The iconic British car maker’s new luxury GT has been sympathetically redesigned andpainstakingly re-engineered to reassert its position as the world’s most beautiful, and beautifully balanced, four-seat sports car.

Aside from the extensive design and engineering improvements, the luxurious new Rapide S – which replaces the outgoing Rapide in markets worldwide – is now even more refined thanks to a range of additions to the four-seater’s sumptuous interior.

Still instantly recognisable as an Aston Martin, of course, the new Rapide S now boasts an imposing and assertive new ‘face’, created by virtue of the impressive and striking new full grille.

Imbuing the new car with an even more sporting, forceful demeanour, the revised front end design is matched at the back by a striking new rear deck profile which includes a more pronounced boot lid ‘flip’. The aerodynamic and aesthetic upgrades both reinforce the sporting nature of new Rapide S and work to counteract lift at higher speeds.

Aston Martin Chief Executive Officer, Dr Ulrich Bez said: “The Rapide S is to me, without doubt, the most beautiful four-door sports car on the market today. This is, very clearly, the power of luxury in action.

“The car’s stunning visual appeal is now matched by a much more powerful and yet more efficient engine – our exceptional new AM11 V12 – which increases massively both the excitement and performance potential of the Rapide S.

“It is a four-door sports car that uniquely combines luxury, style and sporting excitement in Aston Martin’s most flexible and accommodating silhouette. Purity of proportion and exceptional elegance are mixed with truly sensational dynamic performance – this is the four-door sports car in its most versatile form and I am sure our customers around the world are going to love it!”

Engineered to excel

Changes under the new Rapide’s skin are comprehensive, with a version of the new AM11 naturally-aspirated 6.0-litre V12 powerplant delivering unprecedented power and improved in-gear acceleration.

Power from the new engine jumps significantly versus that of its predecessor: up by 17% or a massive 81 PS from 477 PS at 6,000 rpm to a now very substantial 558 PS at 6,750 rpm.

Peak torque increases, too, up from 600 Nm to 620 Nm at 5,000 rpm. Meanwhile an even more marked improvement in torque occurs lower down the rev range, as pulling power rises by more than 40 Nm between idle and 4,000 rpm with an additional 50 Nm available at 2,500 rpm.

Naturally, increases in power and torque lead to even swifter performance as befits a four-door sports car. New Rapide S shaves 0.3 seconds off its 0-62 mph time, which drops from the 5.2 seconds of the current car to just 4.9 seconds for the new model. Top speed climbs, meanwhile, to 190 mph.

The 5,935 cc naturally aspirated V12 boasts race car technology – developments derived directly from Aston Martin Racing’s successful WEC GT campaign – to maximise both performance and efficiency. The new AM11 engine thus boasts fully CNC machined combustion chambers and lighter, hollow, cam shafts.

Dual variable camshaft timing, knock sensing, even the fully catalysed stainless steel exhaust system – these are all engineering advances developed to preserve the V12’s position as a mainstay of the Aston Martin range.

The engine is now even more efficient, too. Despite the very significant increase in peak power and torque, the Rapide S is appreciably more economical than before. CO2 emissions drop by seven per cent – from 355 g/km to 332 g/km – while fuel economy now stands at 19.9 mpg on the official EU combined cycle.

A product of the latest generation of Aston Martin’s world-renowned VH engineering philosophy, which debuted in 2003, the new car of course benefits from many elements of the current Gen4 VH architecture.

The carefully conceived engineering changes continue as the new Rapide now offers even sharper agility and even quicker responses to driver input. The new AM11 engine – a key Gen4 component – has been lowered by 19 mm versus the position of the powerplant in the previous car, with a corresponding reduction in the sports car’s centre of gravity.

The changes also lead to a tangible improvement in front end turn-in – no mean feat for a car that was already acknowledged as a leader in dynamic performance.

Aston Martin engineers at the company’s global HQ in Gaydon have worked to revise the car’s dynamic stability control (DSC) in line with its significant increases in both power and torque.

As befits the more sporting nature of new Rapide S the car benefits from the latest Gen4 iteration of Aston Martin’s hi-tech Adaptive Damping System (ADS). The system now offers three distinct settings: ‘Normal’, ‘Sport’ and ‘Track’, with the character of each being tailored to the nature of Rapide S.

