Aston Martin confirmed that the Cygnet luxury city car – originally shown as a concept car in March – is to go into production in 2011 at the company’s Gaydon headquarters in Warwickshire. It is derived from the Toyota IQ and its purpose is to allow Aston Martin to comply with the strict emissions rule by the European Union in place in 2012.It is time to think differently. Aston Martin is honest and we don’t make compromises” says Aston Martin CEO Dr Ulrich Bez.
“Whatever we do, we do right. If we do performance, we do performance; we don’t downsize or compromise our sports cars. The Cygnet needs to satisfy the demands of emissions and space. It is a car without compromise, just like every other Aston Martin.
“Our customers need a small car for urban and city use, and they want the right tools for the right job, to downsize creatively without compromising intelligence, artistry and personality.”
Cygnet expresses a simple but fundamental idea: in the modern city, scale equates to speed and freedom. Just 118 inches long, the Cygnet gives the driver a new dimension of freedom, able to slot into gaps in traffic, exploit the smallest parking spaces, consume the least fuel and emit the lowest emissions, all while delivering exceptional levels of quality and comfort.
Cygnet is a product of Aston Martin’s experience in craft, technology and design. The future city will present a very different luxury brand landscape, as social change and legislation increases the division between urban and anti-urban product categories. With the Cygnet, Aston Martin will be at the forefront of these changes, ensuring the company’s enduring brand image will continue to prosper in new market conditions.
Aston Martin hot car Aston Martin back side view Aston Martin wall paper “Cygnet is small but luxurious, an Aston Martin tailor fit for the city,” says Marek Reichman, Aston Martin’s Director of Design. With an almost unlimited palette of materials, colors and textures, each hand-finished Cygnet will be truly unique, a personalized space within the city. “Luxury is not constrained by scale.”
Aston Martin V8 Vantage GT4. Aston Martin Racing has released the 2009 specification Vantage GT4 based on Aston Martin’s new 4.7 litre V8 Vantage. The new Vantage GT4 builds on the success of its predecessor, the 4.3 litre Vantage N24.
“In the last two years, the N24 has proved to be one of the most successful cars in its class; winning the Nurburgring 24 Hours this year, as well as several FIA GT4 races,” said David Richards. “We have built on this success to develop the Vantage GT4, a competitive racing car for professional and semi-professional drivers, but also a forgiving car which will appeal to enthusiasts who wish to use it for track days and club racing.”
The Vantage GT4 is built to FIA GT4 regulations and is eligible to compete in the following series: FIA GT4 European Cup; British GT4 Championship; Britcar Endurance Series; German GT4 Championship; Dutch Supercar Challenge; Dutch GT4 Championship; VLN Endurance Championship at the Nurburgring; Australian Endurance Championship; the American SCCA Championship; and the Aston Martin Owners Club Race Series.
The Vantage GT4 comes with either a manual transmission or sportshift transmission. It is priced from £96,645 and is available to order now with delivery in January 2009.
Aston Martin Racing is now the only manufacturer to produce cars in each of the GT classes: GT1, GT2, GT3 and GT4.
The GT4 is based on the latest 4.7 litre V8 Vantage and is hand built by Aston Martin Racing.
The 4.7 litre eight cylinder engine has an engine management system recalibrated for race use. It also has a free flow exhaust system and air filters, and the standard V8 dry sump lubrication system is retained, helping to prevent oil surge during cornering.
Aston Martin V8 Vantage GT4
The Vantage GT4 can be supplied with either a six speed manual, or a Sportshift transmission with paddle controls. Both versions have a Valeo twin-plate cerametallic racing clutch and lightweight flywheel to complete the powertrain specification.
At 1,330 kg the Vantage GT4 is 300 kg lighter than the standard car. This has been achieved through a range of weight reduction measures. The interior trim is removed with the exception of the facia moulding, which is re-trimmed in Alcantara, and the console and door casings are replaced by new lightweight mouldings.
The chassis has been fitted with a high-strength steel rollcage and Recaro competition seats. A suede-trimmed steering wheel with a quick release mechanism is also fitted as standard. The Vantage GT4’s safety features are completed with a Sabelt sixpoint safety harness with a push-button release and Lifeline Zero 360 gas extinguisher system.
The V8 Vantage road car’s suspension has required only minor adjustments for optimal track performance. These include larger diameter front and rear anti-roll bars and adjustable ride height aluminium dampers, as well as single rate, flat ground springs with separate helper springs. The front subframe is modified for extra camber and castor. Cast magnesium front and rear wheels are standard fit with high performance Yokohama A048-R tyres. The brakes are uprated with Pagid RS 29 race pads.
As further endorsement of the standard V8 Vantage underframe, the active safety systems are directly carried over to the Vantage GT4, including: dynamic stability control, traction control, ABS and electronic brakeforce distribution, providing reassurance and enhanced control in slippery conditions.
