2007 Aston Martin Vantage V8 on 2040-cars

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Aston Martin considering three new model lines

With a new captain at the helm and flush with development cash, Aston Martin is undertaking an ambitious revitalization. The company provided some new details on that plan at the Shanghai Motor Show this week. Called the Second Century plan, the steps outlined by the company's new chief executive Andy Palmer include replacing every model in Aston's lineup by the end of this decade – now less than five years away. That's a pretty aggressive plan, but one that critics would say is sorely needed for a company with a model line as antiquated as Gaydon's. But that's not the end of the story. In addition to replacing its current models, Aston's revitalization plan also calls for adding "up to three new model lines" to its range. Now we already knew that the British automaker is working on bringing the DBX crossover concept to production, as well as a Lagonda sedan more widely available than the strictly limited Taraf. But just what that third model line would be, we don't know at this point. We could be looking at a new sports car, an additional Lagonda model (perhaps a larger crossover) or something else entirely. One thing's for sure, though: Aston isn't about to reskin one of its current models and call it a day as it has been (to considerable effect, mind you) for much of its recent history. It has a new platform under development, a new deal with Mercedes to provide engines and other technologies, and an influx of R&D funds provided principally by its new stakeholder Investindustrial. All of that adds up to a breath of fresh air being blown into the century-old automaker the likes of which it hasn't seen since Ford rescued it from obscurity in the 1990s and gave most of the building blocks it's still using today. ASTON MARTIN LAGONDA LOOKS AHEAD IN CHINA - Asia show debuts for DBX Concept and Lagonda Taraf - Comprehensive product renewal and expansion ahead - Aston Martin underlines commitment to the Chinese market 20 April 2015, Shanghai: Luxury British car brand Aston Martin Lagonda is confidently looking to the future at the 16th Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition, with CEO Dr Andy Palmer leading the company into an exciting new era reaching far into the next decade. For the first time in China the innovative DBX Concept and exclusive Lagonda Taraf were unveiled, spearheading Aston Martin's display at the show.

Aston Martin CEO dreams of an electric future for James Bond

With an endless stream of leggy models, futuristic weapons, and a dashing wardrobe, James Bond can rightfully be associated with indulgence. But his car of choice may soon take on a more ecologic bent by way of electric motor and some batteries. So says Andy Palmer, who is predicting an electric vehicle in Bond's future. EVS are 'almost as inevitable as death and tax.' - Andy Palmer Palmer, of course, is CEO of Aston Martin. As he said in a recent interview with CNBC, mass adoption of electrified vehicles is "almost as inevitable as death and tax," and that will extend to Bond – James Bond – as well. Take a look at CNBC's one-minute video clip with Palmer here. The fictional character has been linked to Aston Martin since the third James Bond film, 1964's Goldfinger. In it, the spy, then played by Sean Connery, drove an Aston Martin DB5. Most recently, Aston Martin built James Bond's DB10 especially for the 2015 film Spectre. The lure for the spy would be less the environmental statement and more the fact that electric cars have a ton of torque and can take off like a shot, says Palmer. He should know, having joined Nissan in 1991 and playing a key role in the development of the Nissan Leaf. He also pushed Nissan to add an electric powertrain to the Infiniti LE with the goal to do so by 2014, but by that year he'd left Nissan for Aston Martin. As for the UK automaker, it said last year that it was working with investment firm ChinaEquity on fitting the Aston Martin Rapide with an electric powertrain by 2017, and the car may have as much as 1,000 horsepower, too, which should be plenty for Bond. The company may also be working on an all-electric DBX SUV.

Xcar takes us behind the scenes of Aston Vantage video shoot

Xcar makes some of the best car videos on the internet, which is why we enjoy bringing them to your attention whenever they surface. And if you've taken the time to watch any of them, it probably won't surprise you to find out they don't just come together all on their own. Like any production, the producers at Xcar do their homework, take their time to set up, shoot and reshoot segments, and surely spend plenty of time in post-production as well. It's a labor of love, but as you can see from this latest "behind the scenes" video, it's not always pleasant. This video shows us what it was like to put together the video with the Aston Martin V12 Vantage S Roadster released a couple of months ago. The talents behind the video series took the unusual decision of filming the drop-top supercar in the sleet and snow of the Welch countryside, enduring some punishing conditions in the process... but it all proved worth the effort for the video that resulted.