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 – April 21, 2017

Aston-Martin Vanquish: By The Numbers

Who can forget those immortal words: “Now pay attention Bond, this is your Aston Martin.” They ended 007’s brief and over-commercialized flirtation with BMW and put him firmly back in his rightful place, behind the wheel of an Aston. That was 2001, the film ‘Die Another Day,’ and the car, the sensational big-V12 Aston Martin Vanquish. The hairy-chested Vanquish stayed in production until July 2007 when it was replaced by the slightly less testosterone-fueled DBS. While it looked cool, Daniel Craig got to debut it in ‘Casino Royale’ where it entered the Guinness Book of Records for the most body rolls - seven complete turns to be precise - the DBS was no Vanquish.Thankfully, after five years of production, the DBS has been laid to rest and the Vanquish name is back, in a successor that packs more raw power, more stretch-out cabin space and every body panel crafted from lightweight carbon fiber. A smidgen longer, taller and wider than the DBS, the Vanquish focuses on offering driver and passenger - two seats are standard, 2+2 an option - a fair bit more interior space. The seats now go back further, there are more elbow room and headroom, and there’s now space in the trunk to carry more than a Walther PPK. Powering this new Aston flagship is a heavily re-worked version of the Cosworth-designed 6.0-liter V-12. A revised block, new cylinder heads, bigger throttle bodies and dual variable valve timing conjures up an extra 50 ponies taking max power up to 565 hp. Torque also increases too, from 420 lb-ft to 457 lb-ft. Using a new motorsport-derived launch-control program - a first for an Aston Martin - this new Vanquish should cover the 0-to-60 mph dash in around 4.0 seconds. That’s a biggish improvement on the DBS’s 4.3 second time.If there’s a challenge for this new Vanquish, it’s that the supercar world has moved on in just the past few months. Ferrari raised the bar with its brand new, blunt-instrument F12berlinetta with its massive 730 hp punch. Even Chrysler’s new Viper, while not a real rival, will deliver a wild 650 hp. Add to that, purists are not going to like the fact that the new Vanquish won’t be offering a manual transmission like the old DBS, leaving it to a six-speed ZF automatic to do the shifting. And while this new Vanquish, which goes on sale in early 2013, undoubtedly looks breathtaking, is it really that much different from the old DBS, which looked a lot like the DB9, which looks pretty similar to the Virage? You could argue that Aston designers are becoming as ideas-starved as the guys who design Porsche’s 911. Yes, that wild lower splitter at the front will turn heads as will those big, blistered arches over the wheels. But only the cognoscenti are likely to see it as something other than another DBS Carbon Black-like limited edition. A true Vanquish deserves more than that. More shaken, less stirred.LIST PRICE: $279,995ENGINE: 6.0-liter V-12HORSEPOWER: 565 hp @ 6,750 rpmTORQUE: 457 lb-ft @ 5,500 rpmTRANSMISSION: 6-speed automatic0–60: 4.0 secondsTOP SPEED: 183 mphWEIGHT: 3,613 lbsLENGTH: 184.7 inchesTIRES: Front: 255/35- 20, Rear: 305/30-20PRO007, your new Aston Martin awaitsCONHe may not recognize itfrom his old DBS

By Andrew Nabors – November 23, 2016

Why You Should Buy an Aston Martin DB11

Why to Buy an Aston Martin DB11Change is the only constant in the world of luxury coupes, but some models have stood the test of time. As the successor to the Aston Martin DB9, the new DB11 has big shoes to fill. If you are wondering what happened to the DB10, the name was dropped from consideration due to the fundamental differences in the models. DB9 was the car that brought Aston Martin into the modern era. But customer expectations and automotive technology have seen major advances since 2004. With new owners in private equity and a 5% stake from Daimler, it was time to shed the compromises of the old design and develop a new car from the ground up. A clean-sheet redesign is one of the most expensive undertakings in the automotive world, but it lays the groundwork for decades of innovation.This is why you should buy an Aston Martin DB11. Aston Martin DB11 For SaleStarting at the drawing board, Aston Martin have changed the way they build automobiles. Aston Martin has long been hesitant to adopt new construction methods for fear of losing the quality of a hand-built car. The new car is still mostly aluminum, but the compromises of the dated VH chassis are gone. Instead of riveted components, the new structure consists of laser cut panels that are bonded together at every edge. This allows for more cockpit room and a much stronger unibody. Since the car is stronger, the spring rates are more relaxed for a much softer ride. I had an opportunity to get behind the wheel last weekend for the Nashville Auto Show, without having to buy an Aston Martin DB11, as our friends at Music City Motorcars tossed me the keys.Your first jaw-dropping moment when you buy an Aston Martin DB11 will be when you notive the quality of the interior. No details were overlooked, as the leather and machined metals are crafted into a work of art. Almost every surface is covered in seams of perfectly sewn hides. The pattern of the seats is book matched down the center line of the cockpit, it's almost too beautiful to sit in. Gone is the ancient interface, replaced by Mercedes infotainment and control systems. While other cars are embracing small V8 engines in the name of fuel economy, Aston Martin have added two turbochargers to an a new 5.2L V12. The previous powerplant was naturally aspirated and essentially two Ford Duratec V6 engines in close proximity. You can't deny its power or longevity, but 1996 technology can only go so far.The new engine makes 600 hp at 6,500 rpm along with 516 lb-ft of torque.Shifting is handled by a ZF 8 speed automatic that uses a traditional torque converter. Remember when dual clutch transmissions were supposed to take over the world? Their weight and complexity are daunting challenges and the brutal shifts can add stress to your drive. The DB11 shifts quickly with a gentle indication while cruising, but it rips through the gears with brutal precision under full throttle.Turn in and braking are unlike any Aston Martin before it, and we hope this level of engineering and quality will find its way into their other models. Development of this car took longer than expected because they wanted to get it right, and if my weekend excursion is any preview of what is to come, we're excited to be able to sell such amazing automobiles. And that's why you should buy an Aston Martin DB11.All Aston Martin DB11 For Sale

