forza Motorsport 3 available as a drivable from AutoWeek Car Pack DLC. and Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit as a drivable vehicle in both factory form and in police livery. It featured in the 2011 video game Test Drive Unlimited 2 where it is drivable by players and is one of the quickest and most exclusive cars on the game. It also served as the cover art of the 2011 game Asphalt 3D

Car details

Prior to the One-77's Paris Motor Show debut, various details about the car had been leaked,^[4] but official specifications were not fully revealed until the 2009 Geneva Motor Show.
The One-77 will feature a full carbon fibre monocoque chassis, a handcrafted aluminium body, and a naturally aspirated 7.3 litre V12 engine with 750 hp (560 kW). Aston Martin claims that this will be the most powerful naturally aspirated production engine in the world when the car is delivered.^[5]
The car will also use a strengthened version of the DB9's 6-speed automated manual transmission and height-adjustable pushrod suspension coupled with dynamic stability control.^[6] It will feature Pirelli P Zero Corsa tyres (255/35 ZR20 front, 335/30 ZR20 rear) and Carbon Ceramic Matrix brakes.

The top speed was estimated to be 200 mph (320 km/h) but actual tests in December 2009 showed a figure of 220.007 mph (354.067 km/h),^[7] with a 0–60 mph time of approximately 3.5 seconds.
The engineering and build source of the carbon chassis and suspension system is contracted to Multimatic of Canada.
The projected weight is 1,500 kg (3,307 lb).

Due to the lack of details from Aston Martin, many automotive publications have speculated on the final pricing of the car. While estimates vary, all expect the price to easily run in the millions.
According to the website 925.nl, the One-77 will cost approximately £1,050,000.^[4] However, the Australian newspaper The Courier-Mail expects it to be priced at around AU$2.6 million.^[9], $800,000 of which is tax and import duty.
According to British magazine Top Gear, the car's price will be £1,200,000,^[10] while the American magazine Robb Report expects it to be priced at US$1,700,000. In India, the car is expected to be priced at Rs 20 crores or approximately $4.4 million.^[11]
On 13 May 2011, it was reported that a New Zealand businessman, Neil Graham, the co-founder of Mainfreight, paid NZ$2.8 million. It is the only One-77 in Australasia.^[12]

Accolades

The Aston Martin One-77 has been awarded with several internationally renowned design awards including the Concorso d’Eleganza Design Award for Concept Cars and Prototypes^[13], the GOOD DESIGN award by The Chicago Athenauem: Museum of Architecture and Design in North America^[14] and the "Best Design" award by the UK motoring magazine Auto Express.^[15] and many others.

Aston Martin DB5

The Aston Martin DB5 is a luxury grand tourer that was made by Aston Martin. Released in 1963, it was an evolution of the final series of DB4. The DB series was named honouring David Brown (the head of Aston Martin from 1947–1972).

The DB5 is famous for being the first and most recognised cinematic James Bond car.^[4] It has been featured in several films, most notably Goldfinger, Thunderball, GoldenEye, Tomorrow Never Dies, and Casino Royale. It was also used by actor Roger Moore, as he played a James Bond parody character in the film The Cannonball Run. It appears in several video games such as 007 Racing, James Bond 007: Agent Under Fire, From Russia with Love, and James Bond 007: Blood Stone. In the 2011 movie "Cars 2" a stylized version of the Aston Martin DB5 becomes the spy character, Finn McMissile.
The principal differences between the DB4 and DB5 are:

1. The all-aluminium engine was enlarged from 3.7 L to 4.0 L,
2. A new robust ZF five-speed transmission
3. Three SU carburettors, producing 282 bhp (210 kW), propelling the car to 145 mph (233 km/h): this engine, available on the Vantage (high powered) version of the DB4 since March 1962, became the standard Aston Martin power unit with the launch in September 1963 of the DB5.^[3]

Standard equipment on the DB5 included reclining seats, wool pile carpets, electric windows, twin fuel tanks, chrome wire wheels, oil cooler, magnesium-alloy body built to superleggera patent technique, full leather trim in the cabin and even a fire extinguisher. All models had 4 seats and 2 doors. The UK recommended list price of the sports saloon (coupe) in December 1963 was £4,248 including Purchase Tax, the convertible was £4,562.
Standard coupe:^[1]

• Engine: 3,995 cc (243.8 cu in) Inline-6
• Power: 282 bhp (210 kW) at 5500 rpm
• Torque: 288 lb·ft (390 N·m) at 3850 rpm
• Weight: 1,502 kg (3,310 lb)
• Top Speed: 145 mph (233 km/h)
• 0–60 mph (97 km/h) Acceleration: 7.1 s

Performance data from Motor magazine road test, 6 February 1965.

