2013 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster on 2040-cars

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Aston Martin Vantage GT3 gets it done the old fashioned way [w/video]

Aston Martin may be looking towards the future with new product unveiled here at the Geneva Motor Show like the Vulcan track car and DBX electric crossover concept. But it's not about to leave its existing lineup behind. That's where the model you see here comes in. What you're looking at is the new Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Special Edition. As you might have guessed, it's based on the Vantage that first arrived a decade ago, but has come a long way by now: where the original packed a 4.3-liter V8 with just 380 horsepower, the GT3 goes with Aston's long-serving 6.0-liter V12 tuned to 592 horsepower. That's more powerful than anything this side of the One-77. Of course Aston didn't just toy with the engine and then head to the pub. It also replaced many of the body panels with carbon fiber and junked anything extraneous to cut the curb weight by 220 pounds (compared to the V12 Vantage S), fitted it with a more aggressive aero package and mounted semi-slick tires on a wider track. Only 100 examples will be offered, so if you're not on the list, the closest you're likely to get is in the slideshow of live images from the floor of the Geneva Palexpo. Featured Gallery Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Special Edition: Geneva 2015 View 10 Photos Related Gallery Aston Martin Vantage GT3 View 22 Photos Image Credit: Live photos copyright 2015 Drew Phillips / AOL Geneva Motor Show Aston Martin Coupe Performance Videos 2015 Geneva Motor Show aston martin v12 vantage aston martin vantage gt3

Aston Martin and Mercedes-AMG formalize technical partnership

The development of a partnership between Mercedes-Benz and Aston Martin has been a long time coming. The news dates back to 2008, and over the five years since was supposed to lead to a rejuvenation of both the Maybach and Lagonda brands. That program ultimately fell apart, but the tie-in was forged afresh in July when the two automakers signed a letter of intent over a renewed partnership. And now that partnership has been formalized.
In a deal just announced, Mercedes-AMG will build a new V8 engine for Aston Martin that will power a new generation of luxury GTs for the British marque, presumably to replace the 4.7-liter V8 in the Vantage. The relationship appears to be similar to the one already in place between AMG and Pagani, only in this case, will involve Daimler taking as much as a five-percent stake in Aston Martin and an observer seat on Aston's board.
The technical partnership is also set to lead to the supply of electric and electronic systems, and could incorporate "additional areas of cooperation in the future." Whether that will include a fresh attempt at reviving Lagonda remains to be seen, as does the future of Aston's long-serving, Ford-based 6.0-liter V12 engine. But for now you can read the full announcement below.

Aston Martin confirms new platform under development

It's been thirteen years since Aston Martin introduced the original V12 Vanquish. The model was effectively been replaced twice over by the time it reached its Bar Mitzvah, but its underlying platform is still around. And not just around, either: it underpins everything Aston makes and has made ever since it came on the scene, save for the Cygnet and the One-77 supercar. That includes the V8 and V12 Vantage, the short-lived Virage, the new Vanquish, the DB9, DBS, V12 Zagato and even the four-door Rapide. But while it may seem like forever that Aston's been using the VH platform, it won't be around forever more. In announcing its positive financial results for 2013, Aston Martin CFO Hanno Kirner confirmed: "We are engineering a completely new architecture and technologies to ensure that our next generation of sports cars is at the forefront of design, performance and technology." The new platform is expected to underpin the next generation of Astons Martin, and will be powered by a new V8 engine being developed by Mercedes-AMG, similar to the arrangement that sees V12s furnished to Pagani for the Huayra. Whether an AMG-developed V12 is also in the cards for Aston Martin remains to be seen – the company ran on V8 power alone from the mid 70s (when its six-cylinder engine was retired) until the Ford-developed DB7 brought six- and then twelve-cylinder power. That aging but glorious 6.0-liter engine, by the way, still powers the vast majority of the company's lineup. The platform and associated technologies are being funded by the influx of capital from shareholders Investindustrial, Primewagon and Adeem Investment and by a 13-percent increase in revenue due to the launch of the new Vanquish Volante and V12 Vantage S, as well as the company's expansion into new markets like Mexico and Thailand. It wasn't long ago that upon spending a week with the company's Vanquish coupe that we fell just short of love, wondering aloud how long Aston could weather its uncertain financial picture while still relying heavily on elderly technology and drivetrains cradled in elderly platforms. We now appear to have our answer, and we like what we're hearing. Aston Martin Holdings (UK) Limited Full Year Results 2013 28 April 2014, Gaydon: Aston Martin Holdings (UK) Limited is today announcing full year results for the 12 months ended 31 December 2013.