The ADS automatically alters the suspension settings to ensure the driver has high levels of control at all times, with the ability to respond quickly to different driving conditions. The different damping modes help to significantly broaden the character of the Rapide S, adapting its set-up to suit the driver’s precise requirements. Thus it can be a luxurious GT car in Normal mode with the capacity to morph into a more assertive sports car in Sport and Track modes.

The damper settings are determined by an electronic control unit which takes sensor readings from the car’s systems, including throttle position, brake position, steering wheel rotation and vehicle speed. This data establishes the prevailing driving conditions and the demands the driver is making on the car.

Head of Product Development at Aston Martin, Ian Minards, explains: “Growing the power in a luxury sports car is all very well, but maximising control and ‘usability’ of that increased power is, just as much, the engineers’ challenge.

“Balance, poise and control are the keys to a successful sports car and the dynamic improvements we have made with Rapide S showcase our efforts to make this not just the most beautiful, but also the most beautifully balanced, car in its class.”

He added: “Transmission calibration, ADS refinement, braking capability and engine output optimisation are among the many ‘ingredients’ which the team here at Gaydon have used to create a sports car of unerring quality and excitement.”

Meanwhile, as with the new DB9, the new Rapide S achieves compliance with the latest European pedestrian protection regulations courtesy of its innovative new front grille design.

The lowered engine, new bonnet, new front bumper construction and new grille combine to deliver a uniquely innovative approach to pedestrian impact protection.

The patent-pending design – which features a unique ‘keystone’ construction – enables the grille to move rearwards on impact, whilst the central and outboard chin stiffeners give rigidity to the lower structure and support achievement of the leg impact regulations. Cut-outs on the front wing catwalks contribute to the achievement of the headform regulation.

The solution means Aston Martin can remain true to its design ethos, and avoid the use of plastic grilles and nose cone bumpers that stretch up in front of the bonnet.

First class cabin

As luxurious as it is thrilling, the new car now boasts a host of new luxury- or sports-orientated options, allowing buyers to more precisely tailor the car to their specific style.

The new optional Carbon Exterior Pack, for instance, immediately dials up the Rapide’s sporting attitude. Front splitter, rear diffuser, mirror caps and rear lamp infills all fashioned from carbon fibre clearly signal the sporting nature of this 558 PS four-seater.

More pronounced luxury, on the other hand, comes from the new piano black interior pack that adds a deep, rich, mirror-like shine to the facia, transmission tunnel centre plate and door handles of the Rapide S. A darker surround in the instrument binnacle and steering wheel with black horn-push surround round off the pack’s sumptuous additions. Luxurious blend headlinings in either tan or grey emphasise the luxury still further inside.

As would be expected of a modern Aston Martin, handcrafting is the order of the day in the Rapide S with the standard-fit pure glass transmission selector switches in the centre console one small yet important example of the truly authentic, bespoke, nature of the car’s cabin.

However those with a desire for a more sporting ambience in their sports car will not be disappointed. Optional duotone perforated red and black leather makes its Aston Martin debut here – delivering a captivating visual combination that’s unique to the new Rapide S.

Luxury is enhanced by the removal of extraneous ‘noise’ and the enhancement of desirable ‘sound’ – a fine distinction but one that helps the new car deliver an aural experience like no other. Improved NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) characteristics are derived from the likes of the new bonnet lining and revised windscreen cowl.

Flexibility comes in the form of four seats – the rearmost two capable of accommodating adults in a uniquely sporting setting – while at the touch of a button the individual back seats fold down to almost triple the Aston Martin’s load space.

Options to further enhance the luxurious look and feel of the Rapide S include, subject to market, a reversing camera and twin screen rear seat entertainment system with wireless headphones, remote control and six-disc DVD changer.

Those seeking the ultimate in luxury and personalisation can also consider the ‘Q by Aston Martin’ service which offers uniquely-tailored options for individualisation. The Q service focuses on fashioning colour and materials with limitless boundaries precisely to customer choice and specification, enabling owners to give free rein to the creativity and indulge their desire for bespoke luxury.

The new Aston Martin Rapide S will be available to order through the brand’s 146 dealers worldwide next month with prices confirmed closer to the on-sale date.

Aston Martin is today revealing full details of the latest major enhancements to its iconic Sports GT car, the luxurious and potent DB9.

