Aston Martin One-77

Amazing leaked images reveal all about Aston's £1.2m flagship – including first interior pictures!

Feast your eyes – Aston Martin's new One-77 has been laid bare! These amazing pictures, which have been leaked onto the internet from an official Aston document, shed more light on the £1.2m flagship supercar and give us our first glimpse at its interior. As you can see, the cabin is just as dramatic as the exterior with a host of bold curves designed to cocoon the two occupants. Sharing some design DNA with the DB9 and DBS, the limited edition One-77 gets a swooping centre console on which controls such as the starter button are placed and a three-spoke steering wheel with paddles for the six-speed transmission. Seats come in three sizes – small, medium and large – and are then tailored individually to the owner. What's more, owners can choose a luxurious 10-way adjustable seat or go for a lightweight racing style bucket. Whatever seats or bespoke leather trim they choose, owners will be able to see the One-77's carbon chassis from inside the cabin. Its structural points are integrated with the interior.Underlining the totally bespoke nature of each individual car, Aston says owners can choose whatever colour they like for the exterior while engineers will fine-tune the suspension to suit their needs. The One-77 gets new fully adjustable dampers that feature advanced Dynamic Suspension Spool Valve (DSSV) technology – a world-first for a road car. These use high-precision machined components that vary the shock-absorbing characteristics of the damper without having to remove them from the car.As for the 7.3-litre V12 engine, the only parts shared with Aston's 6.0-litre V12 are the timing chain and sprocket – apart from that it's totally new. It produces 700hp and weighs 25 per cent less than the 6.0-litre unit. With the whole car weighing in at around 1,500kg, the One-77 is predicted to have a top speed in excess of 200mph, with a 0-60mph time of 3.5 seconds. A pop-up spoiler rises from the bootlid to improve stability at high speed while vents in the front splitter close and open automatically to maximise airflow. The transmission is a new six-speed gearbox which is controlled via steering-wheel paddles. Owners can choose between full automatic and manual modes. Brakes are carbon-ceramic discs with uprated calipers.

Ultimate Aston has Veyron in sight

Heat is on in the £1million hypercar club as Brit’s new One-77 goes head-to-head with fastest-ever Bugatti...

In true James Bond style, some top-secret files have been liberated – and these are the spectacular results. This is Aston Martin’s ultra-exclusive supercoupé, the One-77, revealed for the first time thanks to images you weren’t meant to see. At least not yet anyway!

And in a double scoop, Auto Express can also take the wraps off the One-77’s closest rival in the billionaire club – Bugatti’s forthcoming Veyron Super Sport (see panel, opposite). This is an even more powerful version of the world’s fastest car, and as with the One-77, it’s another £1m machine. It will have the Aston beaten for speed, but will it match it for visual drama?

Judging by these images, the answer has to be no. The One-77 was partly unveiled at last month’s Paris Motor Show – bosses kept it cloaked under a cover, revealing only the front and rear wings. But these are the first images to show the newcomer from every angle.

The car here is the same prototype that appeared at Paris. After it left the French expo, it was photographed by Aston Martin and the pictures sent to potential buyers.

However, they leaked on to the Internet. And, as you can see, the One-77 is the ultimate progression of a shape that has evolved through the Vanquish, DB9, V8 Vantage and, most recently, the DBS.

At the front, it has a huge grille and wide wings with deep air intakes. The flanks get gaping gills, too, while at the rear is a race-style diffuser and what looks like a pop-up spoiler integrated into the bootlid – this is part of the car’s ‘active aerodynamics’. Add the deep side air intakes and grooved ceramic disc brakes, and the One-77 looks every inch a £1.2million machine.

Although official details are still scarce, the new Aston is said to feature a modified version of the 6.0-litre V12 that appears in the DBS. With a capacity of 7.3 litres, this will be the firm’s most powerful engine ever, producing around 700bhp.

Thanks to a carbon fibre monocoque chassis and a hand-finished aluminium body, the One-77 should tip the scales at around 1,500kg. That means a 0-60mph sprint time of around 3.5 seconds and a top speed of more than 200mph.

A twin-clutch semi-automatic gearbox with steering wheel paddleshifters is likely to be fitted, while buyers will get the option of a six-speed manual, plus adjustable suspension.

But it’s not all about speed and power. Aston is expected to reveal the interior soon, too, and it’s sure to be one of the most luxurious ever made, offering customers an incredible level of personalisation. Owners will be able to tailor nearly every part of the cabin to suit their own tastes – no two cars will be the same. About the only thing they won’t be able to change is the interior layout: the One-77 will be a strict two-seater.

Despite the current financial slowdown, interest in the Aston has been very strong, with more than 100 potential buyers putting their names down for the limited run of 77 models. Bosses will take the wraps off the final production version of the One-77 early next year.

Aston Martin DBS Touchtronic

We drive the British car maker's latest version of its range-topping DBS.

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It’s the pinnacle of the Aston Martin line up and the car of choice for James Bond. And now for the first time the stunning DBS can be ordered with the British firm's Touchtronic gearbox.

