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 Edward Jones – August 11, 2019

Aston Martin Valkyrie: Price, Specs, and Pics

Aston Martin Valkyrie Price Automakers have two choices when it comes to pricing a hypercar. Considering the time and effort that goes into development, the Aston Martin Valkyrie price of $3,200,000 is a fraction of what it really costs. Since it will be amortized among 150 examples, it will allow the brand to experience the trials and tribulations of this market. Of course, each example will be sold, but even the most loyal customers are on a waiting list. One day we will be happy to list an Aston Martin Valkyrie for sale, as it has the potential to shake up an industry. Aston Martin Valkyrie Review In order to get a feel for the car, we must first address the elephant in the room. The Aston Martin Valkyrie was not built completely in-house. It began life as the AM-RB 001. This cryptic designation is the first collaboration between Aston Martin and Red Bull. The former wanted a street legal hypercar, so they turned to the wizards at Red Bull Racing for a helping hand. The car uses F1 suspension and a one-piece carbon fiber body. Both of which are produced by Multimatic, a leader in composite construction. Because the car is capable of cornering at 3.5G, so Aston Martin have built a simulator to allow owners to experience a fraction of its abilities. For a proper Aston Martin Valkyrie review, be sure to download it as an expansion pack for your favorite racing game. The only missing part will be the Aston Martin Valkyrie horsepower of 1,130 hp. Aston Martin Valkyrie Specs It is so different than anything else on the road, let's break down the Aston Martin Valkyrie specs. Powered by an all-new Cosworth V12, the Aston Martin Valkyrie top speed is 250 mph. This is only achieved by the 4,000 lbs of downforce keeping you safe. Price: $3,200,000 Engine: 6.5L Cosworth V12 Transmission: 7-Speed Dual Clutch Automatic Horsepower: 1,130 hp (With Kers) Torque: 663 lb-ft (With Kers) 0-60 mph: 2.5s 1/4 mile: TBD Top Speed: 250 mph Aston Martin Valkyrie Engine Don't let anyone tell you the V12 is dead. Aston Martin asked Cosworth to design a new 6.5L naturally aspirated beast. Their expertise in racing meant dispensing with timing belts or even a chain. That's because the valve timing must be precise at 11,000 rpm. So all four cams are gear driven from the crankshaft on the back of the engine. The valvetrain wasn't moved for reliability, but the simple fact that cam gears spinning at those speeds would make the cockpit noise unbearable. The change also allows the block to be the central element of the rear suspension. Fully dressed, the Aston Martin Valkyrie engine tips the scales at 454 lbs, which is less than most V8 engines. One issue will be the Aston Martin Valkyrie mpg, as 6.5L at 11,000 rpm will be thirsty. Aston Martin Valkyrie Transmission A normal dual-clutch transmission would not be capable of shifting past 10,000 rpm. Not only was that one constraint, but the 7-speed gearbox also has an electric motor. It is a Kers unit that is capable of adding 160 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque to the input shaft. Needless to say, Ricardo was the only manufacturer to answer the call. Like the engine, the transmission is also a stressed member of the suspension. This further added complexity in maintaining the case geometry. With even and odd numbered gears on their own shafts, the stress on the gearbox changes sides with each shift. Perhaps a 6-speed manual would have been easier. Aston Martin Valkyrie Interior When it comes to extreme interiors, the Aston Martin Valkyrie is at the top. Both carbon fiber seats are bolted in place to add rigidity and reduce weight. Traditional mirrors are replaced by display screens, and the steering wheel has digital information in your line of sight. The seats are prepped for 5-point harnesses, but they arrive with lap and shoulder belts from the factory. Some of the more outrageous features might need to be revised to become street legal. (Also Check Out: Aston Martin DB11 Chases Down Vulcan) Aston Martin Valkyrie Brakes From what we know so far, the massive rotors and calipers for the Valkyrie are the results of cooperation between Alcon and Surface Transforms. The one-piece calipers were machined with only a slight air gap to the 20" front and 21" rear wheels. Of course, the stability systems will involve control of the calipers. Brake vectoring is also involved, to keep the Valkyrie glued in the corners. (Related: Meet the Pinnacle Aston Martin: The Vantage GT12 Roadster) Aston Martin Valkyrie Standout Features Extolling the virtues of such a unique automobile, here are our choices for the Valkyrie's standout features. It is the first Aston Martin to incorporate a KERS system. It can be used to boost power at an instant. The design of the body also stands out. The F1 front suspension is essentially an open wheel car obscured by fenders. Air is channeled from the fenders into a central tunnel. This is how it achieves 4,000 lbs of downforce at 250 mph. Finally, Aston Martin has warned anyone who intends on selling the Valkyrie for a profit. Flippers will be banned from the VIP list and never allowed to purchase another Aston Martin. Shop Aston Martin Vulcan " width="680"> Related: Full Aston Martin Valkyrie Power Figures Revealed Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR Track Performance Pack & Option List

