Aston Martin News

McLaren W1 First Drive: Ferocious Hypercar Transcends the Track

You know things are getting serious when McLaren rolls-out the ‘1’ suffix. The origin story is, of course, the very first road car McLaren ever built, the F1. Designed by visionary Formula 1 aerodynamicist and engineer Gordon Murray, it arrived in 1992 and rendered all other supercars obsolete. The tiny, lightweight F1 embraced carbon-fibre material technology, adopted a radical centre seat driving position with two passengers set back and either side and was powered by a 6.1-litre V12 engine from BMW that might as well have been passed down directly from the Gods. Game-changer? That doesn’t even come close to describing its impact, even if at the time sales didn’t come easy… The P1 was very different. Rather than a unique side project from the Formula 1 team, it was instead a statement piece for McLaren Automotive, a new road car division still in its infancy. It arrived in 2013 and was a wild-eyed showstopper. It traded the long-legged gait and supple suspension of the F1 for a weaponized hybrid system capable of delivering 903bhp and huge blue flames from its drainpipe exhaust. In Race mode, it lowered by 2-inches and its massive concave rear wing extended into the sky. The P1 was all about aerodynamic downforce, crazed acceleration and a snorting, angry soundtrack that mixed venomous twin-turbocharged V8 with the manic whirr of electric motors. Not so much a car as a force of nature. And now there’s this: The W1. It’s a true successor to the P1 with a similar brief and, on the face of it, it evolves rather than radically reinvents McLaren’s vision for the ultimate hypercar. This is not a criticism. How could it be when the result is this dramatic and has such staggering, other-worldly potential? The W1 has 1258bhp delivered to the rear wheels. It’s capable of 0-124 mph in 5.8-seconds, the quarter mile in 9.6-seconds at 167 mph and produces 2205lbs of downforce at 174 mph. The active aerodynamics – particularly a rear wing that extends way out beyond the rear of the car – are pure performance art and deliver massive aerodynamic efficiency. The result, aside from looking extremely cool, is that the W1 is McLaren’s fastest road car around a racetrack. Ever. Their benchmark circuit is the breath-taking Handling Track at the Nardo proving ground in southern Italy, where the W1 beats their previous benchmark, the flyweight McLaren Senna, by three seconds per lap. Or “a lifetime” as they call it in racing. Maybe two lifetimes! Core to the W1’s performance is the new ‘Aerocell’ carbon fibre tub. With integrated seats and a raised footwell to allow for inboard pushrod-operated front suspension – which in turn gives air a clean path to the huge underbody diffuser – it’s light, stiff, space efficient and has been instrumental in McLaren realising a full ground-effect concept. Just like last year’s F1 cars, which were the fastest ever made. There is also an active front wing and the aforementioned complex rear wing dubbed ‘Active Long Tail’. All of which is very admirable. But the ‘anhedral’ or gullwing doors and the fantastically shirnked-wrapped feel to the minimalist, highly-focussed interior are a pretty good side effect. The W1 feels special. Those fixed seats are perhaps a shade more upright than expected, and the driving position is less obviously racecar than, for example, the Aston Martin Valhalla or Ferrari F80. However, once you’ve adjusted the pedals (they move on a slider) and the delicate, slim-rimmed and alcantara-trimmed steering wheel, there’s an overwhelming sense of purpose. The cabin is so tightly tailored and imparts a sense of lightness and agility before you so much as start the all-new 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, which makes 916bhp all on its own and revs to 9200rpm. Reach up to a roof-mounted control panel to find the starter button. Maybe this fighter plane trope is a little corny, but somehow you feel thrilled rather than manipulated. The W1 has a sense of humour as well as all that motorsport-derived sophistication. There’s a short delay, but when the engine does fire it’s instant – as the high-powered hybrid system negates the need for an old-school starter motor. A sharp flare of revs tells you that this engine is hyper-responsive and angry. On some deep level your brain and body have been sent all the signals required to prepare for something new and intense. Ahead of us, an empty Mugello racetrack, so press and hold the blue button next to the red starter to select Race mode. The centre display graphic shows the W1’s transformation in real time as it lowers by 37mm at the front and 17mm at the rear whilst simultaneously undocking all that active aero goodness. Race mode is not road legal and is geo-locked. You can show your friends and neighbours the aero dance, but it won’t allow you to select a gear to actually drive unless you’re at a circuit. Incidentally, the rocker switches either side of the display binnacle allow further options now: Toggle up the Handling control on the left for