By Edward Jones – November 21, 2016

Aston Martin Racing Does Incredible Mannequin Challenge

The new Mannequin Challenge is taking the world by storm, just like the Harlem Shake did back in the day. While the hype for this new trend is strong right now, it will eventually die out just like ones before it. But for now, we get to enjoy the videos featuring eerily still people in random situations.(Related - 2018 Aston Martin Vantage's New Engine Heard for First Time)The one Mannequin Challenge that actually surprised me was the one created by Aston Martin Racing. During the Dia World Endurance Championship's 6 Hours of Bahrain, the entire AMR team got together for a spectacular video. From the pit crew to the engineers, they are all as still as a stone as the camera ventures through their paddock.Check out the video below and share your favorite Mannequin Challenge in the comments below!All Aston Martin For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – September 28, 2016

2017 Aston-Martin AM37 Revealed in Monaco

Earlier today, Aston-Martin took the wraps off their latest project. Working with Naval Architects at Mulder Design, the new AM37 offers the same style and luxury offered on the street along with two inboard engines. The base model has a top speed of 45 knots (51 mph) with your choice of Mercury diesel or gas engines. If you need to go faster, the AM37S is powered by twin Mercury 520 hp V8 engines. Taking inspiration from the Vulcan and One-77, the same carbon fiber DNA is woven into these new boats.(Related - Mercedes-Benz Style Introduces New Luxury Yacht: Arrow460-Granturismo) Only Aston Martin would offer a carbon fiber cockpit cover operated by your key fob. The perfect day cruiser, it arrives with a fridge and coffee maker along with a salt water flushing head. With the same attention to detail as their cars, the dash is carbon fiber and the controls are polished to a mirror shine. In a bit of historical irony, the top engine option from Mercury Marine is an 8.2 liter V8. Mercury based the design on Chevrolet's Big Block V8 from the Corvette, an American car that was named after a light & fast British warship. Stay with us for updates on pricing and availability.

By Andrew Nabors – July 26, 2016

Aston Martin Vulcan #11 of 24 Headed to Monterey

Limited production is an understatement when it comes to Aston Martin. Taking lessons learned on the One-77 project, only 24 Vulcans were built. Each one is a hand built statement of world dominance in motorsport. Built in compliance with FIA regulations, Vulcan is a track-only supercar. Without regard to emissions or noise restrictions, they have unlocked 820 hp from a 7.0L evolution of their classic V12.Almost every component of the interior and exterior is made of carbon fiber, including the driveshaft. It connects the engine to a rear mounted transmission, running in a sealed magnesium torque tube. The F1 inspired steering wheel has controls for pit road speed limits along with ABS and stability controls. Turning to the best suppliers in racing, Cosworth supplied the instrumentation, engine controls, and data acquisition. Bosch supplied the ABS system with 11 distinct driver-selected modes. The side exit exhaust is made of Titanium and Inconel which is dumped just ahead of the 12.5" wide rear tires. You probably won't ever see one in person, so stay tuned for our coverage from Monterey.Vulcan #11 is offered by Mecum Auctions and will be available at the Monterey event located at Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa in gorgeous Monterey, California on August 18-20, 2016 as Lot S99. Click here to learn more. This car is going to be a primetime main attraction, so be sure to tune into CNBC between 12-4 PST to see it cross the block. Or better yet, why don't you just head out to Monterey and buy it for yourself!Learn More

By Andrew Nabors – July 19, 2016

Jaw-Dropping Aston Martin Vulcan Sounds and Burnouts

To say that Aston Martin's Vulcan can spin its tires is an understatement. In the best footage of the supercar we have seen so far, the Vulcan was fitted with racing rubber to attack the Goodwood hill climb. Uploaded earlier today by Marchettino, the 7.0L V12 sounds like nothing else on earth. Since the Vulcan was never intended to be street legal, the engine and exhaust are unencumbered by noise or emissions regulations.(Also Watch - Aston Martin DB11 Chases Down Vulcan)Every time we watch a new Vulcan video we find something else to love about the car. Vulcan's composites are crafted by Multimatic, the same wizards responsible for the new Ford GT. Not only are the intakes, heat extractors, and cam covers made of the wonder material; but every component is mirror imaged down the center of the body. Also, this is the best view of the taillights in action, and its as close as most of us will ever be. The 800hp supercar spins completely through 1st and chirps 2nd gear for Queen and Country. The exhaust audio is just as stunning as the visual, so turn up the volume and watch the tires become part of the atmosphere.View Vulcans For Sale