DB5 Vantage

The high-performance DB5 Vantage was introduced in 1964 featuring three Weber twin-choke 45DCOE side-draft carburettors and revised camshaft profiles, delivering greater top-end performance at the expense of overall flexibility, especially as legendary Weber's are renown as 'full-throttle' devices. This engine produced 314 hp (234 kW). Only 65 DB5 Vantage coupés were built.James Bond's DB5

The Aston Martin DB5 is one of the most famous cars in the world thanks to Oscar winning special effects genius (also known as 'the Real Q') (1964). Although in the novel, the DB5 was the company's newest model when the film was being made. The car used in the film was the original DB5 prototype, with another standard car used for stunts. Two more modified cars were built for publicity tours after the film's release. In January 2006, one of those cars was auctioned in Arizona for US $2,090,000. The same car was originally bought in 1970 for £5,000 from the owner, Sir Anthony Bamford, by a Tennessee museum owner.The other car is located in the Netherlands in the Louwman Museum, and this car was mainly used for promoting the movie.

Within the universe of James Bond, the same car was used again in the following film, Thunderball (registration BMT 216A), a year later. A different Aston Martin DB5 (registration BMT 214A) was used in the 1995 Bond film, GoldenEye in which three different DB5s were used for filming. The BMT 214A also returned in Tomorrow Never Dies (1997), and was set to make a cameo at Castle Thane in The World Is Not Enough (1999), but the scene was cut. Yet another DB5 appeared in Casino Royale (2006), this one with the steering wheel on the left side versus the previous British versions.
The first DB5 prototype used in Goldfinger with the chassis number DP/216/1 was later stripped of its weaponry and gadgetry by Aston Martin and then resold. It was then retrofitted by subsequent owners with nonoriginal weaponry. The Chassis DP/216/1 DB5 was stolen in 1997 from its last owner in Florida and is currently still missing.[8]
A highly detailed 1:24 scale die-cast model with many working features was produced as a limited edition by the Danbury Mint. A highly detailed kit was also produced by Airfix between 1966 and 1970.[9]
In January 2011 a 1/8 scale model was released by part work magazine publisher GE Fabbri in the UK. Over 85 weekly parts, the model builds into one of the biggest 007 scale models to date, with working gadgets and lights. [2]
On 1 June 2010, RM Auctions announced the upcoming auction of a DB5 used in Thunderball and Goldfinger. The owner – Jerry Lee, President/Owner of WBEB Radio in Philadelphia, PA- originally bought the car from the Aston Martin company for $12,000 in 1969, and it was expected to reach a price of $5,000,000 (US).[10] At the auction, this famous DB5 was eventually sold for 2,600,000 GBP ($4,103,000 US).

Use in popular culture An Aston Martin DB5 appeared in heavily stylized form as 'Finn McMissile', a British secret agent voiced by Michael Caine in the 2011 Pixar film Cars 2. The car character was an homage to the Bond DB5.

1965 DB5 Vantage convertible

DB5 convertible

Just 123 convertible DB5s were produced, though they never used the typical "Volante" name, which only commenced with DB6 models. The convertible was offered from 1963 through to 1965. Only 19 of the 123 DB5 Convertibles made were left-hand drive.

Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato

The Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato was introduced in October 1960 at the London Motor Show. It was effectively a DB4 GT, lightened and improved by the Zagato factory in Italy, by Ercole Spada. Initially the factory had plans to produce 25 cars, but demand wasn't as strong as expected and production ceased at the 20th unit. Nowadays, due to the rarity and popularity of the DB4 GT Zagato, the cars are worth a considerable amount of money, and at auction they reach well in excess of £1 million.
The popularity of the original DB4 GT Zagato has resulted in two subsequent waves of cars based on DB4s being rendered into "Zagatos" through the cooperation of Aston Martin and the Zagato works in Italy. They are known as "Sanction II" and "Sanction III" cars. Also, an unauthorised but lucrative private industry of modifying original DB4 GTs into "Zagato" replicas has arisen as well to meet market demand for high-quality Zagato recreations.

