2023 Aston Martin Vantage on 2040-cars

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Aston Martin Vengeance embodies the wrath of Kahn

Kahn Design, for those unfamiliar, is a British customizer that's known primarily for modifying Land Rovers. And it brought a few of those with it to the Geneva Motor Show this year as well, particularly a rebodied DB9 called the Vengeance. The lines follow a familiar form that still speaks of its underpinnings, but the details have all been worked over: the grille is bigger, the front fenders are wider, the hood has a bulge in it, the C-pillars and rear haunches are wider, the horizontal taillights have been replaced by more retro round units, and the wheels take their inspiration from a roulette table. The result is described as "the conclusion of British designer Afzal Kahn's lifelong pursuit to design the car he has always wanted to drive," and comes with Aston Martin's blessing – or at least its acquiescence: "There is a long and rich history of specialist coach-built Aston Martins," said the company's purchasing director Gary Archer, "and we wish Kahn every success with the Vengeance." The cost of converting a DB9 to Vengeance spec has yet to be announced, but according to the statement below, it " is expected to represent extremely good value for a limited edition coach built car." Related Video: THE KAHN VENGEANCE MAKES ITS INTERNATIONAL DEBUT AT THE GENEVA MOTOR SHOW 2016 The 2016 Geneva Motor Show will see the long awaited launch of the Kahn Vengeance, a new coach built two-door coupe which represents a stunning synthesis of modern engineering and classic streamlined design. The Vengeance will be unveiled to the media at the Kahn Design stand, 6338, on March 1st 2016. Inspired by the Aston Martin designs of the 1980s and 90s, the Vengeance is the conclusion of British designer Afzal Kahn's lifelong pursuit to design the car he has always wanted to drive. Designed to hark back to the glory days of British coach building, the hand built Vengeance is a coachbuilt two door coupe based on a new Aston Martin DB9 chassis. Face on, the redesigned front bumper and wide spaced grille give the Vengeance an aggressive look, framed by widened front wings which merge seamlessly into the doors. The signature central bulge of the bonnet continues to the highly defined lines of the roof, which flow outwards to the widened C-pillars and rear wings, lending a muscular definition to the car's surfaces.

Aston Martin reveals hardcore Vantage GT3 special edition

If there are two things of which we've seen a lot in recent years, they're versions of the Aston Martin Vantage, and road-going sports cars wearing the name GT3. And you know what? We're not tired of either just yet. So we're pleased to report that the two have come together with the release of the new Aston Martin Vantage GT3. The ultimate evolution of Gaydon's nimble little sports car, the Vantage GT3 is lighter and more extreme than any version to date. Envisioned as a street-legal mid-point between Aston's successful racing cars and its coveted luxury GTs, the Vantage GT3 packs a number of key upgrades to make it lighter, more powerful and more hard-core than its stablemates. For starters, the company's ubiquitous 6.0-liter V12 has been upgraded with a new intake manifold and torque tube made from magnesium and a full titanium center-exit exhaust system. Although final figures are yet to be announced, Aston Martin figures it'll crank out around 600 metric horsepower – 592 by our standards, more than any iteration of the engine to date (including the flagship Vanquish) or any road-going Aston this side of the One-77. The other side of the power-to-weight ratio is optimized through the extensive use of carbon fiber. Aston has replaced the front fenders, hood and doors with the lightweight weave, as well as the center stack and Alcantara-trimmed racing buckets. Customers can even opt for a carbon-fiber roof and the rear glass to be replaced by plexi. The result is a projected curb weight of around 3,450 pounds, or a good 220 pounds lighter than the V12 Vantage S. A more extreme aero kit (also made of carbon, naturally) includes a splitter jutting out from under the nose and a big rear wing, and Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires sit at the edges of a wider track. Only 100 examples of the Vantage GT3 will be offered after its debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month, with deliveries slated to begin later this year as Aston prepares its next generation of Mercedes-powered sports cars. INSPIRED BY RACING: THE ASTON MARTIN VANTAGE GT3 SPECIAL EDITION - Lightweight and extreme Vantage special edition limited to 100 cars - Motorsport-derived chassis, aerodynamics and handling - Bridges the gap between road and race track driving 18 February 2015, Gaydon: Aston Martin is today revealing the first details of its most potent and uncompromising Vantage to date: the track-inspired Vantage GT3 special edition.

Aston Martin Vulcan meets Avro Vulcan [w/video]

The Vulcan represents the very best that Aston Martin can do: a monstrous track car boiled down to its essence. But it's not the only Vulcan ever to roar out of the UK. Aviation enthusiasts will fondly recall the Avro Vulcan, an iconic jet bomber from the 1950s. There's only one such aircraft still capable of soaring through the skies, and now it's been brought together with its earthbound namesake. The Aston Martin Vulcan we already know, though not as well as we might like to. It's a track-bound supercar along the lines of the Ferrari FXX K or McLaren P1 GTR. But instead of a hybrid powertrain mounted amidships, it's got a naturally aspirated 7.0-liter V12 up front and kicking out over 800 horsepower. Unfortunately only 24 of them will be made, so even if you venture down to your local circuit for a track day, you're still not very likely to see one up close. Even rarer, though, is the Avro Vulcan. Part of the Royal Air Force armory from 1956 to 1984, the Vulcan was a giant delta-wing bomber that measured around 100 feet long (depending on the version) with a wingspan just as wide. Of the 136 that were made, only one – Vulcan XH558 – remains in operation, courtesy not of any national military but of the Vulcan To The Sky charitable trust. But it's about to be put to pasture as the centerpiece of the Vulcan Aviation Academy & Heritage Centre at Robin Hood Airport (seriously) near Doncaster in South Yorkshire, England. Before Vulcan XH558 is retired, though, it's set to make one final flight. And in preparation for that historic event, it made a pass by Elvington Airfield for a brief – if distant – encounter with its namesake. The feat was pulled off purely for the photo op, so whether you're more into the car or the plane, you might as well check out the results in the gallery above and the brief video clip below. ASTON MARTIN VULCAN IN TRIBUTE TO ITS V BOMBER NAMESAKE 02 October 2015, Gaydon: As the last remaining airworthy Avro Vulcan prepares for its final flight later this month, the iconic 1950s British V bomber has been united with its modern namesake: the Aston Martin Vulcan. Vulcan XH558 – currently being operated by the charitable trust Vulcan To The Sky – is due to retire from 'active service' in October, going on to form the centrepiece of the educational Vulcan Aviation Academy & Heritage Centre at her home base, Robin Hood Airport near Doncaster.