Showing posts with label aston martin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label aston martin. Show all posts

Monday, February 11, 2008

Aston Martin And Mercedes Looking To Collaborate

It's hard to be an independent automaker in today's wild world. As an independent automaker Aston Martin is proving with the Rapide that it is trying to rebuild the British marque with plenty of good models to come. Surely such a small company cannot do much alone. For this reason Aston Martin is looking to collaborate with Mercedes.

Autocar reports that Aston and Mercedes could collaborate on various technologies, from sharing engines to producing all new models. Manufacturing parts such engines, climate control units, and electrical architectures individually would be costly, which is why a deal with Mercedes for this purpose would be just right.

The Aston engines still comes from its former parent Ford, and borrowing engines from Mercedes in the near future could help the automaker. It is interesting to see this legendary brand evolving independently through various ventures like this.

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Spy Shots: Aston Martin DBS Volante


The Aston Martin DBS convertible snapped while testing somewhere in the Sweden. Differing from its hardtopped sibling in only its roofline and side window profile.

The car will get to 100 KPH in just over four seconds, and will cost around $300,000.

Gallery: Aston Martin DBS Volante


Friday, January 18, 2008

Spy Shots: Aston Martin Rapide


Aston Martin is preparing to add the four-door Rapide to its production line-up. And things seem to be moving along nicely.

It looks like just a little has changed on the Rapide during its journey from concept to production car so far. Everything down to the flush door handles and 10 twin-spoke wheels appears to be identical.

Aston was anticipated to decide by year's end where the Rapide would be built. Although the company just moved to a new facility in Gaydon, the automaker was reportedly in discussions with a number of smaller contractors – including Pininfarina, Karmann, Magna-Steyr and Valmet – over potentially outsourcing the Rapide's manufacturing. As we already know, these private coachbuilders are all in dire need of the contract.

Confirmation that Aston would build the Rapide was one of the first things its new owners did after acquiring the company from Ford.

Gallery: Aston Martin Rapide Spy Shots