By Edward Jones – August 09, 2019

Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Commissioned by House of Bijan

Heading to the Monterey Car Week is a special edition Aston Martin DBS Superleggera that was commissioned by iconic fashion designer House of Bijan. This special edition DBS was made possible thanks to 'Q by Aston Martin', the bespoke branch of the English automaker. As for what makes this car special, we don't know all of the details. However, the pictures that were uploaded to Twitter tell us quite a bit. The most noticeable bit feature of the special edition DBS Superleggera is the yellow paint, a color which Bijan is known for using. There's also the Bijan name printed along the underside of the rear wing. Unfortunately, we'll have to wait until Monterey Car Week to learn everything about this car, so check back with us next week! see all dbs superleggers for sale

By Andrew Nabors – August 05, 2019

Aston Martin Residences are Rising in Miami

If you are in the market for a great investment, check out what's happening at 300 Biscayne Boulevard Way. With the foundations complete, the Aston Martin Residences are rising in Miami. With a target of early 2022, over 14,000 cubic yards of concrete have already been poured. The project is a collaboration between G&G Business Developments and Aston Martin's Design Team. In a press release this morning, the ground floor is expected to be completed by the end of the month. Rising 66 floors above street level, the Residences range in size from 700 to 19,000 square feet. It will be the tallest residential building outside of NYC, and a new icon of the South Florida skyline. Aston Martin's Chief Creative Officer Marek Reichman said: "One of the greatest joys of design is seeing your work come to life. As this is Aston Martin’s first foray into real estate we are especially keen to see the tower start to take shape". Over 50% of the properties have already been sold, with prices ranging from $750,000 to $50 Million. You can't roll up here in a Saturn or Pontiac, so we recommend the latest Aston Martin DBS Superleggera. Click the link below to find a dealer near you, and ask them about your new Miami abode. Browse Aston Martin DBS Superleggera For Sale

By Edward Jones – July 15, 2019

Aston Martin Valkyrie Makes its Public Debut at Silverstone

Even though it seems like it's already happened before, the Aston Martin Valkyrie made its public debut at the 2019 British Grand Prix over the weekend. The British hypercar was not only shown off statically to the crowd attending the race, but it also hit the track for its first public track demonstration. Yes, you read that right: Aston Martin actually took the Valkyrie out for some track time. " width="680"> Chris Goodwin, the Aston Martin High Performance Test Driver, was the man behind the wheel of the hypercar for its maiden lap. Aston Martin noted that this demo was not about lap times, but more about giving the crowd a glimpse of what's to come. Goodwin had this to say after completing the lap around Silverstone: "I’ve driven this car around Silverstone for countless hours on the simulator at Aston Martin Red Bull Racing’s HQ and in many other sportscars throughout my career, but to drive Aston Martin Valkyrie here today feels exceptionally special." Also, I have to mention how crazy this livery is for the Valkyrie. I hope this isn't the last we see of this design. I'm looking at you, buyers of the Valkyrie. see all aston martins for sale