Engine

Although the specification of the engine was changed and upgraded throughout their racing history, the Zagato predominantly featured a 3.7 litre, aluminium, twin spark, straight 6 cylinder engine. With an more powerful 9.7:1 compression ratio when compared to the DB4 GT engine.
The engine produced 314 hp (234 kW), a 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) acceleration of just 6.1 seconds and a top speed of approximately 154 mph (246 km/h).^[1]

Body

Ercole Spada at Zagato transformed the DB4 GT into a smaller, more aerodynamic, super lightweight car. Many steel components were replaced by aluminium counterparts. Basically all non-essential elements disappeared, such as the bumpers. With the help of Perspex and aluminium components, more than 100 pounds (45 kg) was shed off the DB4 GT.

Racing history

Four of the original Zagato's, chassis' 0191, 0193, 0182(1 VEV) and 0183(2 VEV) were built to a lightened DP207/209 specification, especially for racing. The DP209 cars have a lower roofline, larger rear wings, a reshaped tail and flatter, longer front end.
The first competition outing of a DB4 GT Zagato was during Easter in 1961 at Goodwood. Driven by Stirling Moss the car finished 3rd, behind an Aston Martin DB4GT and the winning Ferrari 250 GT.
The most prominent DB4 GT Zagatos, affectionately known by the registration plates they share, of '1 VEV' and '2 VEV' which were both raced under the John Ogier's Essex Racing Stable with assistance from the Aston Martin factory. Both the Zagatos raced in the 1961 24 Hours of Le Mans. However a repeat of the 1959 Le Mans victory was not to be, with both cars retiring. In July 1961 at a British Grand Prix Support race the Zagato had its first victory. With '2 VEV' taking the last lap lead from a Jaguar E Type.
'2 VEV' crashed heavily at Spa in 1962 and was rebuilt to the lightweight DP209 specification. After a road accident in 1993 the car was returned to the 1962 specification.
Chassis 0200 raced in the 1962 24 Hours of Le Mans, however a blown piston after 9½ hours forced the car to retire.

Sanction II Zagatos

In 1991, 4 unutilised chassis numbers were put to use. With the approval of Aston Martin, four DB4 chassis were appropriately uprated to GT specifications. These chassis were then sent to Zagato's Milan workshop to be bodied like the originals, with a smaller oval grille, sans the stock DB4 GT's rear tail fins, and with a smoothed out rear end. To familiarise the workforce with construction techniques of the 60's, an original DB4 GT Zagato was sent along to be dismantled. These 'Works Approved Replicas' were known as the Sanction II cars. They were outwardly identical, but several changes were effected in the interest of better handling. Each of these cars sold for over $1,000,000. Differences to the 'originals' include a larger engine capacity, increasing from 3.7 litres to 4.2 litres and a smaller wheel diameter from 16" inches to 15" inches. The first of the four GT specification rolling chassis was delivered to Zagato in January 1989 and the fourth in April of the same year. With all four being completed in July 1991. All four cars were then given their own chassis numbers appropriate to the 1960s.

Aston Martin DB9

he Aston Martin DB9 is a GT sports car launched by Aston Martin in 2004.

The DB9 is the first model to be built at Aston Martin's Gaydon facility in Warwickshire, England. The moniker "DB" stems from the initials of David Brown, the owner of Aston Martin for a significant part of its history. The DB9, which was designed by Ian Callum and finished by his successor, Henrik Fisker, superseded the now-discontinued Aston Martin DB7 (also by Callum) which started production in 1994.

