2005 Aston Martin Vanquish S on 2040-cars

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Kahn tackles Aston Martin with a Vengeance

Though Aston Martin has been known to produce some pretty stunning designs all on its own, it's also no stranger to the efforts of independent coachbuilders. It's had a longstanding relationship with Zagato that has given birth to some of the most stunning automotive collaborations ever to roam the open road, but now it's time for another designer to step up to the plate with the creation previewed here. It's called the Vengeance and it's the latest project from Kahn Design – a British firm perhaps better known for its (often wildly) customized Land Rovers, but with a history of enhancing Astons as well. Adopting a name that fits into traditional Aston nomenclature along nameplates like Vantage, Vanquish and Virage, the Vengeance is being built atop a DB9, but with highly modified coachwork. As you can see from the preview renderings in the slideshow above, the design calls for features a a bulging hood, slotted grille, wide rear fenders, polished steel roof and window frames, and staggered alloys – 20 inches up front, 21 in the back – inspired by roulette wheels with diamond-cut rims and body-colored centers. "The Vengeance underlines Kahn Design's expertise in design and coachbuilding," said Azfal Kahn in the statement below. "With a team of over 25 designers in house we're involved in all aspects of product design from automotive to timepieces, interiors, retail space, clothing and accessories." Only a limited quantity of individually numbered examples will be hand-made in the British Midlands, with pricing and availability yet to be announced but promising what Kahn says will "represent extremely good value for a limited edition coachbuilt car." Kahn Design launches coach built 2 door retro classic coupe named the 'Vengeance' Origins The practice of automotive coachbuilding stretches back to the early 1900s, when discerning customers would employ the services of expert craftsmen to create a custom vehicle body on a pre-manufactured chassis. Following in this tradition, renowned British designer Afzal Kahn has announced the launch of a new coachbuilt car codenamed the Vengeance. Built on a new Aston Martin DB9 chassis, the Vengeance is a wide body two door coupe, with a muscular, aggressive design evoking the silhouette of a sabretooth on the prowl. Design A supercar owner and connoisseur since his late teens, Kahn has always sought to push the boundaries of car design, developing a distinctive, aggressive design language.

Aston Martin On Ice reminds us how fun winter can be

Things are finally starting to thaw near the Autoblog headquarters in Detroit, with spring just around the corner. We're already celebrating some slightly warmer temperatures, and looking ahead to sunny days and top-down drives. But winter isn't all bad – especially for car enthusiasts. Yes, with the right formula of fresh powder and winter tires, the cold season can prove hilariously fun for folks who love to drive. In that spirit, Aston Martin hosted its second-annual (in the US, anyway) 'On Ice' program in Colorado, where owners were given the opportunity to slide around in the British automaker's wares, hanging the tails out and generally (we assume) having a blast. Rather than bore you with more details, we'll let you see all the fun that was had, in the gallery above. It almost makes us wish winter would stick around a little longer. Almost. For more information about the Aston Martin On Ice program, check out the (old) press blast below. Related Video: Aston Martin are to host their second annual ice driving program in Colorado in February, offering thrill seekers a unique driving experience in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. Taking place among the dramatic Crested Butte mountain range, the 'On Ice' program gives Aston Martin enthusiasts the chance to hone their driving skills in a spectacular setting over three days. The iconic British car makers have custom built an ice track for the program, comprising a braking/cornering exercise loop, slalom, skid pad and full circuit. Under expert tuition, participants are guided through the facility, before embarking upon a series of braking, cornering and handling exercises and then putting their skills to the test on a mile-long frozen road course. Luxurious accommodations will be provided for all three days at the exclusive boutique hotel properties of the Eleven Group that are nestled in the mountains. Julian Jenkins, President of Aston Martin The Americas, said: "After this hugely successful first year we expect the On Ice program to become a mainstay of our customer experience offerings here in North America. "The ability to experience a range of our cars in a unique and controlled environment resonates with Aston Martin customers and enthusiasts who are united by a shared passion for driving." As well as the 'On Ice' driving program, guests will also have the chance to indulge in other activities including skiing and exploring the back country on a fleet of snow mobiles.

Tesla, European automaker may share Supercharger network [w/video]

Tesla Model S owners have had the now-500-plus Supercharger locations all to themselves since the free, high-speed charging network first opened up three years ago. The day may be coming when they'll have to start sharing, however. According to CEO Elon Musk, the company is "in talks with some manufacturers" about opening up its infrastructure to other autos. The mission statement of Tesla Motors is to "accelerate the advent of sustainable transport," and it can be argued that the success of its Model S is doing this, at least to some extent, by inspiring other automakers to build long-range electric vehicles themselves. Witness the Porsche Mission E concept and Audi E-Tron Quattro Concept as two recently unveiled examples. Sharing the Supercharger system is another way to speed things up. When EV owners of other marques want to take a trip, they may find themselves facing a hodge-podge of charging networks, each with slightly different standards, availability, and fees. Supercharging for free at well-mapped and easily accessible locations can only make things easier, and Musk has long said he would like other companies to make use of the network. With some manufacturers declaring allegiance to the CHAdeMO and others, the SAE Combo system, it seemed like Tesla might not get any takers, but finally it may be getting traction. Musk mentioned the development on at least two different occasions recently at speaking engagements in Berlin: once in a morning discussion, and later during a larger meeting with the German Minister of Economy & Energy, Sigmar Gabriel. While in the first instance, Musk used the plural "manufacturers," indicating there may be discussions with more than one firm, the second mention might be more relevant to the near term. In that case, while answering a question about sharing the Superchargers, he stated that "the CEO of one European car company, not a German car company, has approached us recently about doing exactly that, and we're super supportive of anyone who wants to do that." The question now becomes, "who will be the first to use the Tesla high-speed network?" With the specific mention of a European company, and the exclusion of German ones, our best guess is Aston Martin. Its CEO Andy Palmer is quite bullish on electric vehicles and the iconic British brand already has a test mule for an 800-hp electric Rapide on the road, not to mention its fabulous DBX under development.