Appearing hot on the heels of the all-new Vanquish Super GT, the introduction of 13 Model Year DB9 gives the British luxury sports car maker the perfect opportunity to further enrich the appeal of its mainstay in the GT sector, with significant developments affecting styling inside and out, plus key changes under the new DB9’s classically beautiful ‘skin’.

The styling changes see DB9 adopt an even more lithe, fluid and pure form reminiscent of the outgoing Aston Martin Virage which ceases production with immediate effect. Taking a classic Aston Martin GT silhouette as its base, the new DB9 adds a more pronounced rear boot ‘flip’ to further enhance the aerodynamic performance of the car.

The exterior design of the DB9 communicates a powerfully assertive yet elegant character. The surfaces display taut lines and subtle muscular forms that point to the underlying power of this renowned Sports GT.

DB9 sits low and wide, visually ‘planting’ the car on the road, communicating a clearly athletic stance. The car’s inherent width is accentuated by the ‘light catcher’ feature which runs from the lower front bumper and continues along the sill of the car creating a chiselled, determined look.

Available from launch in either Coupe or Volante body styles, DB9 13MY clearly has a strong breadth of appeal.

Bi-xenon headlamps provide the car with a clear focus, while subtle feature lines run along and underneath the headlamps, visually widening the car.

A large lower front grille feeds air into the standard Carbon Ceramic Braking system, while the front splitter also serves to visually widen the car. For those DB9 buyers in search of an even more sporty appearance there is now a carbon fibre front splitter available as part of the exterior Carbon Pack.

Look a little closer and the true beauty of the DB9’s details becomes apparent. The front grille, for instance – inspired by the design of Aston Martin’s sold-out One-77 hypercar – features five horizontal vanes which are chamfered to create an aerofoil profile. Meanwhile the bonnet vents are authentic zinc with distinctive vanes. These, along with the new grille and pronounced side strakes, are classic Aston Martin design cues.

DB9 13MY also features Aston Martin’s integrated side strake and LED side-repeaters. The long strake accentuates the lean, long lines of the DB9’s nose. Once again, Aston Martin’s craftsmanship is clearly demonstrated in the use of metal grilles and clean lines of the polished metal castings.

At the rear of the car, the DB9’s wide track width and muscular rear haunches clearly communicate the power delivered at the rear wheels.

Inside, as out, the revised DB9 becomes yet more elegant and more luxurious. Unmistakably Aston Martin, the Sports GT’s opulently-appointed interior boasts authentic materials and the highest levels of attention to detail.

For instance, DB9 13MY comes with a stunning leather welt feature first seen on Virage. Inspired by luxury leather goods, the welts have been designed and developed by Aston Martin’s master craftsmen. Requiring meticulous levels of control to hand stitch and specially-developed manufacturing facilities, the welts are created by sandwiching a narrow strip of leather between two opposing leather seat panels, and fixed using precise stitching.

A further demonstration of Aston Martin’s renowned attention to detail and craftsmanship can be seen in the jewel-like glass switchgear used throughout the interior of the revised DB9. Details such as these glass switches clearly demonstrate the luxury sports car maker’s commitment to the use of authentic, high value materials.

Those DB9 buyers seeking an even more sporting ambience inside might be tempted by an additional interior option on DB9 13MY – Aston Martin’s lightweight seats. These are available when the 2+0 seating option is selected and use a state-of-the-art carbon fibre and Kevlar® composite structure.

When specified, the seats save 17kg per car as well as offering occupants more support at the shoulders. This improves comfort and reduces stress on the back during long stints of focused dynamic driving in particular.

Aston Martin Chief Executive Officer Dr Ulrich Bez said: “I am very excited to be unveiling the new DB9 now. My team here at Gaydon has been working hard for many months to improve and update key aspects of this superb Sports GT – the mainstay of our sports car range – and I believe the results to be exceptional.

“Aside from the undeniably beautiful exterior styling and now even more luxurious interior, there are many important and impressive engineering changes that demonstrate Aston Martin’s renowned ability to create compelling cars in the modern era.”

Engineering – great British innovation

This DB9 sees the introduction of the new generation AM11 V12 engine. The new V12 takes some of the ‘Gen4’ VH architecture hardware technology developed for Aston Martin’s forthcoming all-new super GT, the Vanquish, but has been tuned to suit the character of DB9. The result is an engine with effortless torque of up to 620 Nm and peak power of 517 PS – both significantly improved versus the outgoing unit.