Race+ (for F1-spec super smooth tracks) or stick to Race for gnarlier ones. On the right toggle select ‘GP’ for sustained performance over a stint or ‘Sprint’ to unleash all 1258bhp for a time attack. There’s also a DRS and Boost function on the steering wheel. But I guarantee you won’t have the mental capacity to use them… Exit the pitlane, pin the throttle and W1 takes maybe a millisecond or two to gather its might (the gearing stretches to around 60mph in first, nearly 100mph in second, primarily to aid traction), but then lunges at the first turn with incredible ferocity. It instantly feels light, almost like inertia is no longer a thing. McLaren really does prize lightweight engineering, and at 3084lbs (dry) the W1 has a 278lbs advantage over the Ferrari F80. Plus, Ferrari uses figures for cars fitted with every single carbon fibre option. In reality, the gap is probably wider still. The impression of agility and stunning control continues as the track is unravelled at startling pace. The electric motor mounted to the side of the new 8-speed dual-clutch transmission is good for 342bhp and 324lb ft and it boosts any low rev lethargy the new flat-plane crank V8 might have (spoiler alert: It doesn’t appear to have any), so the W1 just feels massively, almost impossibly powerful at any revs. Even so, there’s real reward for wringing it out to 9200rpm and the power curve feels superheated but organic, too. In Race mode the steering – still hydraulically powered – has less assistance and it is noticeably heavier than other McLarens. However, that resistance is welcome as it gives you something to push against and imparts so much information about the front grip level. New Pirelli Trofeo RS tyres with a bigger front footprint than P1 or Senna really help. The front-end feels incredibly secure and the rear-axle follows with perfectly-aligned precision. The whole car feels super-stiff, completely locked into the surface and inspires confidence, but there’s an inherent agility and adjustability that means you’re quickly confident to push at its limits and really impose yourself on the chassis. It’s such a complex car but the driving experience is intuitive, and the driver feels a key contributor rather than just amazed (or terrified) observer, holding on for dear life. Every dynamic ingredient really is shockingly effective and yet has a subtlety and lightness of touch. From that delicious steering to the incredible brakes, the W1 just feels so mission-focussed, so hooked-up. Only the new 8-speed gearbox is a slightly disappointment. It’s fast and punchy, but after the scintillating energy of the Ferrari F80 ’box it feels competent rather than inspired. Other quibbles – it’s okay to quibble when the starting price is $2.1-million before tax and destination charge. Well, that new twin-turbocharged V8 sounds tightly wound and aggressive but if you have a P1 tucked in the garage you’ll miss the snorting, Darth Vader-style soundscape and all the drama that goes with it. Ferrari does this better, too. The F80 sounds deathly dull from the outside but is a riot of turbochargers, electric motors and all sorts of mechanical fury within the cockpit. Even so, the W1 is wildly entertaining on track, and the rear-drive configuration makes it more of a challenge and more satisfying than the F80 when chasing lap times or just sliding around for fun. In the Ferrari, you must second-guess what the front e-axle might do, whereas in the W1 it’s all on you. There are plenty of tools to help, including the ingenious Variable Drift Control, but somehow the W1 is more heroic. Or at least fools you into feeling more heroic – which is surely the point! On the road? Nimble, loaded with feel and sublime response. The ride is noticeably tougher than, say, a 750S but the control is ramped-up too, and with a bit more speed the whole car finds a delicious rhythm. Sport mode for the drivetrain brings some nice turbo whooshes and chirps, but the noise remains high-quality rather than extreme excitement. It is perhaps the one area the W1 feels just a little too tame. Of course, there’s nothing tame about the raw performance… which is genuinely shocking and literally hurts your neck muscles after a few hours. How McLaren has given the W1 such immense traction through just two driven wheels is beyond me. So, is it worthy of that ‘1’? I think so. Perhaps we won’t be talking about $25-million auction results for the W1 in 30 years from now, as we are for the F1. Perhaps it doesn’t quite have the amazing presence and jaw-dropping star quality of the simply gorgeous P1. But it is such an intense experience and the way it marries stunning track performance with delicate poise and entertainment on normal roads is something akin to magic. Maybe not ‘the one’ but definitely a searing, outrageous addition to McLaren’s fiercest family line. Just 399 W1’s will be built and they’re all sold. I’m not surprised at all. View All McLarens For Sale Images: McLaren Automotive

By Andrew Nabors – September 22, 2020

Aston Martin Announces Attractive Pricing for 2021 DBX an...

