Aston Martin Convertible, Gun Metal Metallic, Mansory Package! on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Aston Martin Rapide puts the future on display at CES

Aston Martin looks to be on the verge of a technological revolution. That includes a new platform, powertrain, design language... the works. And at CES, it's showing how its next generation of vehicles will incorporate new infotainment technologies, as well. Stemming from a partnership recently signed with Chinese company Letv (which we're not sure how to pronounce either), this Aston Martin Rapide S is decked out with bright tech. It has a 13.3-inch high-def touchscreen display in the center console, a 12.2-inch display in the instrument cluster, new speed-recognition technology, and remote services. All the features come from Letv's Internet of the Vehicle program. Few of these features are ground-breaking, but everything being relative, it's a big step for Aston Martin. After all, the British automaker makes almost all of its models based on a platform that dates back fifteen years, a V12 engine that's even older, and no transmission with more than a single clutch. But that's all about to change with a new generation on the horizon, and this demonstrator hints at just one way in which we'll soon see that transformation take shape. Related Video: LETV AND ASTON MARTIN REVEAL THE AUTOLINK RAPIDE S AT CES 6 January 2016, Las Vegas USA: Leading global technology company Letv and luxury sports car brand Aston Martin today revealed at the Consumer Electronics Show the first results of their collaboration – an Aston Martin Rapide S incorporating the latest Letv Internet of the Vehicle (IOV) system. Aston Martin and Letv signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on December 3rd 2015 to confirm research projects that include the development of connected electric vehicles through to manufacturing consultation on future electric vehicles. The ideation and engineering of the Aston Martin Rapide S project has been led by the Letv IOV team and has focused on a new concept for the centre console and instrument panel. The center console is now a 13.3 inch HD touch screen and the instrument panel is now a 12.2 inch screen incorporating electronic instrumentation and gauges. The original human-machine interaction (HMI) has also been updated by integrating Letvs latest speech recognition technology. Letv first showed its Autolink system in November 2015, the first time the technology company had released a product specifically developed for automotive applications.

Aston Martin boss says DBX is about securing the future

The Aston Martin DBX was a revelation when it debuted at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show. Not only did the concept evolve the British brand's traditional shape into a high-riding crossover coupe, there were electric motors to power each wheel. Just a few weeks ago, we learned that the company secured $306 million in funding to actually bring the DBX to production. Now, CEO Andy Palmer is talking about just how important the model is for the future. With the DBX moving into such a radically different segment than the rest of the lineup, the model gives Aston Martin the opportunity to go after a new group of customers. "You can't create enough working capital with just 7,000 cars a year whichever way you look at it. You've got to extend the portfolio somewhere, and I'd rather do this than sell caps and t-shirts," Palmer said to Auto Express, taking a slight dig at Ferrari. While Aston calls the DBX a crossover, its coupe-like lines don't look like any other vehicle in the segment, especially other high-style CUV attempts like the BMW X6 and Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Coupe. Apparently, that differentiation is entirely on purpose. "We think there is a different space to the traditional SUV. Why? Because we make beautiful cars, and it's hard to make a beautiful SUV. It's hard to make a box beautiful," Palmer said to Auto Express. The production DBX will gain two more doors for the start of production in 2019, according to Auto Express. The high-performance electric powertrain will remain, though, and Aston will aim for a range of over 300 miles. Earlier reports also suggested that the CUV could be produced at a new factory in the US. Aston Martin isn't abandoning its performance legacy entirely, though. The DBX is just one part of Palmer's Second Century plan, and the other major pillar is replacing every model in the brand's lineup by the end of the decade. One of them has already been spotted testing. Related Video: The video meant to be presented here is no longer available. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Aston Martin debuts electric, all-wheel-drive DBX concept

This is like no Aston Martin you've seen before. Oh, sure, it's a coupe, and a luxury grand tourer, at that. But what's so unique about this new DBX concept is what's underneath that slick sheetmetal. Not only is this Aston all-wheel drive, it uses an all-electric powertrain. Yep, it's an Aston EV. Aston Martin says the DBX was created to "defy conventional thinking about the luxury GT segment," with CEO Andy Palmer saying, "The DBX Concept is a challenge to the existing status quo in the high luxury GT segment. It envisages a world, perhaps a world not too far away, when luxury GT travel is not only stylish and luxurious but also more practical, more family-friendly and more environmentally responsible." Powertrain wise, this is a huge departure from what we currently associate with Aston Martin. It doesn't have an engine compartment, because it's powered by electric, in-wheel motors. It has drive-by-wire electric steering, carbon ceramic brakes (okay, that sounds like Aston), a KERS energy recovery system, and cameras in place of actual mirrors (because it's a concept, of course). Design-wise, the DBX has a sort of high-riding coupe look to it, which makes its all-wheel-drive setup clearly evident. It's not super swoopy or revolutionary in terms of its design, instead perhaps more evolutionary than anything. It almost looks like it could be headed for production, even though Palmer put the kibosh on that thinking, saying, "This is, clearly, not a production-ready sports GT car, but it is a piece of fresh, bold thinking about what Aston Martin GT customers around the world could request of us in the future." In any case, it's certainly a fascinating and surprising debut from the British automaker. Check it out, above, and read more details in the press blast, below. ASTON MARTIN DBX CONCEPT CHALLENGES CONVENTION - DBX Concept redefines the luxury GT segment for the 21st Century - World debut for idea of first all-electric, all-wheel drive, Aston Martin - Sophisticated design and innovative engineering to broaden appeal 3 March 2015, Gaydon: Aston Martin today challenges the nature of luxury GT travel in the 21st Century with the debut at the 85th Geneva International Motor Show of the innovative DBX Concept. Created to defy conventional thinking about the luxury GT segment, the DBX Concept widens the appeal of the iconic British luxury brand and reaches out to a more diverse global audience than ever before.