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – June 30, 2016

Aston Martin DB11 Chases Down Vulcan

The ultimate track car, the Aston Martin Vulcan, made its way up the 2016 Goodwood Festival of Speed Hillclimb, twisting and turning through the track. One wouldn't expect this supercar with 800 bhp to be easily followed by anything street legal, but a video posted by Goodwood Road & Racing proves otherwise. As you watch the Vulcan make its way through the winding streets, you might be surprised to find the Aston Martin DB11 (which pumps out 600 hp) creeping up from behind. In fact, had the Festival of Speed Hillclimb been a little wider, the Vulcan might have found itself neck in neck with the DB11.Check out the full video below.Aston DB11 for Sale

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – June 24, 2016

Meet the Pinnacle Aston Martin: The Vantage GT12 Roadster

Every now and then, someone comes along with an idea that could make an already superb object even better. The Aston Martin Vantage GT12 Coupe is already a superior vehicle marked with luxury and performance. But, Aston Martin's customers---one in particular--- had a vision for something more.Q by Aston Martin was commissioned to take the Vantage GT12 Coupe and convert it into a roadster, giving the already extreme vehicle another notch of excellence. From start to finish, the Vantage GT12 Roadster was completed within nine months and delivered to its excited new owner. Q by Aston Martin didn't stop at the open-top though. New features on the one-off vehicle include a seven-speed Sportshift III paddle-shift transmission and an exclusive 591 hp 6.0-liter naturally aspirated V12.Additionally, the exterior is fitted with carbon-fiber body panels, bespoke paint and trim. The suspension setup is also one of a kind, "defined by Aston Martin's in-house dynamics experts," which is designed to ensure the performance of the Vantage GT12 Roadster matches that of the Coupe.The project marks the first time a customer was able to completely customize a vehicle from trim to engine thanks to Q by Aston Martin. A service originally set up to help customers customize key cosmetic features, Q by Aston Martin has expanded and adapted to the growing requests of the client base. As stated by Aston Martin's President and CEO:“The Vantage GT12 Roadster is a hugely exciting project. Not just because it’s sensational to look at, but because it vividly demonstrates the expanded capabilities of Q by Aston Martin. By incorporating the exceptional engineering capabilities of Aston Martin Advanced Operations within the Q by Aston Martin bespoke commissioning service we have a truly formidable creative team.” Aston Martin Vantages for Sale

By Edward Jones – June 07, 2016

Koenigsegg One:1 vs Aston Martin Vulcan vs...Clones?

There's no denying the fact that both the Koenigsegg One:1 and Aston Martin Vulcan are two of the most extreme vehicles in existence right now. One comes from England and has a massive 7.0-liter V12 powering it. The other has a twin-turbo 5.0-liter V8 engine that's good for 1,340 hp. Each are incredible in their own rights and will be the stars at every auto show they attend for decades to come.This is what makes Castrol EDGE's latest video so interesting. "What happens when you take two world class supercar drivers and clone them." Coined as the trailer for an upcoming "Clone Rival" video, we see both the One:1 and Vulcan going head to head on a race track. While they're pushing it around the corners, the video cuts to scenes of drivers racing on simulators in an indoor facility.(Related: Lamborghini Huracan vs McLaren 650S Spyder All-Out Street Drag Race)I'm not exactly sure what's going to happen in the full video, but I'm still excited. Click play below to see what's coming.Aston Martin Vulcan For Sale | Koenigseggs For Sale

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – April 15, 2016

Aston Martin DB11 Private Showing at Dimmitt Automotive

Over the weekend, Tampa Bay based dealership, Dimmitt Automotive debuted the Aston Martin DB11 in a private showing for their Aston Martin clients. According to the dealership, Aston Martin owners were invited to the dealership for an exclusive, sneak peak at the DB11. Attendees obtained a first-hand look at the DB11 in person, and many made reservations on the model.Just to recap, the Aston Martin DB11 is powered by a 5.2-liter twin-turbocharged V12 that boasts 600 bhp and rockets from 0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds. Aston Martin CEO states the DB11 is, "the absolute embodiment of what an Aston Martin should be" and the company has, "worked tirelessly to ensure that DB11 combines both exceptional design with the latest technology throughout.Aston Martin DB11 Specs Price: $211,995 MSRP Engine: 5.2-liter twin-turbocharged V12 Horsepower: 600 bhp Torque: 516 lb-ft 0–60: 3.9 seconds Transmission: 8-speed automatic ZF Dimmitt Automotive is currently taking preorders for the DB11 and you can put yours in by contacting Mark Tillman at 727-493-4602.View Dealer Inventory

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