Covid has hit all automakers right where it counts. While some manufacturers have suspended production of their high-end models, Aston Martin has announced attractive pricing for the 2021 DBX and the 2021 Vantage for sale. In a report by CNET, the brand's first SUV has been trimmed by $13,000 and the Vantage is now $14,000 more affordable. Both are built by hand using the latest in materials and engineering. I wish the same strategy was applied to the DBS Superleggera, as it is among the best cars I have driven. If you have been contemplating an English luxury car, strike while the iron is hot. Click the button to find our dealer near you and stay with us for all your Aston Martin news. Browse Aston Martin For Sale " width="680">

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By Andrew Nabors – September 21, 2020

Aston Martin Wins LeMans & Manufacturers' Trophy

Our hats are off to the drivers and crewmembers of AMR. If you missed the live stream over the weekend, Aston Martin won LeMans along with the Manufacturers' Championship trophy. Even with one race remaining this season, Aston Martin's 1-2 finish for both Vantage GTE teams earned enough points to win the Manufacturer's Championship. " width="680"> Team TF Sports was head by Aston Martin Works drivers Jonny Adam and Charlie Eastwood took 2nd place while Alex Lynn and Maxime Martin hammered car #97 to 1st place. Tobias Moers, Aston Martin CEO, commented: “I am extremely proud of everyone who has played a part in this momentous victory today. To win both GTE classes and the WEC Manufacturer’s title is testimony to the quality of both the team, the Vantage GTE and the Vantage road car that is the basis of the race car.” If you are curious as to how the Vantage is so potent, click the button below and stay with us for all your Aston Martin news. Browse Aston Martin Vantage For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – September 04, 2020

Aston Martin Victor Unveiled at Hampton Court Concours d'...

We hope the weather holds off in London this weekend. The best cars in the United Kingdom have been joined by the latest from English automakers. Not to be outdone by any other make, the Aston Martin Victor has been unveiled at Hampton Court Concours d'Elegance as a one-off creation. It has only been uncovered for a few hours and the automotive world is truly in awe of what Aston Martin has accomplished. Q by Aston Martin was responsible for the Victor and its proved itself to be their most ambitious creation yet. The design was inspired by the V8 Vantage of the 1970s and 80s, as well as the 70s DBS V8. On the body, Q by Aston Martin applied the 'Pentland Green' paint which is joined by satin carbon fiber components. For the lightning, they borrowed technology from the Valkyrie hypercar. Inside, the Victor's cabin featured the Forest Green and Conker Bridge of Weir leathers. These high-grade leathers are joined by the visible carbon fiber of the chassis. Q by Aston Martin also included anodized aluminum and polished titanium hardware, as well as solid walnut features to add an extra touch of finesse. Based on the carbon fiber chassis of the One:77, its naturally-aspirated 7.3-liter V12 sends 836 horsepower and 606 lb-ft of torque to a six-speed manual transmission. That engine actually came from One-77, but it has been rebuilt and retuned thanks to Cosworth. While it shares the inboard suspension and Brembo ceramic brakes as the One:77, this gorgeous coupe stands alone as a statement of what they are capable of. A twin-disk clutch was needed to handle the incredible power. It makes 836 horsepower without turbos or a supercharger. Just incredible engineering to their venerable V12. If you think they should build a few more examples of this masterpiece and stay with us for all your Aston Martin news. Browse Aston Martin For Sale

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By Andrew Nabors – August 17, 2020