The transmission of choice on 90 per cent of standard DB9’s the automatic gearbox has been reworked to suit the sporty nature of the DBS. Aston Martin’s engineers contemplated using the automated manual Sportshift unit from the smaller Vantage but decided that despite its more traditional torque converter set up the automatic Touchtronic could offer the right blend of usability and involvement to keep DBS customers happy.

And the end result is very impressive – when driven in conventional auto mode the gearbox makes the DBS easy to live with in traffic and it copes with low speed manoeuvring better than the automated manual in the Vantage. But given the DBS’s power and focused handling, plenty of driver interaction is crucial and thankfully the steering wheel mounted paddles offer excellent control and a lovely throttle blip on the downshift. The upshifts are 15 per cent faster than in the standard DB9 and if you press the Sport button they are 25 per cent quicker. In addition to making up changes faster the Sport button also gives you a sportier throttle response.

Crucially, if you change up a gear at half throttle the changes are smoother than the Vantage’s Sportshift transmission too and with a shorter final drive ratio, despite being 30kg heavier, the Touchtronic DBS matches the manual’s 0-100mph performance.

Not only that, emissions drop from 388g/km to 367g/km, while claimed combined economy rises from 17.2mpg to a still scary 18.2mpg. But then fuel costs are not high on the list of super car owners concerns and even with its £3,000 price premium over the manual it’s no surprise that Aston Martin predict that the Touchtronic will account for 75 per cent of future DBS orders.

And with demand for the sporty flagship outstripping supply the British firm has increased total DBS production from 500 to 1,000 cars a year. Other updates to the 2009-model year car include a standard Bang and Olufsen audio system and the option of 20-inch diamond turned alloy wheels, which are 2Kg lighter per rim. All of which means it isn’t just James Bond that can have extra toys on his DBS.

Aston One-77

Leaked image reveals all for new £1.2m supercar

Never mind 007, this is Aston’s very own secret agent, the One-77…
These leaked images finally reveal the British car maker’s ultra exclusive super coupe, first shown as a cloaked concept at this year’s Paris Motor Show.


Taking design cues from the DBS and Vantage, the One-77 features an enormous front grille and wide wings with deep air intakes. The flanks get gaping gills too while at the rear is a racing-style diffuser.


Though official details on the Bugatti Veyron rival are still scarce, the strict two-seater is said to offer 700bhp from a 6.0-litre V12 engine, making it the most powerful model Aston has ever made.
 


Due on sale in 2009, the car will tip the scales at only 1500kg, meaning performance should be absolutely incredible.
 
But it’s not all about speed and power. Likely to cost £1.2million, the Aston will be one of the most expensive machines ever produced, offering an incredible level of personalisation with no two cars being alike. 
 


Despite this – and the current financial uncertainty – interest has reportedly been very strong, with enough names listed on the order books to find homes for the car's first years of production.

Aston Martin Lagonda to show off brand's luxury side

Last seen on the straight lined sedan from Aston Martin, the Lagonda nameplate was at the time a high end competitor to the likes of Rolls Royce.

Now it seems that the revival of the nameplate will have less of an association with the Aston Martin brand and, instead, move towards become a full-fledged brand. The reasoning for such a move is that Aston Martin has reinvented itself as a creator of achingly beautiful, GT-like cars. A Lagonda brand, on the other hand, would allow them to offer a series of completely differently focused vehicles without fear of dilution. And the focus? Lagonda badged vehicles will shift towards the more comfort and luxury side of the automotive spectrum.

Our take? Hopefully, the brand will draw inspiration from the late 70's-80's Lagonda, and provide a mix of distinctive looks (and not Aston Martin derived), comfort, and pace.

Sexy Aston Martin Seeks Italian Makeover

Aston Martin is considering leaving its old standby Newport Pagnell for a fling with one of three car specialist manufacturers -- Karmann, Magna Steyr, or Pininfarina -- for the construction of the new, sleek automobile, the Rapide.

Noting that the car must be built in a less antiquated facility with ample space and modern capabilities, Aston Martin's chief executive, Dr. Ulrich Bez, confirms that the old Newport Pagnell doesn't meet the criteria for the building of the new four-door model.

"Many manufacturers already build models at specialist manufacturers like Karmann, Magna Steyr and Pininfarina, where they have top quality facilities and all the capabilities needed," said Bez.

While he confirms that the development of the elegant Rapide is moving along speedily, Aston Mart has yet to be determined how many might actually sell. "The Rapide will not be a four-seat limo; that is not its role," he said. "It will, however, be far more elegant and stylish than any other luxury four-seat model."

Project Alligator. It's Not What You Think

Free from Ford's, Aston Martin has apparently taken the next step towards ensuring its future.

Project Alligator is said to be an alliance between Aston with Mercedes-Benz. This gives Aston the advantage of the German marquee's great V8 and V12 motors; coincidentally, the same types of motors Aston Matin uses in its own autos. The plan could even grow to include platform sharing between the brands.

