The mantle of “world’s most famous car” is a heavy one indeed. But if any single automobile ever created deserved the honorific, surely it’s the 1964 Aston Martin DB5 used on-screen in the production of the iconic 007 films Goldfinger and Thunderball. And in case you were disappointed at having missed the opportunity to get your hands on one of the stunt cars, the real thing is now up for grabs in London, where RM and Sotheby’s will be auctioning it off to the highest bidder.

The car in question was prepared by Aston Martin for use in the Bond films. After that it went back to the manufacturer, which then sold it to radio host and philanthropist Jerry Lee, who’s been holding onto it for the past 40+ years. In pursuit of his charitable work, Lee is finally putting the car up for sale, with bids expecting to top $5 million when it goes under the hammer on October 27.

One of only two made and the only one still in existence, the custom DB5 comes packed with all the extras the Q-Branch installed for Bond’s use, from the revolving license plates and tracking device to the oil slick dispenser and smoke screen. You can check out all the details in the press release after the jump, along with the 100+ high-resolution image gallery that very well might be the largest we’ve ever compiled. Oh, and do be careful, Bond.

WORLD’S MOST FAMOUS CAR COMES TO MARKET FOR FIRST TIME IN HISTORY

James Bond’s actual Aston Martin DB5 as driven by Sean Connery in Goldfinger and Thunderball to be auctioned by world’s largest collector car auction house, 27th October in London, UK

LONDON (1 June, 2010) − PAY ATTENTION, BOND FANS! RM Auctions announces the consignment of one of the most significant cultural icons of the 20th century – the 1964 Aston Martin DB5 James Bond movie car – to its annual ‘Automobiles of London’ event at the Battersea Evolution in London on 27th October, where it is available for sale for the first time in history and expected to achieve in excess of $5 million. The car is being offered by RM in association with Sotheby’s, with whom RM has worked in the past.

Well-known around the world by its original UK registration number, FMP 7B, this Aston Martin is one of only two, and the sole remaining, of the original ‘007′ DB5s as featured on screen with Sean Connery behind the wheel in the enormously popular Goldfinger and Thunberball movies. With its ‘rather interesting modifications’ originally conceived by Oscar-award-winning special effects expert, John Stears, this authentic Bond movie car is factory-fitted with the full complement of operational ‘Q-Branch’ gadgets, including machine guns, bullet-proof shield, revolving number plates, , tracking device, removable roof panel, oil slick sprayer, nail spreader and smoke screen, all controlled from factory installed toggles and switches hidden in the center arm-rest.

“Like ‘Q’ , we never joke about our work, which is why RM is consistently entrusted with the sale of the world’s most significant collector cars like the REAL 007 Aston Martin DB5 movie car,” said Max Girardo, Managing Director, RM Europe. “RM is known for world-record-setting results and we expect nothing less for 007’s iconic DB5.”

The DB5 was originally loaned to EON Productions for the filming of the two Bond movies, and returned to the Aston Martin Lagonda factory after its subsequent promotional tour. Mr. Jerry Lee, an American radio broadcaster based in Philadelphia, PA, convinced the factory to sell FMP 7B to him for $12,000 in 1969, thereby becoming its first and only ex-factory owner. It has remained in his possession and has rarely been seen publicly over the past 40+ years.

Mr. Lee plans to use the proceeds from the sale of FMP 7B to further the charitable work of The Jerry Lee Foundation, a multi-national initiative dedicated to solving social problems associated with poverty, with an emphasis on crime prevention. The Foundation supports programs at the University of Pennsylvania and Cambridge University (UK), as well as in Australia, Norway and Washington, DC. It is also responsible for the establishment of the Stockholm Prize in Criminology, for which Mr. Lee received a Swedish knighthood in 2008. (http://jerryleefoundation.com/)

“The James Bond car has brought me much enjoyment for some 40 years,” said Jerry Lee. “Even as I sell it and use the proceeds to fund the Jerry Lee Foundation, the car will continue to give me great pleasure as it furthers the mission of the Foundation to do good around the world.”

Today, FMP 7B is presented in highly original condition and recently underwent a careful re-commissioning program by RM Auto Restoration, returning it to running condition after the many years of static display in Mr. Lee’s home.