007 Limited Edition Aston Martins Celebrate the Latest Ja...

We are patiently waiting for November, for the 25th James Bond film to be released. To celebrate their long history with the franchise, a series of 007 Limited Editions are being prepared to celebrate "No Time To Die". EON Productions produces each film, and their collaboration has yielded 007 versions of the Vantage and DBS Superleggera. Available to order at your local dealer, both cars are built by Aston Martin's Q division. The Vantage 007 is inspired by the first V8 that debuted in the Living Daylights in 1987. The original car will also be seen in the upcoming film. Details include a dashed yellow diffuser inspired by the hazard stripes on the film car’s rockets. The Vantage 007 Edition can even be delivered with a set of The Living Daylights inspired limited edition skis and ski rack – referencing the ‘winterised’ V8 saloon from the film. Aston Martin & Bowmore Unveil DB5 1964 Single Malt Scotch The paint is Cumberland Grey while the interior will be presented in obsidian black leather and dark chrome with 007 brandings applied on the center console of cars equipped with a manual gearbox. The sun visors of all the cars will carry another subtle film reference in the shape of an embroidered radio station frequency – 96.60 (FM) – which 007 buffs will know was the Russian police frequency Bond used to aid his escape in The Living Daylights. If you need the ultimate power, the 007 Edition DBS Superleggera offers 715 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque. Only 25 examples will be build, each in Ceramic Grey. The body accents are black-tinted carbon and 007 references and Easter Eggs can be found inside and out. Pricing for the Vantage will start at $210,798 and the DBS will be $365,329. Click the button below to learn more from our dealers and stay with us for all your Aston Martin news. Browse Aston Martin For Sale

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By Andrew Nabors – August 06, 2020

Aston Martin & Bowmore Unveil DB5 1964 Single Malt Scotch

Bowmore has been making world-renowned whiskey for over 240 years. But in 1964 they were forced to replace their ancient boiler with a modern one. Another momentus event happened that year, the Aston Martin DB5 was driven by Agent 007 in Goldfinger. As the master coachbuilders assembled each example by hand, the new upgraded distillery began brewing "Black Bowmore". It has been described as a rich and decadent single malt. Aston Martin DB5 Goldfinger Continuation #1 Completed Only 25 bottles will be offered, each made by hand. The wood presentation box is also handmade, with calfskin leather and nickel-plated brass hardware. Marek Reichman, Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer of Aston Martin Lagonda, said: “This exciting new association with Bowmore gives us the perfect opportunity to celebrate a vital part of our star-studded history by combining the unrivalled appeal of the iconic DB5 with the cultured flavours of this world-renowned single malt.” Browse Aston Martin For Sale Just like the latest supercars from Aston Martin, this scotch will only increase in value. It has been aged 31 years to reach 100-proof in Spanish Sherry casks. The suggested retail price is $65,685, so click the button to find a dealer near you and stay with us for all your Aston Martin news.

By Andrew Nabors – July 31, 2020

Aston Martin Racing Driver Academy Kicks Off 2020 Season

Finding a decent driver is a challenge for any automaker, so that's why Aston Martin Racing opened a Driving Academy. This year they have selected 13 drivers to push their track cars to the limits while being mindful of Covid precautions. The school focuses on young driver development, from the age of 17 to 25 years old. They are strapped into the Vantage GT3 and GT4 models along with factory drivers for the ultimate learning experience. Last year's British GT4 champion Tom Canning was also at the top of his class in last year's Driver Academy, and he credits his wins from what he learned at the academy. Aston Martin Vantage by RENNtech David King is the President of Aston Martin Racing, and he said: That there is a fresh group of talented individuals ready and eager to participate in the 2020 Aston Martin Racing Driver Academy, in spite of the difficulties presented by the coronavirus pandemic, demonstrates the value of this initiative and the importance of the junior GT racing ecosystem. It remains our mission to uncover the best young talent emerging through our customer network, so that we may both assist them in their future careers and protect the competitve prospects for Aston Martin Racing and the teams that race our cars in the long-term.” The 2020 Aston Martin Vantage makes for a perfect track machine, so click the link below to find yours and stay with us for all your Aston Martin updates. Browse Aston Martin Vantage For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – July 22, 2020

R-Reforged Reveals Production Version of the Callum Vanqu...