By Edward Jones – July 09, 2019

See the Aston Martin DBS GT Zagato's Final Look

Aston Martin has finally revealed what the production version of the new DBS GT Zagato will look like. This new luxury car will be paired with the DB4 GT Zagato continuation model to complete the DBZ Centenary Collection. This new collection was designed to celebrate 100 years of Bentley Motors in the most exclusive way possible -- only 19 sets of the collection will be created. For the DBZ GT Zagato, Aston Martin starts the build around the DBS Superleggera. Of course, this car is very much different when compared to the DBS Superleggera. For instance, the front end of the car has been designed to essentially "breathe." By that, I mean that the 108 carbon fiber pieces in the grille remain flush with the car's body until the car is started up. When the engine comes to life, these pieces move to allow air to reach the twin-turbo V12 engine. Expect the Aston Martin DBS GT Zagato to hit production in 2020. see all aston martins for sale

By Andrew Nabors – June 12, 2019

Aston Martin Builds 1st Cars From New Plant

Things are looking up for Aston Martin. Their partnership with Mercedes-AMG shows no signs of weakening, and their second assembly plant is about to shock the world. When we hear that Aston Martin has built the first cars from their new plant, we figured it would be an AMR. But their latest press release shows the first prototypes of the DBX. As the first SUV from this historic brand, nothing can be left to chance. Chassis and power train validation began last year, with test mules attacking the Welsh countryside. The site has also been named the home of Aston Martin electrification, and they aim to create 3,000 new jobs when full-scale production begins. Rumors abound that the DBX will arrive with the AMG 4.0L V8, so we hope they leave room for the big V12. Tell us what you think of an Aston Martin SUV in the comments below and stay with us for all your Aston Martin news. Browse Aston Martin For Sale Related: Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato Continuation will Launch at LeMans New James Bond Inspired Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Revealed

onhermajestyssecretservice-astonmartin (1)

By Edward Jones – May 22, 2019

New James Bond Inspired Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Rev...

The sixth James Bond film, "On Her Majesty's Secret Service," may be one that isn't discussed as much as others like "Goldfinger" but it's actually a great film and an important one. Released in 1969, it was the first Bond film to not have Sean Connery as the secret agent star. Now, on its 50th anniversary, Aston Martin is celebrating the classic Bond film with the Her Majesty’s Secret Service DBS Superleggera special edition. Aston Martin chose to paint this special edition car in the same Olive Green color as the 1969 Aston Martin DBS that James Bond drove in the film. On top of the classic paint scheme, the special edition DBS Superleggera also features a suite of exterior components that make it more aggressive looking than ever before. This includes the wild diamond turned and forged wheels, front splitter, bespoke metal grille and more. Inside, the elegance continues with black leather that's contrasted by gray blend Alcantara. These color choices were chosen to mimic the original car DBS. Aston Martin also added red accents that were inspired by the red-trimmed glovebox from the original car. This time, however, there's no telescopic-sight rifle. Only 50 examples of the Aston Martin Her Majesty’s Secret Service DBS Superleggera special edition. Each owner will, get this, have the option to select a bespoke drink case. The retail price of the Her Majesty’s Secret Service DBS Superleggera special edition is set at £300,007 (roughly $379,000 USD). Deliveries will begin starting in Q4 2019. See All Aston Martin DBS Superleggeras for Sale

By Andrew Nabors – May 14, 2019

Aston Martin Rapide E Stuns Spectators in Monaco

Formula E has racing is dominated by the latest in electric technology, so many manufacturers have used the races to showcase their latest models. Such was the case on Saturday, as the Aston Martin Rapide E stunned spectators in Monaco. In their latest press release, we learned that Aston Martin works driver Darren Turner was behind the wheel. Winning LeMans three times gives him the confidence to push this 600 horsepower sedan to its limits. Instead of the traditional V12, you will find a an 800v battery pack. It powers twin rear motors to deliver 700 lb-ft of torque. The capacity of 65 kWh is comparable to the base model Tesla Model S 60, which operates at only 375 volts. Perhaps Aston Martin will have a competitive range thanks to the higher voltage, we will find out when production begins later this year. Only 155 examples will be built, so tell us how much you would pay to have one of the final Rapides in the comments below. Browse Aston Martin Rapide For Sale Related: Aston Martin Rapide E Unveiled at Auto Shanghai Rapide E: Aston Martin's First Electric Car