In advance of its auction debut at RM’s Automobiles of London sale on 27 October, the car is set to make its first 21st century public appearance at the Bond-themed Midsummer Classic/Thunderball concours and black-tie reception scheduled for 26 June at the Stoke Park Club located outside of London. Bond fans will recognize the Stoke Park Club as the site of the first confrontation between 007 and Mr. Goldfinger. For event and ticket information, visit: http://www.midsummerclassic.co.uk/

[Source:Autoblog]

If you have the money, influence and inherent coolness to purchase one of the 77 Aston Martin One-77 super mega cars, it would be a good idea to put in your order as soon as humanly possible. That’s because while a limited run of 77 vehicles makes for a very exclusive exotic car club, one buyer may have made it even harder to join the sacred One-77 fraternity.

The Times of London reports that one buyer, believed to be of Middle-Eastern descent, has purchased 10 of the 77 super Astons. The buyer is reportedly picking up 13 percent of one of the rarest new rides on the planet, but the models will each be differentiated by color and interior trim.

The folks at Aston Martin aren’t spilling the beans on who the buyer could be, so this One-77-hoarding mad man lucky dog looks to be shucking the spotlight, at least for now. The total price for the 10 One-77s is $17 million, but now that the market for the most exotic of Astons has just shrunk by 10 units, we’re thinking that the secret owner’s collection could make all the 7.3-liter V12-powered One-77s more valuable. Thanks for the tip, David!

[Source:Autoblog]

Aston Martin has finally answering your prayers… assuming that you, like us, have been offering up daily supplications asking that the crew from Graydon to send over its V12 Vantage to those of us living in the good ol’ United States of America.

Specs? Here goes: 6.0-liter V12 engine producing 510 horsepower, and 420 pound-feet of torque with a top speed of 190 mph and a 0-62 mph time of 4.2 seconds. Not bad. But Aston is also claiming that its newly muscled Vantage is also “our most agile model with our most powerful engine,” adding that it “represents the definitive Aston Martin driving experience.”

According to the automaker, some subtle changes were necessary to the structure of the car in order for it to meet North and South American regulations. In addition to these enhancements, Aston has also announced that it will be adding a new Carbon Black version of the V12 Vantage exclusively for the American market.

Included in the dark and sinister makeover will be “a bespoke Carbon Black metallic paint with a subtle metallic twist to create a deep rich patina; painstakingly created through a hand painting process taking 50 man hours.” Further, the side strake will be fashioned from carbon fiber, wheels will be gloss black 10-spoke diamond-turned alloys and a bright finished grille will be featured up front.

Inside, you’ll see plenty of Obsidian Black leather highlighted with contrasting hand stitching in silver. Piano black interior trim will join black tread plates and unique sill plaques, and a 700w Premium Audio System will be standard equipment. Ordering begins right about now and initial deliveries are slated for fourth quarter of 2010. Want to know more? Check out our high-res image gallery below and then hit the jump for the press release.

Aston Martin V12 Vantage Confirmed for the Americas

* Aston Martin’s most exhilarating sports car comes to the North and South American market in an exclusive production run
* Fastest and most agile Vantage ever; ultimate performance interpretation of the Vantage range
* Purposeful, striking and functional styling signalling performance capabilities
* Available as a limited Carbon Black special edition from launch

Gaydon, 7 May 2010 - In response to unprecedented customer demand, Aston Martin has confirmed that the V12 Vantage – the most potent production sports car in the marque’s 96-year history - will be made available in North and South America from later this year.

Based on the hugely successful V8 Vantage, the V12 Vantage features a 6.0 litre V12 engine producing 510 bhp (380 kW / 517 PS), and 420 lb ft (570 Nm) of torque with a top speed of 190 mph (305 km/h) and a 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) time of 4.2 seconds.

Originally launched in 2009, the V12 Vantage has quickly established itself as a firm favourite with enthusiasts and media observers alike, winning a series of accolades and praise around the world and proving a huge sales success for the British marque.

Aston Martin Chief Executive Officer, Dr Ulrich Bez said: “This is the ultimate performance interpretation of the Vantage range, combining our most agile model with our most powerful engine. It represents the definitive Aston Martin driving experience; providing spectacular performance to ensure a dynamically thrilling drive in a highly exclusive package.”

