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2019 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Volante breaks cover

With less than a month to go before the official unveiling, it appears that the 2019 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera has been spied in Volante convertible form. The car is very clearly related to the DB11 GT sports car currently available, but with a number of updates. It should also be lighter (hence the Superleggera name) and more powerful. The most notable exterior change is in the front fascia, particularly the main grille. The traditional Aston grille shape has been stretched downward in the style of the Rapide and the Vantage AMR Pro. It also ditches the classic slats for an aggressive black mesh. Flanking the grille are two large air inlets that surely provide more cooling to the engine. Their positioning would be ideal for brake cooling, too. On the hood, the new DBS Superleggera gets two large vents right in the middle. Based on a teaser image, there will be Superleggera badging in a classical script next to the vents. The hood also has a bit of a raised dome down the middle. Moving around to the side, the car is basically unchanged save for deeper side skirts. The rear also lacks much in the way of changes. It has sprouted an additional pair of exhaust tips. Interestingly, each side has a small tip and a large one. We're not sure if this is a stop-gap measure for the prototype, or if the different-sized tips will be a production feature. When the car is revealed in June, it will come with a version of the twin-turbocharged 5.2-liter V12 found in the DB11. It will almost certainly have more power than existing DB11 models, meaning it will have more than the 630 horsepower of the DB11 AMR. Rumors have even indicated as much as 700 horsepower. With the Superleggera name, it will likely be lighter than existing DB11s, too. And of course, expect a price above other DB11s. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2019 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera spy shots View 24 Photos Image Credit: SpiedBilde Spy Photos Aston Martin Convertible Luxury Performance Supercars aston martin db11 aston martin dbs superleggera

Aston Martin Vulcan being converted to road-going spec

The Aston Martin Vulcan wasn't designed as a road-going vehicle, but the two dozen buyers who've plonked down the $2.3 million to buy one may soon be able to drive on public roadways. According to Autocar, British motorsports engineering company RML is preparing a road conversion option for the Vulcan, apparently with Aston's blessing. The process will reportedly involve testing the engine for emissions, mounting some new lights, and running simulated crash tests. The ride height will likely need to be raised and the gear ratios altered, but nothing will be done to compromise the vehicle's trackability (such as removing any part of the roll cage). The undertaking is expected to cost six figures, which buy another road-going Aston but is hardly a drop in the bucket relative to the Vulcan's purchase price. Certification on a single vehicle type basis might not be feasible in all markets, particularly here in the United States, where two out of the 24 being made are said to reside. "When we went to market, there was hesitation from a few prospective owners because it didn't have a road pack... but RML said they had the ability to do it," Aston Martin chief Andy Palmer told Autocar. "It has taken a bit of time to work out what's possible from an engineering perspective, but we expect four or five owners will take advantage of this. We have the sales of the last two cars currently under negotiation and it looks like the road conversion could be the closer on those deals." The Vulcan is Aston's take on the likes of the Ferrari FXX K and McLaren P1 GTR: a seven-figure supercar designed neither for the road nor for racing, but just for their owners' enjoyment. Like its rivals, Aston Martin organizes special track days for Vulcan owners as part of a complete program, but unlike those mid-engined hybrids, the Vulcan is naturally aspirated, with its engine up front. Lanzante previously announced a similar road conversion option for the McLaren. RML's expertise lies principally in constructing racing cars – particularly touring cars. It previously collaborated with Aston Martin on the AMR1 Group C racer from 1989 (not to be confused with the later LMP1 prototype). It has also undertaken a number of road-car projects, particularly for Nissan (where Palmer used to work), developing such unique concepts as the Micra R, Juke-R and Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge. Related Video:

Even Aston Martin and Rolls-Royce have designed flying taxis

Think British-built taxi cabs and you're likely to think of the classic, black London taxis. However, there are British companies eager to take taxis to the skies — bearing vaunted nameplates. Aston Martin has created the Volante Vision Concept, which isn't a sports car, but a luxury VTOL aircraft. It is the product of a joint venture with Cranfield University, Cranfield Aerospace Solutions and Rolls-Royce, and Aston says it's a "near-future study" that previews a flying autonomous hybrid-electric vehicle. It's meant for both urban and inter-city travel. The hybrid powertrain would come courtesy of Rolls-Royce Electrical, which has already provided such systems for marine and train use. The Volante Vision Concept's design language has been overseen by Marek Reichman, who stated the following: "We are at the beginning of a new generation of urban transportation; vertical mobility is no longer a fantasy. We have a unique chance to create a luxury concept aircraft that will represent the ultimate fusion of art and technology. We have used forms and proportions that express the same devotion to design, engineering and beauty that shape our cars." The leather interior bears familiar, winged Aston Martin badging — though this time the wings are especially appropriate. Beyond working with Aston Martin, Rolls-Royce plc has also designed a flying taxi of its own. Similarly VTOL, Rolls-Royce's hybrid-electric taxi has rotating wings and uses a gas turbine engine paired to hybrid tech; it is designed to carry four or five passengers and offers a 500-mile range with a top speed of 250 mph. And Rolls, of course, as a major supplier of aircraft engines, knows a thing or two about flying. Rolls says that if there is a business case for the flying taxi, it could see production in the early-to-mid-2020s. The Rolls-Royce concept was presented Monday at the Farnborough Air Show. Related Video: Featured Gallery Aston Martin / Rolls-Royce Flying Taxis Image Credit: Aston Martin, Rolls-Royce plc Design/Style Aston Martin Rolls-Royce Technology Emerging Technologies Autonomous Vehicles Commercial Vehicles Future Vehicles Luxury Special and Limited Editions air taxi