By Andrew Nabors – May 01, 2019

Aston Martin Vantage AMR is a 7-Speed Supercar

Aston Martin and ZF have collaborated to built the best 8-speed automatic, but some of us need total control. If you need three pedals and a rewarding experience, the new Aston Martin Vantage AMR is a 7-Speed supercar. We learned that 200 examples will be produced, with 59 cars slated to be the "Vantage 59" edition. They scheduled the reveal ahead of the 6-hour race at Spa-Francorchamps. Taking inspiration from the Vantage GTE race car, the Vantage AMR is 210 lbs lighter. European drivers will enjoy the dogleg 1st gear. It placed 2nd and 3rd opposite each other in the first gate of the shifter. You won't need first gear very often, because the 4.0L twin turbo V8 offers 503 horsepower and 461 lb-ft of torque. All of the torque is available between 2,000 and 5,000 rpm. You will reach 60 mph in 3.9 seconds with a top speed of 195 mph. The limited-slip differential was tuned at Silverstone to offer amazing grip on the track. Aside from the 59 examples of the Vantage 59, the remaining 141 cars will be offered in Sabiro Blue, Onyx Black, China Grey or White Stone. The MSRP in the U.S. has been set at $204,995, and it will quickly sell out on a first-come-first-served basis. Don't miss this opportunity, click the link below to find our dealer near you and get ready to enjoy driving again. Find Your Aston Martin Vantage Here Related: Aston Martin DBS 59 Unveiled to Showcase Racing Heritage Aston Martin Vantage V12 Zagato Twins Resurrected

By Andrew Nabors – April 29, 2019

Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Volante Configurator is live

Before you assume we built another black and red car, we are not always stuck to our corporate colors. Because Aston Martin color sands and buffs each car to a brilliant shine, we browsed their normal paints for something that would show epic orange peel on a lesser brand. I will show you all the tips and tricks now that the Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Volante configurator is live. Their standard colors are known as the "AM Palette" these were uninspiring for such a stunning design, so we chose to go with their "Q Palette". Anything done by Q carries a cost factor since it is their custom shop, but go big or go home. We chose Zaffre Blue because is has just the right metallic for a sunset ride down the beach. Two choices of carbon fiber are gloss and black tinted. Black covers the book-matched weave of the carbon, so we chose the traditional finish. Next up was a choice of smoked or red taillights. Red is nothing special, but the smoked lenses are clear with red LEDs behind them, and it provides a nice contrast. The next questions involved carbon fiber or mesh for the hood and side louvers...Mesh, really? Of course we went carbon! It went the same way for the mirrors, windshield surround and the door handles. They offer 8 colors for the cloth top, and black was too simple. A unique weave of black & silver almost shines, and it will keep the heat out in the Summer. Five choices of 21" wheels have three shades of 10-spoke and two lightweight twin-spoke designs. Lighter wheels equal a softer ride, so we chose the matte black set with matching center caps and calipers. Aston Martin Unveils the DBS Superleggera Volante Carbon Fiber Badge Pack 3 is the highest level offered, and it included the hood emblem, trunk, DBS script & Superleggera in carbon fiber. Everything under the hood can be left black, but we opted for the carbon fiber engine cover and gold heat insulation. Gold can be found on the engine plaque, oil filler cap, hood, and the dipstick handle. Moving inside, you can choose from all-Alcantara, monotone leather, duo tone leather, or "Q Environment". The last one unlocks a series of custom touches, so why not? Maltese Blue is the primary color, and it is offset by Light Argento Metallic contrasts. The choice between tri-axial and geode quilting can be tough, but the former reminds us of Epcot's Spaceship Earth. Bang & Olufsen audio and machined carbon fiber make for a nice cockpit, and we chose the heated GT steering wheel instead of the aggressive sports wheel. Options we would have liked to see were performance exhaust and cast iron rotors, but Aston Martin does not compromise on performance or civility. Tell us how you would build yours in the comments below, and click the link to order yours now. Find Your Aston Martin DBS Here " width="680"> Related: Aston Martin Volante Vision in Action Aston Martin DBS GT Zagato Previewed

Aston Martin News

duPont REGISTRY News

duPont REGISTRY Group

Support

Subscribe