Although the originally small anticipated level of demand from the Americas meant that the car would not be homologated for the market, unprecedented demand from customers prompted an engineering study into potential feasibility; with the strict brief that any changes could not impact on the overall design of the car. Now just six months later, a series of engineering refinements have been introduced to satisfy the specific requirements of the American market.

Benefiting from the modular nature of the VH architecture, the Aston Martin engineering team were able to review the virtual and physical testing data for all modern era Aston Martins. Following this study a detailed Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) analysis resulted in the development of an alternative load transfer path, incorporating an innovative version of the structure at the front of the car, which now satisfies North and South American requirements.

Aston Martin Chief Commercial Officer, Michael van der Sande commented: “We are very pleased to be able to respond to customer demand and launch this car in the Americas – still our biggest market globally.

“This illustrates one of Aston Martin’s key strengths – the ability to act quickly and turn concepts and ideas into reality, giving our customers what they want.”

For launch in the Americas, the Aston Martin V12 Vantage will also be available in a highly desirable and strictly limited Carbon Black special edition.

This new special edition adds a typically understated flair to V12 Vantage. On the exterior, the car features a bespoke Carbon Black metallic paint with a subtle metallic twist to create a deep rich patina; painstakingly created through a hand painting process taking 50 man hours. The iconic Aston Martin side strake has been fashioned from real carbon fibre backed by a black mesh and complimented with gloss black 10 spoke diamond turned alloy wheels. A bright finished grille and front parking sensors (normally an option) complete the exterior detailing.

Inside, owners will be greeted to swathes of Obsidian Black leather highlighted with a contrast silver coarse stitch all hand stitched by the craftspeople at Gaydon – Aston Martin’s global headquarters in England. Also featured are a Piano black facia trim, centre stack and centre console, anodised black tread plates and unique sill plaques build on the carbon theme. The normally optional Aston Martin 700w Premium Audio System is delivered as standard equipment.

Designed for the focused driver, every component of the V12 Vantage has been honed with pure driving enjoyment in mind. Benefiting from race-developed materials and components; performance and agility have been tuned to perfection.

The latest incarnation of the Vantage family has been designed to provide a unique character, appealing to different driver tastes and complementing the other models in the current Aston Martin line-up.
Visually enticing, the V12 Vantage expresses its performance potential through its purposeful stance created by enhanced aerodynamic and cooling aids optically widening the car, while retaining traditional understated Aston Martin design. Equally inviting, the cosseting interior permits the driver to extract maximum performance ability from the car while also enjoying customary levels of Aston Martin comfort on longer journeys. High levels of power and torque are available at all engine speeds making the V12 Vantage responsive and tractable in any driving situation.

The V12 Vantage is as at home on the track as it is on the road; last year as the final engineering durability test for the car, a near-standard specification V12 Vantage competed in the gruelling Nürburgring 24-hour race driving to a class victory at the hands representatives from the company’s engineering team, including CEO Dr Ulrich Bez. A similar V12 Vantage is set to compete in the 2010 race on 15/16 May.

The V12 Vantage is built at Aston Martin’s global headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire joining the DBS, DB9 and V8 Vantage model lines which are built in the state-of-the-art production facility combining hi-tech manufacturing processes with traditional hand-craftsmanship.

The V12 Vantage is available to order now and deliveries to the Americas are expected to commence during quarter four 2010 with prices to be confirmed in the coming weeks.

[Source:Autoblog]

Some of you might remember Ugur Sahin. He’s a designer that we’ve featured before, specializing in grand touring cars that make our mouths water. Starting with already beautiful designs, he somehow manages to make shapely Chevrolet Corvettes and Ferraris look even better. From the Corvette Z03 to the Ferrari Dino and Ferrari-599-based USD GT-S Passionata, he’s created some of the most exotic and graceful shapes we’ve ever had the pleasure to lay eyes on.

The latest automaker to earn Sahin’s attention is Aston Martin. His latest design, the Gauntlet, blends some of our favorite design cues into a wholly unique package that’s simultaneously sensual and brutal. Study the images and you might see a bit of One-77 in the mix, along with a dash of DB AR1, or perhaps you are carried back to the old DB3S, a car that Ugur mentions specifically as inspiration for the Gauntlet.

There’s also some Maserati GranTurismo mixed with a little Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione as well, but we’re definitely not complaining. It’s a terrific design that has us wishing that Aston is looking at Sahin’s designs for the next DBS and V12 Vantage. For those who still lament the loss of the Vanquish, with its broad shoulders and studly swagger, this might be the car for you. It’s definitely earned a spot in our dream car garage.

