2006 Aston Martin Db9 Volante on 2040-cars

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Aston Martin 'likes the idea of Adrian Newey doing a road car'

The whispers, suggestion, and innuendo touting a supercar project that involves some combination of Adrian Newey, Red Bull, and Aston Martin will not cease. Auto Express got comment from Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer regarding the gossip, Palmer saying, "There is rarely smoke without fire." He added that while he is on board with the idea of Newey penning something for the English carmaker, the Warwick firm is not the source of the rumors tying the two. But of course, what else would he say to the question of having perhaps the finest Formula One aerodynamicist of this generation design a coupe to wear the wings? The admission is a bit like Palmer saying he likes the idea of someone giving Aston Martin a billion dollars. He classified the situation as saying "there is no authentic program" with Newey, which sounds like official language for 'we've talked about it but there's no paper trail yet.' The project to build "an ultimate sports car" is under consideration, with designs in the works. A decision on whether to go further might come before the year is out. Or it might not. In the meantime, while we wait for the first, we'll have to do our best with the smoke and the DP-100 virtual race car that Aston Martin created for Gran Turismo 6. Related Video:

2019 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera spied at Nurburgring in coupe form

We got one of our best looks at the upcoming 2019 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera when a convertible Volante version was spied testing. This time, we get a preview of the coupe version out at the Nurburgring. For the most part, it looks like that convertible, but with the DB11's hard top and floating roof design. There are some other detail changes, though. The next most obvious difference is the set of wheels on this coupe. The simple, thin, split five-spoke wheels of the Volante have been traded for more aggressive, more overtly styled wheels. They're still split five-spokes, but more angular and directional. In between the wheels, we see that the rocker panels have been redesigned. There are large openings behind the front wheels, and wide sills extend backward from those openings, eventually merging with the rear fenders. At the back are yet more differences from the convertible. There's a much bigger diffuser at the rear bumper. The exhaust tips are now all the same size, instead of the small outboard ones on the Volante. The taillights are more covered up, too, and what we can see appears to be different and more simple than those on the convertible and normal DB11. Finally, we get our first look at the inside of this new Aston. And it really does just look like the interior from the DB11. But if the exterior changes we've seen are any indication, there's a good chance that the interior could still see some updates. We won't have to wait long to see the final product. Aston Martin announced that it would reveal the DBS Superleggera this month. It will be the company's new flagship sports car, and could have as much as 700 horsepower. Related Video:

Aston Martin's next DB gets its bodywork on

Aston Martin is said to be working on a full revamp of its entire lineup, which is all well and fine, but what we want is proof. And here it is. Spotted testing on and around the Nurburgring is a prototype for Aston's next DB grand touring coupe. The successor to the DB9 is expected to make use of a completely new platform and eventually get a new engine stemming from the British automaker's partnership with Mercedes-AMG, but is likely to employ Aston's own 6.0-liter V12 as well. We've seen spy shots of test mules running before in various states of completion, but this is the first time we're seeing it in what appears to be its production bodywork, albeit still heavily camouflaged to keep it hidden from prying eyes. Expect the final version to draw its stylistic inspiration from the DB10 that James Bond will be driving in the upcoming film Spectre (and maybe just a few from flagship supercars like the One-77 and Vulcan, too). Whether Aston ultimately decides to call this one the DB10 as well, move on to the DB11, or stick with the DB9 remains to be seen, but so far it's looking pretty good.