2007 Aston Martin Db9 Volante on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato expected to fetch over $16M

Classic car collectors will want to head to New York on December 10. That's where RM Sotheby's will be holding its Driven by Disruption sale, with some of the most desirable pieces of automotive history on the docket. And arguably the most tempting of them is the 1962 Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato pictured here. The start of a long and distinguished partnership between Aston Martin and Zagato, the DB4 GT is considered by many (ourselves included) to be one of the most beautiful automobiles ever made. You can judge for yourself after looking over the images in the gallery above. Only 19 were originally made, of which this, the 14th example, was the only one delivered new to Australia. After undergoing a complete restoration in 2002, chassis number DB4GT/0186/R won first-in-class awards at both Pebble Beach and Villa d'Este. RM hasn't published pre-sale estimates for how much it expects to get for this one, but in correspondence with Autoblog, a spokesperson for the auction house revealed that "it is expected to fetch in excess of $16 million USD when it crosses the podium in December." That would eclipse by order of magnitude the prices fetched at auction for previous examples in recent years, which (according to the records at Sports Car Market) have traded hands for around $2.5 million. Of course, the Aston isn't the only classic automobile consigned for the event. With two months still to go before the auction takes place, RM has confirmed a 1955 Siata 208S Spider that's expected to fetch upwards of $1.5 million, a '53 Ferrari 250 Europa (~$4 million), and a '38 Bugatti Type 57C Atalante (>$2 million). Fans of more modern and rare equipment, however, may be more enticed by the Lamborghini Concept S previously announced for the auction, expected to go for as much as $3 million.

Aston Martin's project 003 could have a name: Valhalla

When Aston Martin unveiled the Valkyrie at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show, the carmaker's chief designer told Drive, "We have a bunch more V names that we've thought of and haven't used." Earlier this year, AutoGuide discovered a trademark application for the name Varekai, which Aston Martin will use for its crossover. Now the same site has found another trademark application at the with World Intellectual Property organization, this time for Valhalla, which it expects to be applied to the "Son of Valkyrie," formerly known as 003. The automaker made the filing on October 12, 2018. If you're unclear on all the connections, the Valkyrie was codenamed AM-RB 001, denoting the first collaboration between Aston Martin and the Red Bull Racing Formula 1 team. The Valkyrie AMR Pro was AM-RB 002. That makes the Valhalla, nee 003, next in the chute. The naming inverts Norse myth, since the legends say Valkyries escorted fallen warriors to the Hall of the Slain in Valhalla. In Aston Martin's working, you need to go through Valhalla to get to the ferocious women with the swords. Although not thought to be co-developed with Red Bull Racing, the Valhalla will retain lightweight, carbon-fiber-intensive construction and active aerodynamics like its larger siblings, as well as an active suspension. As a road-legal and more practical step below the Valkyries, the Valhalla includes "space for luggage," and a quieter cabin. Instead of a naturally-aspirated V12, the third member of the family goes with a turbocharged V6 with hybrid help. Anticipated to be a full-on hypercar, the competitive set is thought to include the McLaren Speedtail and whatever succeeds the Ferrari LaFerrari. Aston Martin will make 500 Valhallas, deliveries commencing in late 2021. Before then, don't be surprised to see the Vanquish name return on the company's Ferrari 488 and McLaren 720S challenger. Related Video:

Aston Martin's next DB gets its bodywork on

Aston Martin is said to be working on a full revamp of its entire lineup, which is all well and fine, but what we want is proof. And here it is. Spotted testing on and around the Nurburgring is a prototype for Aston's next DB grand touring coupe. The successor to the DB9 is expected to make use of a completely new platform and eventually get a new engine stemming from the British automaker's partnership with Mercedes-AMG, but is likely to employ Aston's own 6.0-liter V12 as well. We've seen spy shots of test mules running before in various states of completion, but this is the first time we're seeing it in what appears to be its production bodywork, albeit still heavily camouflaged to keep it hidden from prying eyes. Expect the final version to draw its stylistic inspiration from the DB10 that James Bond will be driving in the upcoming film Spectre (and maybe just a few from flagship supercars like the One-77 and Vulcan, too). Whether Aston ultimately decides to call this one the DB10 as well, move on to the DB11, or stick with the DB9 remains to be seen, but so far it's looking pretty good.