Aston Martin Vanquish on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Electric Aston Martin Rapide could be on the way

Aston Martin is looking into building an electric version of the Rapide to launch in the next two or three years. Andy Palmer, the company's new chief executive, said so to the Wall Street Journal at the New York Auto Show this week. A spokesman confirmed the plans to Autoblog. The project would bring in an as-yet undisclosed partner that could come from Silicon Valley, and while we don't know at this point just which company that would be, Palmer said it's not Tesla. Having formerly held senior positions at the Renault Nissan Alliance, Palmer has a wealth of experience with EVs that he brings with him to the British automaker that was recently infused with cash. This wouldn't be the first time that Aston would be experimenting with the prospect of electric propulsion. It showcased the DBX electric crossover coupe concept at the Geneva Motor Show, and even fielded a hybrid hydrogen-powered version of the Rapide in a 24-hour endurance race at the Nurburgring a couple of years ago. The Rapide is Aston's four-door model, based closely on the DB9. It was launched in 2010 after a concept version from 2006. After initially being produced under contract by Magna Steyr in Austria, Aston moved assembly back home in 2012. A revised Rapide S ensued the following year, upping output from its 6.0-liter V12 engine from 470 horsepower to 550 and swapping the six-speed automatic for an eight-speed. According to the WSJ, Palmer also confirmed a new crossover and large luxury sedan in the pipeline, the latter to compete with Rolls-Royce and both of which we expect will wear the Lagonda badge revived by the new Taraf launched in Dubai.

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:

Aston Martin recalls 7,000+ vehicles over seat heaters

We've seen vehicles being recalled for all sorts of reasons: ignitions switching off, airbags inflating prematurely, brake lines leaking fluid... but this latest one from Aston Martin is for the seat heater. So what, rich folks won't be able to drive their Volantes with the roof down when it gets cold, you say? Tragic though that would surely be, we're afraid this problem lies at the opposite end of the spectrum: seat heaters that won't turn off. The danger that poses, according to the statement below from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, is that the seats could start to smolder. And that doesn't sound like fun. The issue affects just about the entire Aston range, including the DB9, DBS, Virage, V8 Vantage and V12 Vantage, covering the 2006-2014 model years and manufactured between July 3, 2006 and November 5, 2014. That's pretty much everything Aston makes, save for the four-door Rapide, the newer Vanquish, the rare One-77 and the overseas-only Cygnet. So you'd figure that would add up to a lot of vehicles, and we suppose it does, considering the niche market in which Aston competes. All told, the recall affects an estimated 7,256 units across the United States, the owners of which will need to bring their luxury GTs into their local dealer to have an additional circuit module installed that will cut the power to the seat heaters in case the control module fails. Featured Gallery 2013 Aston Martin DB9: Review View 28 Photos News Source: National Highway Traffic Safety AdministrationImage Credit: Copyright 2014 Drew Phillips / AOL Recalls Aston Martin Convertible Coupe Luxury Performance aston martin v8 vantage aston martin db9 aston martin v12 vantage seat heaters