Specification of Aston Martin Vantage GT4:
Engine & Transmission
· Aston Martin Racing 4.7 litre V8 GT4 engine · ITG cylindrical foam air filters · Reduced cell density primary catalysts · Revised engine calibration (97 RON fuel) · EGR and secondary air system removed · Simplified oil breather system with catch tank · Weight-reduced rear muffler without by-pass valves · FIA-approved ATL bag type fuel tank with twin fuel pumps – 100 litre (22 gallon) capacity · Standard six-speed manual transmission or Sportshift (ASM) transmission – fitted with breather catch tank Valeo twin-plate cerametallic clutch (215 mm) with lightweight flywheel
Chassis
· FIA approved full rollcage in 40 mm x 1.5 mm 15CDV6 high-strength steel · Preparation for pneumatic jacks incorporating tapping plates · Motorsport towing eyes · Polycarbonate side and rear windows · Re-styled side sill with exposed carbon fibre rib · Quick-release bonnet/tail safety latching with hinges retained · Lightweight aluminium side strakes
Suspension
· Single-rate, flat ground, 2.5 in ID Eibach springs with separate helper springs · Stiffened front and rear anti-roll bars · Bilstein suspension, adjustable ride height, aluminium dampers · Front subframe modified for extra camber and castor
Wheels & Tyres
· Front - 10 in x 18 in cast magnesium · Rear - 11 in x 18 in cast magnesium
Braking System
· Standard radial-mounted four-piston monoblock calipers fitted with high-performance Pagid RS 29 race pads · Updated two-piece front brake discs · Front cooling ducts to enhance brake cooling
Electrical
· Reduced weight and optimised route wiring harness · Optima gel lightweight battery · Battery cut-off relay · New switch panel mounted in centre console incorporating re-settable circuit breakers for each fuel pump, extinguisher button, battery cut-off button, heater controls, mirror switch and toggle switches for fog lights, hazard lights, traction control and heated front screen · Panel graphics illuminated by electroluminescent film
Interior
· Recaro competition shell seat embroidered with Aston Martin logo · Sabelt six-point safety harness – push-button release · FIA compliant Lifeline Zero 360 plumbed-in extinguisher system (gas) – four engine bay and two interior nozzles · Raised driver ’s footrest · New simple door casings moulded in ‘Twintex’ for weight saving and compatibility with rollcage · Weight-reduced facia, trimmed in Alcantara · Shortened one-piece carbon fibre centre console · Quick-release, suede-trimmed steering wheel
Options
· Two-way adjustable dampers · Passenger seat and safety harness · Dry break fuel filler · Dual fuel filler · HANS seat and safety harness · Air jacks including lance · Pair of GT4 xenon spot lights · Endurance fuel tank - 120 litre capacity · Pi Clubman display & datalogger · Shift light (only available with Pi Clubman) · Rear rain light · Air conditioning
Dimensions
· Length 172.5 in (4,380 mm) · Width 73.5 in (1,865 mm) (excluding mirrors) · 80 in (2,025 mm) (including mirrors) · Height 47.5 in (1,210 mm) · Wheelbase 102.5 in (2,600 mm) · Front track 62.2 in (1,580 mm) · Rear track 62.6 in (1,590 mm) · Kerb weight 1,350 kg (excluding fuel) · Fuel tank size 100 litre
2011 Aston Martin released the special-edition sportscar back in 2007 to commemorate the success of its Vantage N24 racer at the Nürburgring. It packed 400 horsepower, a series of suspension tweaks and some special cosmetic touches.
The 2011 N420’s sportscar powertrain is the standard Vantage affair, coming with the standard 420 horsepower V-8 engine. Successor to the special edition V8 Vantage N400 of 2007, the 2011 Aston Martin sportscar V8 Vantage N420 is based upon the standard 4.7-litre, 420bhp, 180mph V8 Vantage and is available as a Coupe or Roadster, and with a six-speed manual or optional Sportshift automated manual transmission.
The 2011 Vantage N420 sportscar draws inspiration from the company's experiences at the Nürburgring 24-hour race. In the 2006 running of the annual Nürburgring endurance classic amongst a field of mostly motorsport homologated cars, Aston Martin entered a near-standard, road-registered V8 Vantage.
2011 Aston Martin sportscar used carbon fiber on various parts of the car to help drop the weight by 60 pounds, which while not a lot is still a step in the right direction. The suspension gets the Sports Package that upgrades the Vantage’s springs, shocks and anti-roll bars to give the car better road holding.
The 2011 N420 also features special 10-spoke alloy wheels finished in gloss black, black mesh grille inserts, a sport exhaust system, the Sports Pack suspension (which is merely optional on the regular Vantage) and a range of racing-inspired paint combinations. The N420 sportscar will be available as a coupe or a roadster with the choice of a manual or paddle-shift transmission.
The 2011 N420 sportscar will make its U.S. debut at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in August. Orders may be placed starting this month, with deliveries to begin in the fourth quarter of 2010. Pricing starts at $133,350 for the coupe and $146,350 for the Roadster, less than $10K more than their non-N420 counterparts.
VIDEO: Aston Martin One-77 Walkaround and Interview with Dr. Ulrich Bez
We can't seem to get enough of Aston Martin's One-77 elite supercarthat was introduced in its final prototype form at the Villa d'Este car show in Italy last April. Luckily for us, there's always fresh news about the ultimate British sportscar. In this latest video, Autocar's Steve Sutcliffe interviews Aston Martin's boss Dr. Ulrich Bez who not only walks us around the car but he also treats us to some highly addictive sounds by firing up the One-77's 750HP V12 engine. Hit the jump to watch the video.
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.
Aston Martin confirmed that the Cygnet luxury city car – originally shown as a concept car in March – is to go into production in 2011 at the company’s Gaydon headquarters in Warwickshire. It is derived from the Toyota IQ and its purpose is to allow Aston Martin to comply with the strict emissions rule by the European Union in place in 2012.It is time to think differently. Aston Martin is honest and we don’t make compromises” says Aston Martin CEO Dr Ulrich Bez.
present a very different luxury brand landscape, as social change and legislation increases the division between urban and anti-urban product categories. With the Cygnet, Aston Martin will be at the forefront of these changes, ensuring the company’s enduring brand image will continue to prosper in new market conditions.
Aston Martin hot car
Aston Martin back side view
Aston Martin wall paper
“Cygnet is small but luxurious, an Aston Martin tailor fit for the city,” says Marek Reichman, Aston Martin’s Director of Design. With an almost unlimited palette of materials, colors and textures, each hand-finished Cygnet will be truly unique, a personalized space within the city. “Luxury is not constrained by scale.”