As one sided as this agreement may seem to be for Aston Martin, Mercedes apparently hopes to gain some of the "soul" and handcrafted-like qualities Aston brings to its cars, traits which help to make the cars feel that much more special, and apply them to its own products.

Just how far this agreement will go however, is yet to be seen.

Our take? Incredible if it comes to fruition to to its fullest extent: an Aston Martin with an AMG-like motor is nearly automotive perfection.

New Bond Film “Quantum of Solace” Plagued by Car Accidents

James Bond movies are known for things like their high octane driving sequences and bevy of impossibly beautiful female co-stars.

Many automobiles have met their untimely demise while chasing James Bond in whatever model Aston Martin, Lotus, or other exotic car he was driving at the time. Usually this only happens on celluloid as part of the plot.

That is, until now.

During filming of the latest James Bond installment titled “The Quantum of Solace”, there have been myriad car accidents linked to the film. So much so that people in the cast and crew have started to suspect that it is “cursed.” With two major car crashes and two major injuries to the leading man with the film as yet incomplete, there may be some truth to the notion.

The first accident on the film occurred on a road by a lake in Italy where a stunt driver in a classic Aston Martin DB5 lost control of the vehicle and it ended up in the water. We guess that wasn’t part of the script? Too bad it couldn’t turn into a submarine like the Lotus in “The Spy Who Loved Me.”

Another accident, also in Italy, saw the demise of an Alfa Romeo Brera when it smashed into a wall. Again, this was unintentional but thankfully the stunt driver was uninjured. As for real bodily injuries, that seems to be a problem only befalling the leading man.

Daniel Craig is the latest in a long line of men to don the tuxedo to play James Bond. In his first Bond film “Casino Royale,” he had the guts and the physique to give women and gay men across the globe a freeze frame worthy DVD moment when he arose from the ocean surf only wearing aqua blue short shorts. Never before had a man playing Bond allowed himself to be objectified physically like has been so common in previous films with the “Bond girls.”

During filming of “Quantum,” however, Mr. Craig has managed to both slice off the tip of one of his fingers and get a gash on his face that required eight stitches. While a gash on the face could cause some actors serious problems, Mr. Craig manages the unique task of being handsome while looking like he has already been punched in the face one too many times.

The idea of a curse on a major motion picture set, though, sounds a little bit like the “Scooby Doo” episode where they unmask old man Phelps after he had been posing as the scary Tar Monster. Like the “curse” on “The Quantum of Solace,” he too had been trying to shut down a film shoot. Only he would have gotten away with it too, if it wasn’t for those meddling kids!

Aston Martin One-77. Birth of Another Supercar

Is the world ready for another supercar? Well, ready or not, here it comes.

It’s from Aston Martin and it’s called the One-77. The lightweight sports car (said to be 3,300 pounds) has a carbon fiber chassis, aluminum body panels, and a 7.0 liter V-12 engine. The latter can generate 650 horsepower and go from 0 to 60 in 3.5 seconds.

Top speed is reported to be 220 mph

The One-77 comes with a hefty price tag. How hefty? How does $2.4 million sound to you?

Only 77 vehicles will be manufactured. Our take? Hey, we get it! One-77, 77 vehicles offered.

Aston Martin DB9 Caparo Brakes: James Bond Saviors?

Everyone remembers that heartbreaking scene in James Bond Casino Royale.

You know. That moment where he flipped over in the Aston Martin DBS and completely totaled it. That was a crime against everything good and pure. Did you know they totaled three of them? That’s right. Three Aston Martins. All for one woman. Was that woman worth it?

Well, if James Bond had the new DB9 Caparo brake upgrade kit, he might not have gone tumbling over. The new brakes can reduce stopping distance by a substantial 24 percent. The old 355 mm brake discs are replaced by 378 mm discs. Calipers are upgraded front and rear. The new brakes require 30 percent less force on the pedals for the same result, so the only problem drivers may experience is potentially light cases of whiplash. Caparo says the new DB9’s brake distribution now sends 63 percent to the front brakes, up 3 percent from the usual stock.

For the completely reasonable price of $1900 for the rear kit and $3100 for the front kit, you can be a proud owner of better brakes on an already proud car.

Our take? Save the woman and keep the car. That’s the way to do it.

Prince Charles uses Ethanol, Biodiesel for Autos

As Prince Charles waits and waits and waits to take the throne from his mother Queen Elizabeth II, he has built a pretty good reputation for himself on certain issues including the environment.

One way is reducing the amount of carbon dioxide he puts into the atmosphere.
He has reduced plane and car travel, for example. In dealing with the latter, first, he owns a variety of cars including a 38 year old Aston Martin, Jaguars, an Audi, and several Range Rovers. Instead of using petro (as the people of the UK say, which is gasoline to us Yanks) he uses "wine" (ethanol) to power the Aston Martin and biodiesel made from used cooking oil on the other vehicles.

Our take? Cheerio, Prince. Good Show!