Key features of the AM11 unit include a revised block and new head including dual variable valve timing, enlarged throttle bodies, uprated fuel pump, revised intake manifold and machined combustion chambers.

Meanwhile, DB9 13MY achieves compliance with the latest European pedestrian protection regulations and does so in a new way that is without any compromise to the exterior design of the car and does without the need for otherwise surplus deployable systems.

To accomplish this, Aston Martin’s designers and engineers have worked together to make significant changes to the underbody structure of the car including a lowered engine, new bonnet, front bumper construction and grille surround moulding.

Their resulting design is the subject of patent pending applications and enables the grille to move rearwards on impact, whilst the central and outboard chin stiffeners give rigidity to the lower structure and support achievement of the leg impact regulations. Cut-outs on the front wing catwalks contribute to the achievement of the headform regulation.

This means Aston Martin is able to avoid conventional solutions such as the use of plastic grilles and straightforward nose cone bumpers that stretch up in front of the bonnet. Instead, it has created a clever new and bespoke solution that preserves the unmistakable visual appeal of the VH architecture leading edge bonnet and its extruded aluminium grille.

Dr Bez said: “The new AM11 V12 engine together with our unique and patent pending solution for enhanced pedestrian protection – these are clear examples of the engineering excellence that continues to make Aston Martin the creator of the most desired and admired luxury sports cars in the world.”

Chassis – important upgrades all round

The DB9 13MY boasts a number of important enhancements over the outgoing car’s already impressive inventory. The braking system, for instance, now uses as standard Carbon Ceramic Matrix (CCM) discs and callipers supplied by acknowledged global brake experts Brembo.

While this DB9 offers a refined, comfortable sports GT driving experience, the new carbon brakes provide the confidence and reassurance of reduced brake fade when pressing the car to its sports capability.

CCM consists of a compound of carbon fibre which is impregnated with silicon, injected into a mould and baked at ultra-high temperature. The resulting material is not only much tougher than conventional cast iron discs but also dissipates heat more rapidly to provide reduced fading.

The brake rotors, (398mm diameter at the front, 360mm at the rear), are mounted onto the bespoke disc bells using a ‘floating disc’ system. This allows the discs to flex relative to their mountings thereby making them less prone to ‘judder’.

The discs are cross-drilled to help keep the brake pads clean while also helping to ensure that gases emitted by the pads during braking do not build up between the pad and disc surface. The holes also help to cool the surface of the pads and the discs themselves. Air intakes mounted behind the lower front grille also force feed air into the brake discs to aid cooling.

Saving around 12.5 kg versus a conventional cast iron system the DB9’s CCM brakes not only reduce overall vehicle weight but also mean that a better balance between ride comfort and handling can be struck. The lower rotational mass also gives improved acceleration, braking and steering feel.

The luxury sports car also boasts Aston Martin’s ‘Gen4’ VH architecture version of the brand’s Adaptive Damping System (ADS). This next generation ADS has been enhanced to include three modes: Normal, Sport and Track.

In ‘Normal’ mode, the damping is set to deliver the greatest ride comfort, with the electronically controlled dampers automatically adjusting to provide the optimum settings to suit driver input, speed and the road surface quality. In ‘Sport’ mode, the damping is set-up to be more focused at delivering sharper handling and control during dynamic driving while in the ‘Track’ mode the damping operates within the range of its stiffest settings.

The different damping modes available help appreciably broaden DB9’s character, adapting its set-up to suit the driver’s requirements in different contexts. It can be a comfortable and compliant GT car in Normal mode as well as being a firm and direct sports car in Sport setting and offering highly precise flat cornering in Track mode.

Equipment – luxury comes as standard

As befits a luxury GT in this class DB9 13MY of course features convenience items such as automatic headlights, now operated by a new master switch unit control panel located on the lower instrument panel beneath the driver’s side air-vent.

Automatic windscreen wipers are also a standard-fit feature, with their operation triggered by a rain sensor built into the header pod in front of the rear-view mirror.

Arch-filling 20-inch alloys wheels in a variety of designs, full-grain leather interior, leather sports steering wheel, electrically adjustable Sports seats with side airbags, memory seats and exterior mirrors, satellite navigation, automatic temperature control, trip computer and Organic Electroluminescent (OEL) displays – the DB9 13MY’s list of standard equipment is suitably generous while buyers keen to further enhance the luxury look and feel of their Aston Martin sports car can select from an extensive range of optional equipment features.

