VIDEO: Aston Martin Rapide Sports Sedan Filmed in Kuwait

You never know when or where you're going to stumble upon a prototype model these days. This time some folks spotted a thinly disguised Aston Martin Rapide test car on the roads of Kuwait. Apparently the British automaker was performing hot climate tests on its forthcoming four-door sports sedan that is planned to get its first public outing at the Frankfurt motor show in September.

First seen at the 2006 Detroit auto show as a prototype model, the production Rapide is almost identical to the 196.9-inch-long concept study. Due to go on sale in the beginning of 2010, the Rapide is powered by a 6.0-liter V12 engine which is rated at 480HP, and linked to a six-speed ZF automatic transmission with Aston's Touchtronic control.

Via: es.Autoblog

Aston Martin DBS V12 Volante: Stunning New Photo Gallery Goes Live

Say you want about the DBS V12 Volante but in our book, Aston Martin's fastest-ever production convertible is a complete stunner. Revealed for the first time at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show this past March, the soft top variant of Aston's beefy DBS combines a beautifully sculptured body with a 6.0-liter V12 engine that punches out a hefty 510 horsepower and 570 Nm or 420 lb-ft of torque.

The 2+2 rear-wheel drive sports car tops out at 191mph or 307 km/h and completes the 0-100 km/h (62mph) sprint in just 4.3 seconds.

If you're among those very few that can actually afford the DBS Volante, Aston Martin gives you the choice of a six-speed manual gearbox that's mounted at the rear, or optionally, a 'lazy' six-speed Touchtronic automatic transmission.

But until you figure out a way to convince your wife that owning an Aston Martin is so much better that having your own house or if you stumble upon a fat inheritance, flick through our new high-res gallery of the DBS Volante and dream on.

Via: Autoblog.it , Source: Aston Martin

Aston Martin Cygnet: $30k - €25k Mini Based on the Toyota iQ and it's Official!

We know what you're thinking but you couldn't be more wrong; this is not some funky replica kit but an official concept for an Aston Martin mini car! The Cygnet is based on the Toyota iQ and it is expected to go on sale before the end of next year with an estimated base price somewhere around £20,000 or about $30,000 - €25,000. The initial plan is for the Cygnet to be offered only to current and future Aston Martin owners but a general release could follow at a later date.

"Now is the right time for Aston Martin to take this first bold step to embark on this special project - made possible with the support of an organisation of Toyota's stature and capability and the intelligent design and perfect city car package of the iQ," said Aston Martin Chief Executive, Dr Ulrich Bez.

The British automaker did not disclose any specific details, but from the official teaser shots released by Aston Martin it is evident that the Cygnet will feature a new skin while retaining the basic shape of Toyota's iQ citycar. Expect to see a new interior adorned with Aston Martin-esque details.

"Much work is still required, but I am confident that this project could become reality in the not too distant future," said Bez. "This concept - akin to an exclusive tender to a luxury yacht - will allow us to apply Aston Martin design language, craftsmanship and brand values to a completely new segment of the market."

There's no word on the powertrain options but it is believed that the Cygnet will be us the iQ's 1.33-liter four-cylinder petrol that makes 100HP at 6,000 rpm and peak torque of 125Nm at 4,400rpm. It is possible that Aston Martin's engineers will tweak the iQ's suspension and brake system.

"The offering of a 'Cygnet' with a DBS, DB9 or Vantage is a unique combination of opposites and a novel transport solution allowing intelligent and sensitive mobility on an exclusive and innovative level," Bez noted.

The Toyota iQ donor cars will be built in Japan and then shipped to Aston Martin's Gaydon factory in the UK where they will be transformed into Cygnets.

And you thought GM's badge engineering was ridiculous...

Aston Martin Rapide V12 Sport Sedan Poses Undisguised Again!

We don't know if Aston Martin is deliberately circulating uncamouflaged Rapide prototypes around parking lots with the hope that some alert car buff will snap a picture or two of the car and create a bit of buzz and excitement on the net before its official unveiling, but for the second time in a few days, we have yet another set of Rapide spy shots! In this case, a white-colored Rapide prototype was caught by Autogespot forum-member, 'Kim' hiding behind a large truck in the parking lot of a highway gas station.

And once again, the Rapide seems to be virtually camouflage-free. Not sure if the white finish works better for you than the previously scooped black colored prototype (click here for the photos), but we rather withhold our final judgment until we see the final production model.

Via: Autogespot (Photos: Kim)

Aston Martin Rapide Production Model Spied Undisguised in Parking Lot by Reader!

Who needs spy photographers like Hans Lehmann when you have readers like Car Magazine's Simon Gregg that stumbled upon Aston Martin's all-new Rapide sport sedan sitting in a parking lot without a single trace of camouflage! From what we gather, the test car must be one of the final prototype models of the four-door Aston that is scheduled to be officially revealed to the public at the Frankfurt motorshow in mid-September. The undisguised prototype is finished in a menacing black color with a contrasting red interior.

Poised to take on any top-notch sport sedan including the most powerful variants of the Porsche Panamera, the Rapide will be offered with a 6.0-liter V12 engine that churns out 470bhp and 600Nm of torque. Power will be driven to the rear wheels through a six-speed ZF automatic transmission with Aston's Touchtronic control.

The Rapide that will be built by Magna Steyr in Graz, will begin arriving at Aston Martin showrooms around the world in early 2010. As for prices don't expect anything lower than $200k.

Via: Car Magazine (Photos: Simon Gregg)

VIDEO: Aston Martin One-77 Walkaround and Interview with Dr. Ulrich Bez

We can't seem to get enough of Aston Martin's One-77 elite supercar that was introduced in its final prototype form at the Villa d'Este car show in Italy last April. Luckily for us, there's always fresh news about the ultimate British sportscar. In this latest video, Autocar's Steve Sutcliffe interviews Aston Martin's boss Dr. Ulrich Bez who not only walks us around the car but he also treats us to some highly addictive sounds by firing up the One-77's 750HP V12 engine. Hit the jump to watch the video.

Source: Autocar

The Name-plate's Bond: 007 License Plate up for Grabs

The ultimate James Bond number plate has been listed for sale at the UK's DVLA DVLA Personalised Registrations auction that gets underway on Wednesday, June 3. "A007 SPY" has a relatively low reserve of just £900 or about $1,480 US, so unless some dedicated 'Bond' fan decides to raise the stakes, don't be surprised if you see the 007 plate hanging on the front end of a more down to earth car than the Aston Martin Vanquish pictured above.

eBay Find: Jaguar XK Convertible Crossdressed as an Aston Martin

So what do you do when you have a salvageable Jaguar XK8 Convertible wreck in your hands? Well, you can either try to restore it to its previous condition as most people would or alternatively, create a whole different type of car like this eBay owner did. Thanks to the extended use of fiberglass, the XK8 denounces its wild-cat heritage and enters the 'fantastic' world of Aston Martin replicas with styling elements from the lone-gone Vanquish. Love the glued on steering wheel badge but think we'll pass on this one.

Link: eBay