The Aston Martin DB9 comes in two variants; the coupé and 'Volante' convertible, each producing 470 bhp (350 kW; 477 PS) from a 6.0L V12 engine, originally taken from its sister car the V12 Vanquish. In fact, this V12 engine is why Aston Martin did not call the car the DB8, which could suggest that it has only a V8 engine.^[1] One report states that Aston Martin believed that this car was such a huge leap from the Jaguar XJ-S based DB7 that it named it DB9 instead of DB8, which they thought would indicate a gradual evolution.^[2] The Gaydon facility's production capacity for the DB9 could allow for approximately five thousand units per year, which is roughly the same production volume as other esteemed sports cars, in particular the Ferrari F430 and Porsche 911 Turbo. The DB9, however, is more often compared against other competitors in its segment: the Ian Callum designed Jaguar XKR, the Volkswagen-produced Bentley Continental GT, the ten-cylinder powered BMW M6, and the AMG variants of the Mercedes-Benz SL. Traditionally being a maker of more exclusive automobiles, CEO Dr. Ulrich Bez assures Aston Martin loyalists that production numbers of the DB9 will be slightly higher than previous models; however, Aston Martin will still retain only a small statistical percentage of the high-end sports car market.^[3]

The DB9 is the first Aston Martin model to be designed and developed upon Ford's aluminium VH (vertical/horizontal) platform. The body structure is composed of aluminium and composites melded together by mechanically fixed self-piercing rivets and robotic assisted adhesive bonding techniques.^[4] The innovative bonded aluminium structure possesses more than double the torsional rigidity of its predecessor's, despite being 25 percent lighter.^[4] Aston Martin's engineers designed the quad-cam, 48-valve engine for the V12 Vanquish in collaboration with Ford's Research and Vehicle Technology team (RVT) and were able to reduce its weight by 11.8 kg (26 lb) for use in the DB9.^[4]

DB9 Volante

A DB9 Volante.

The Aston Martin DB9 Volante is the convertible version of the DB9 coupe. It is built by hand in limited numbers and has enhanced styling. It is powered by the same 6.0 litre, DOHC 48 valve V12 as the DB9 and is completed with 470 bhp (331 kW) and a top speed of 186 mph (300 km/h).^{[citation needed]} Because it is a convertible it will do 0–60 mph in 4.9 seconds,^[6] three-tenths of a second slower than the hard top coupe. The Volante is taller than the hardtop, standing at 51.2 inches (1,300 mm) compared to 50.1 inches (1,270 mm). The transmission options are either the Graziano-sourced six speed manual or the ZF-sourced six speed 'Touchtronic 2' automatic. The DB9 Volante is featured in the television shows Desperate Housewives and Entourage.

DB9 LM

In order to commemorate Aston Martin's victory at the 2007 24 Hours of Le Mans, a special edition of the DB9 was released. Known as the DB9 LM, the car is limited to only 124 examples. All are coupes, and will only be available in a unique color known as Sarthe Silver, named in honour of the Circuit de la Sarthe, where Le Mans is run. The Sports Pack is included, while the brake calipers are painted red and a chromed mesh grill are added.

Facelift

In 2008, Aston Martin decided to do a facelift to the DB9. Changes include a more powerful engine, re-designed interior and some minor exterior modifications. Exterior modifications include a new front grille, re-designed mirrors which look closer to the DBS supercar made by the same company and all-new wheel designs available for the customers to choose from. Customers also can now select clear tail lights for their DB9, much like the ones in the DBS.
Changes have been made to the engine as well which now produces 20 PS (15 kW; 20 hp) more (470 PS) and 600 N·m (440 lb·ft) through an increased compression ratio in the rethought cylinder heads. The Touchtronic gearbox has been modified as well to make faster and smoother changes. This was possible with the use of a new hydraulic control box. The new gearbox is also said to make parking easier than before. New Bilstein suspension was also added to the car which improved ride quality and handling characteristics.
Interior modifications include a re-designed center console which is identical to the one from the DBS supercar and thicker glass to reduce noise in the cabin.
In 2011, Aston Martin will give the DB9 another minor facelift, changing the front fascia, headlights, taillights, door sills, and wheels. The 2011 DB9 also gets Aston Martin’s Adaptive Damping System as standard equipment (previously an option.)