You can read more of his thoughts on the project after the jump, and be sure not to miss the huge high-res gallery of pics below.

Presenting Aston Martin Concept Design Study GAUNTLET

The main goal of the Aston Martin Gauntlet Concept was to design a car which is technically almost identical to the existing production Aston Martins while defining a design character that outmost respects the impressive history of the brand and combine the timeless lines of the past Aston Martins with the modern interpretation of the existing styling.

This meant finding the coherent balance between past and the future without overlapping each other to fit the taste of today’s design definitions. Too much of the past would look “Retro” while too much of the “Future” would look unrealistic.
I believe that Gauntlet matches these two worlds exactly without exaggerating.

The familiar Aston Martin proportions define the silhouette of the car while the rather aggressive looking headlights give her a sinister smile that excites you as you approach the front of the car.

Wide grille makes a strong impression and gives the car a unique character. As you approach the back, round and clean surfaces combined with the inherited taillight design complements the existing Aston Martin DNA. Classic icons from the brand’s history like Aston Martin DB3S in particular served itself as an inspiration for some of the proportions and surface interpretation like the high rear and front fenders which gives the car its imposing stance.

Subtle double exhausts combined with the honey comb structure above the diffuser add the car a modern impression. Small details like the side mirror, air outlets compliment the sporty characters while the line and surface structures of the sides profound its elegancy”. The name “Gauntlet” refers to the way lines and surfaces overlap or complement each other, not literally but rather emotionally. This visually suggests the feel of wearing a protective armor which its full power and potential is in control of the driver.

[Source:Autoblog]

If you’ve been waiting patiently – even not so patiently – to get your hands on the new Carbon Black edition of the Aston Martin DBS, you’ll still have to wait until the summer to take delivery. Oh, and a trunk full of hundred-dollar bills. But if all you want is to catch a glimpse, we’ve got good news for you. Because no matter where you are in the continental United States, chances are there’s a DBS Carbon coming to a city near you.

In a special demonstration organized by Aston’s exclusive audio partner Bang & Olufsen – which furnishes the 13-speaker, 1000-watt sound system in the DBS – a pair of the special Carbon Black editions will be touring America. Along their route, they’ll be hitting New York, Washington, Miami, Dallas, Chicago, San Francisco and LA. So unless you live in Oregon, you’re covered.

If you do swing by a local Aston dealer when the Carbon Black editions are in town, you’ll see a pair of DBS coupes with a special-process black flick paint and an interior with carbon-Kevlar seats covered in black leather with silver stitching, along with special wheels and badging.

[Source:Autoblog]

Are hybrid drivetrains befitting of a premium luxury and performance brand? Well, that depends on who you ask. According to such diverse automakers as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar, Rolls-Royce and even Ferrari and Lamborghini, the answer is ‘yes’. Aston Martin CEO Dr. Ulrich Bez, though, reportedly believes otherwise. “The current hybrid technologies are not suited to the character of Aston Martin sports cars,” explains Bez.

We’re not so sure we agree, especially since Aston’s long-planned Lagonda revival – which may or may not come wrapped in an ungainly SUV package – is rumored to be equipped with a hybrid powertrain. After all, the torque-rich nature of electric motors certainly wouldn’t be a bad thing for a luxury tourer.

A few branches up on the green tree, Aston Martin’s tiny Toyota iQ-based Cygnet minicar could quite possibly get a fully electric drivetrain, which would seem to make sense given that car’s stated mission as an urban runabout for those times when a V12 Vanquish could be considered overkill. Beautiful, sonorous, splendid overkill…

[Source:Autoblog]

Besides talking to the cute blond at the Audi booth, your Autobloggers spent the most time at this year’s Frankfurt show arguing in front of the Mansory booth. Why? Some of us simply loved the all carbon fiber Cyrus, while others thought reskinning an Aston Martin DB9 in unpainted CF wasn’t the best possible use of all that sci-fi plastic. Also (of course) there was the matte pink Vitesse Rose, which… no comment.

