News and Rumors

Category Archives: News and Rumors

The Rapide S is official (and it’s brutal!)

We’ve already seen spy shots of the new Rapide a couple of times, but now it’s official: the new Aston Martin Rapide S. And what a brutal beauty it is: Up until day, the big question was: would the new Rapide be a sportier “Rapide S” to be placed next to the regular Rapide, or would it just be a new “Rapide”, replacing the existing Rapide. Well, it turns out it is a bit of both. It is called the “Rapide S” and it will replace the old Rapide. I did not expect they would go this route, as it is not consistent with the naming of the Vantage and Vantage S models. Or… could this be sign that the regular Vantage (without the “S”) will soon be dropped, keeping just the Vantage S in the product line up. (Personally, I think this would be a good idea. IMO the regular Vantage has become quite obsolete with the arrival of the Vantage S, especially now they’re becoming more and more similar in both looks and performance.) Anyway, I digress… back to the Rapide S! What’s new in this Rapide v2.0?

Aston Martin talking with Daimler AG about engine development?

According to this morning’s Bloomberg post, Aston Martin is talking with Daimler AG “and other manufacturers” about jointly developing high-end engines and other electronic parts. Andrea Bonomi, Investindustrial’s chairman, said that they’re aiming to reach an agreement within 2 months. I’m all for it. More modern V8 and V12 engines are very welcome, if only to make them more fuel-efficient and to reduce CO2 emissions. Let’s hope they will also discuss creating a better automatic, preferably double-clutch gearbox (at the top of my wish list for future Astons).

Teaser video of what exactly?

The Aston Martin page on Facebook is currently teasing their fans with this preview video. It shows a red Vanquish being transported to some kind of harbor location, then put on a platform (to be lifted into the air?). What’s going on here? Should be revealed today (in a few hours).

400 Centenary Edition models

Aston Martin has just announced that to celebrate their 100-year anniversary, they will create 400 special Centenary Edition models, 100 each for the Vanquish, the DB9, the Rapide and the V8 Vantage. Today, the first Centenary Edition has been revealed: a very special Vanquish:

Happy New Year!

A Happy New Year to all Aston Martin fans! May the new year bring you many fun drives in beautiful Aston Martins. Of course, 2013 is also the year in which Aston Martin celebrates its 100-year anniversary, with many special events planned. The first of which is the 100th Birthday dinner at the Park Lane Hilton Hotel, London, at which 800 guests will attend, including yours truly. If you’re there too, come say hi. I am the big bald guy in the black tuxedo 🙂