Motorsport

The DBR9 which won its class at the 2007 and 2008 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Main articles: Aston Martin DBR9 and Aston Martin DBRS9

The DB9 has been adapted for use in sports car racing by Prodrive. Initially the DBR9 was launched prior to the 2005 season, running in the ACO and FIA's GT1 class. It retains the DB9's 6.0 litre V12 engine, but has been extensively modified to decrease its weight as well as to improve performance.^[9][10] The DBR9 won in its debut at the 2005 12 Hours of Sebring, and has gone on to take wins in the American Le Mans Series, Le Mans Series, FIA GT Championship, as well as the 24 Hours of Le Mans.^[11]

Along with the DBR9, a DBRS9 variant was also developed. This car runs in the GT3 category, mostly used for small national championships as well as the FIA GT3 European Championship. The DBRS9 also uses the standard V12, but is not as highly tuned as the unit in the DBR9. Bodywork modifications are also more subdued.
It weighs 1 tonne (2,200 lb) and does 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 3.4 seconds with a top speed estimated at 200 mph (320 km/h).

Top Gear

On the British automotive show Top Gear the DB9 is thought of highly, notably on the show's "Cool Wall" segment, where the presenters considered it to be "too cool" for the wall and it received its own category, dubbed the "DB9 Sub Zero Fridge" which was in fact a mini-refrigerator with the car's card within it.

Aston Martin V12 Vantage Zagato

Woow Aston Martin and Zagato just finished their collaboration on this new supercar they've worked together at.This model will compete on the prestigious 24 hours Nurburgring race.Named Aston Martin V12 Zagato,this amazing supercarul will be on display this weekend at the elegance competition Villa d'Este,late, in 25 June, to participate at the 24 hours Nurburgring race, driven by pilots Jim Clark şi Roy Salvadori.This is clearly a tribute to Aston DB4 Zagato. After this extensive promoting campaign these 2 partners will reveal a final street version manufactured in a very limited number so this will be a really rare car.As its name suggests this special edition is based on the V12 Vantage model heavily modified by Zagato in the attempt to combine the tradition and style of this 2 brands and also to combine breath taking design with the latest racing technology. The Aston Martin team that worked on this special edition is leaded by Chris Porritt,the man that coordinated and helped develop the exclusivist supercar One-77.Under the hood of this Aston we find the already well known 6.0 l V12 engine producing 510 HP and 420lbs/ft of torque.The car was equipped with a safety pack including a roll cage,a 31 gallons fuel tank,performance braking system and a set of Multimatic DSSV suspensions.Can't wait to see the production model whose price will be probably of more than 1 million dollars. The new one->>

CARS | Aston Martin DB9 Volante | GALLERY | 2011

Aston Martin DBS Volante will debut in 2009 Geneva Auto Show. End of programming Aston Martin DBS Volante allow new customers a combination of DBS has already established the baseline characteristics of sports car with all the excitement of the open-air driving.

Extended character DBS Aston Martin DBS Volante appeal to motorists who want to combine the pleasure of driving a finely tuned sports car with a refreshing sense of being open to the elements. This juxtaposition of ultimate performance and affects the opening of the senses on all drives, be it an exciting excursion on the roads or disadvantaged cruise on long trips. "Flying" which means "move with speed of light, perfectly defines the potential behavior and dynamic performance of the Aston Martin DBS Volante.

CARS | REVIEWS | Aston Martin DB9 Volante | 2011

CARS | REVIEWS | Aston Martin DB9 Volante | 2011 Since its launch in 2003, the DB9 coupe has become very, very desirable. Order now as it was a work in progress in the early days. It is soft and refined, but can play the super stonking great enthusiasm and with a manual transmission is an absolute riot. But what about flying?

He still looks the part. Despite this DB9 base form is now eight years old, manages to look elegant and desirable. May well have been excluded from care by the Virage and the new DBS, DB9, but has a certain discreet charm by comparison. The latest edition received a minor visual refresh in 2010, with adaptive damping upgrade the mechanical key. Otherwise, the same basic ingredients - 6.0-liter V12 engine, six-speed ZF automatic with paddle shifters, rear and an electro-retractable roof.

2011 Aston Martin DB9 Volante Statistics :
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- Basic price? ==> £137,340
- On sale in the UK ==> Now
- Standard Engine ==> V12, 5935cc, 470bhp @ 6000rpm, 442lb ft @ 5000rpm
- Transmission ==> 6-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive
- Performance ==> 4.6sec 0-62mph, 190mph, 17.2mpg, 345g/km CO2
- How heavy / made of? ==> 1815kg/aluminium
- How big (length/width/height in mm)? ==> 4710/1875/1270mm

CARS ASTON MARTIN DB9 VOLANTE GALLERY PHOTO