Anyhow, Mansory just released a plethora of images showing the world what the Cyrus looks like when it’s on the road. The naysayers among us will no doubt be forced to admit that the Cyrus does look better at speed, though we’re still quite anti- fake roof scoop, as well as the glued-on rear quarter panels. Is $600,000ish too much to spend on top of a DB9’s based price for all that baked plastic goodness? You be the judge.

[Source:Autoblog]

Reports from the British Isles and a new batch of images from the manufacturer indicate that Aston Martin has quietly prepared a few minor revisions for its entry-level V8 Vantage for the 2010 model year.

Among those changes are clear tail lamps (like those on the V12 version), side sills borrowed from the N400 edition and “magnum silver” mesh for the hood and side vents. There will also be some new optional equipment, including the ten-spoke, 19-inch forged, diamond-turned alloys pictured on the car above, carbon-Kevlar seats that trim 17kg off the curb weight, and a 1000-watt Bang & Olufsen stereo.

Along with the mild visual upgrades and the new optional equipment, Aston has cut the V8 engine’s carbon emissions, the manual-equipped model dropping from 328 g/km to 315 g/km, and the Sportshift model dropping to 300 g/km. The changes are applied equally to the coupe and Roadster, with order books reportedly open now with deliveries beginning early in the new year. Check out the updated model in our high-resolution image gallery below.

[Source:Autoblog]

Aston Martin is used to success. Its road cars are some of the most coveted in all of auto-dom, and its race cars have mastered Le Mans like Yo-Yo Ma has the cello. This year’s planned rebirth of Lagonda, however, didn’t go as well.

The oddball crossover concept that debuted at Geneva earlier this year was received with such ire that the company yanked it after the first day, before the public could ever see it… save through our camera lenses. So you can imagine the surprise when the Lagonda Concept popped up again on the Aston Martin media website, complete with a new batch of photos.

We’ve placed said photos of the Mercedes GL-based concept in the gallery below – complete with some very strange interior trim – for your browsing “pleasure,” if you can call it that. But we can’t help but wonder what Gaydon’s up to.

[Source:Autoblog]

A couple of days after announcing U.K. pricing for the the new Rapide, Aston Martin has now also priced the North American version of its slinky four-door. When Aston starts deliveries of its newest model next spring, U.S. customers will have to pony up a minimum of $199,950. Aston Martin dealers will doubtless provide clients with the opportunity to substantially elevate that price tag via costly personalization options. After all, when you’re dropping that kind of coin, you don’t want to see yourself coming and going all the time.

The Rapide will be the first Aston Martin produced outside of Great Britain once cars start rolling off the line in Graz, Austria. The special factory was set up in cooperation with Magna Steyr prior to the global financial collapse, back when the Gaydon factory that makes the other Astons was running at full capacity. In these post-meltdown days, the decision about where to produce the car may have been very different. If you have the means, your local dealer is taking orders now. Official press release available after the jump.

PRESS RELEASE

Aston Martin Announces Rapide Pricing for the United States

Irvine, 5th December 2009. As the eagerly awaited Aston Martin Rapide four-door sports car goes through final engineering and testing phases before being launched in early quarter two 2010, Aston Martin confirms US pricing.

The price of the Rapide will start from $199,950 in the US which features an impressive level of standard specification including: Bang & Olufsen Beosound audio system tailored specifically for Rapide, heated memory seats, dual cast brakes and Adaptive Damping System.

The Rapide is Aston Martin’s first production four-door sports car encapsulating the practicality of a car with extra doors and fusing it with the trademark sports car dynamics synonymous with modern Aston Martins.

Customer deliveries will commence in spring 2010, and it will be the first sports car to be hand-built at the Aston Martin Rapide Plant (AMRP) in Graz, Austria. The new 17,000 m2 building has been designed to reflect the quality levels established in Gaydon since 2003 permitting the fusion of modern technology, advanced manufacturing processes and handbuilt craftsmanship. Each Rapide will take approximately 220 man hours to build and will benefit from timeless craft skills just like the existing range: DBS, DB9, V12 and V8 Vantage do at Gaydon.

It is anticipated that +/- 2,000 Rapides will be built in the first year attracting a high proportion of new customers to the brand. Core to this trend is the mix of huge attention to detail throughout the car, ample accommodation for up to four adults and the spacious trunk while maintaining Rapide’s elegant beauty and sports car profile.

The Rapide is on sale now available to order from the Aston Martin dealership network across North America.

[Source:Autoblog]