Back in June we teased you with Ian Callum's latest project. After retiring from Jaguar/Land Rover last year, he found himself unable to stop designing incredible cars. Since he is responsible for the original Aston Martin Vanquish, he decided to build his interpretation of the perfect example. The Aston Martin CALLUM Vanquish 25 by R-Reforged is a mouthful, and also a stunning supercar. Since the concept was unveiled, the Swiss coachbuilders amassed 350 engineering and design tweaks to make it more practical and relevant. Revealed: Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato Volante R-Reforged logged over 20,000 test miles were used to dial in the Bilstein suspension, tire choices, and the sway bars. Head of engineering Adam Donfrancesco said: "There was a perception that much of what we planned was aesthetic but the way the car drives, feels, goes, stops and sounds is actually where a lot of our efforts have been focused. We’ve defined a set up that finesses the composed, big Aston Martin GT feel but sharpens and hones it in line the progress that new tyres, suspension and knowledge brings. It’s got to be a car you want to use and be adaptable; laid back and comfortable enough to soak up a 300-mile trip across Europe but equally engaging and rewarding on a 20-minute run to meet friends at an informal cars and coffee meet. That versatility and accessible performance is something many contemporary GTs lack. We have all missed the chance to just go for a drive for pleasure in the past few months. This is now the car to make the most of those precious times.” Under the bonnet is a 580 horsepower V12. Buyers can choose from a six-speed manual, sequential, or traditional automatic transmission. The exterior color palette is infinite, and the leather interior is from Bridge of Weir. Mulberry luggage and a Bremont Pocket Watch are just a few of the other included amenities also designed by Mr. Callum. Customers can spec their car via a video conference with him, or at the assembly plant in Warwick. This car raises the bar for coachbuilt English supercars, so stay with us for more updates from R-Reforged. Browse Aston Martin Vanquish For Sale

By Edward Jones – July 09, 2020

First Aston Martin DBX SUV Rolls Off of Production Line

It's a time to celebrate as the very first Aston Martin DBX has rolled off of the production line. Aston Martin is producing the new SUV at their new manufacturing facility in St Athan, Wales. In fact, this will be the very first Aston Martin to be "Made in Wales." The facility that Aston Martin is using as a manufacturing facility was previously an ex-Ministry of Defense site. Now, it's where new Aston Martins will be created on a daily basis. Keith Stanton, the Aston Martin Interim Chief Operating Office, said the following in a press release form the automaker: “It is a real privilege to be here today to witness the completion of the first production Aston Martin DBX. I’m extremely proud of the Aston Martin team who have worked so hard to transform this ex-Ministry of Defence site into a world-class car manufacturing facility, to now be producing cars, it is testament to the resilience and fortitude of everyone at Aston Martin. It is an honour to see the first DBX come off the line and my only regret is that everyone who works for this incredible brand can’t be here to witness it.” See All Aston Martins for Sale

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By Andrew Nabors – July 06, 2020

Aston Martin DB5 Goldfinger Continuation #1 Completed

What once was old is new again, and Aston Martin have completed the first new DB5 in over 50 years. As an iconic continuation car, it was built with original tooling and identical upgrades featured in the James Bond classic: Goldfinger. Less than 900 DB5 coupes were built between '63 and '65, and the car was immortalized with Agent 007 behind the wheel. "Job 1" took over 4,500 hours to build, in cooperation with EON Productions- the owners of the Bond film franchise. Only 25 cars will be built, with each featuring a smokescreen, revolving license plates, machine guns, bullet shields, and other gadgets developed by Q. Under the hood is a 4-liter straight-six with triple SU carburetors. ZF supplies a 5-speed gearbox, and the differential is limited-slip. Power disc brakes and manual steering are linked to coil-over shocks and a thick front sway bar. Deliveries are targeted to be completed this fall, unfortunately, all cars have been sold. The best way to experience the quality and power of Aston Martin is in the new DBS Superleggera, as I was in awe after a weekend review. Click the button below to find yours and stay with us for all your Aston Martin news. Browse Aston Martin DBS Superleggera For Sale

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By Edward Jones – June 24, 2020

See the New Aston Martin Motorcycle Finally In Action

We haven't seen a lot of the AMB 001 motorcycle by Aston Martin and Brough Superior since 2019, but now we know it's undergoing some serious testing. Aston Martin has announced that the AMB 001 prototype is undergoing testing thanks to as part of its development process. This track testing is allowing the team to bench test the engine and fine-tune the chassis. You can actually see the bike tested down below in a video released by Aston Martin. According to the Aston Martin, deliveries of the bike will begin being delivered later this year and only 100 examples of the bike will be created in total. "Everybody involved has managed to make tremendous progress with the development of AMB 001, despite the challenges we have all been facing," said Aston Martin Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer, Marek Reichman. "This special motorcycle is, like our road cars, the result of beautiful design melding with modern technology to produce a bike that any collector will be proud of." See All Aston Martins for Sale

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