DB9 13MY features the optional reversing camera currently available on the Rapide four-door sports car and forthcoming Vanquish super GT. The camera – standard in the US market – is integrated into the rear boot lid above the number plate, with the image visible on the LCD screen folding out of the centre stack. The reversing camera is activated when reverse gear is selected and is deactivated once the car is driving forwards at more than 5 mph.

Meanwhile there are two Carbon Packs introduced on DB9 13MY – one exterior and one interior – to offer further personalisation possibilities. All of the carbon fibre has a 2 x 2 twill design that is finished with a clear lacquer.

The exterior pack comprises carbon fibre front splitter and rear diffuser, carbon fibre mirror arms and caps and dark tailpipes with a graphitic finish. The interior pack offers a carbon fibre upper facia, carbon fibre gear selector paddles and carbon fibre door pulls.

Buyers can opt for either Aston Martin wings or DB9 headrest embroidery. The DB9 embroidery design has been refreshed and also has a new stitch pattern on 13MY cars.

Finally, a leather headlining is now available as an option on DB9. The large central panel of the headlining can be finished in leather, while the cant rail trim and header trim remain Alcantara-coloured.

Summarising the significantly enhanced appeal of the DB9 13MY, product manager Andy Haslam said: “DB9 has, rightly, been positioned at the hub of our GT segment offerings for some years now.

“The introduction of this significantly enhanced 13MY car means Aston Martin buyers have a very clear and compelling model line-up from which to choose.

“Taking the best elements of Virage, adding important new upgrades and combining these with the iconic DB9 nomenclature we have created a compelling new Sports GT that sits proudly at the very heart of the Aston Martin sports car range.

“With the exceptional new Vanquish super GT occupying the top of the range, there is now a clear and logical step from DB9.”

DB9 13MY is available to order now through Aston Martin dealers worldwide, with the first cars making their market debuts in UK and Western Europe in October. Prices are confirmed as £131,995 (UK RRP); €174,994 (German RRP); $185,400 (USA MSRP); and 21,995,000 JPY (Japan RRP).

23 April 2012, Beijing: Luxury British sports car maker Aston Martin is today unveiling three hand crafted ‘Year of the Dragon’ special editions as it grabs the spotlight at the 2012 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition.

The historic British brand, desired worldwide for its engineering and design excellence, is using this important Chinese exhibition to build on its long-term commitment to the Asian market, with a particular focus on China. Aston Martin will open 11 new dealerships in China this year.

The Dragon 88 Limited Edition models debuting at Beijing demonstrate the exceptional personalisation possibilities available from Aston Martin, with the world-famous sports car brand making 88 cars available for the ultimate in personalisation.

Show goers will be able to see a DBS Volante, Virage Coupe and V8 Vantage S Coupe from the Year of the Dragon series. The Dragon 88s on the impressive show stand will be complemented by Aston Martin’s exceptional One-77 supercar, together with a four-door Rapide customised by Aston Martin’s new ‘Q by Aston Martin’ bespoke service, and a DBS cutaway model.

“The stunning Dragon 88 sports cars – hand-built by our world-class craftspeople in England – reflect the design flair and technical excellence of the luxurious Aston Martin brand,” said Dr Ulrich Bez, CEO of Aston Martin.

Dr Bez added: “I am very happy to be able to present these iconic cars on the world stage here in Beijing, and I and my staff in China look forward discussing them with visitors to the exhibition.

“This is the first time we have participated in a major automotive show in China since our wholly-owned subsidiary, Aston Martin Lagonda (China) Automobile Distribution Co., Ltd., became our general distributor in China in summer 2011.

“We became general distributor after resolving a lawsuit about distribution rights on friendly terms and we are both proud and pleased that we were able to achieve this. It is another important step on our journey to developing a successful sales operation here in China. Like many newcomers to China we have learned a lot since we first came here in 2007.

“We expect China to become one of our most important markets and look forward to sharing the Aston Martin experience with Chinese customers. Our dealership network is growing very quickly. It now includes Shanghai, Beijing, Chengdu, Hangzhou, Guangzhou, Chongqing, Shenzhen, Shenyang and Ordos City, and will soon include Kunming and Tianjin.”

Global Sales Director Andy Gawthorpe said: “We are investing significantly in the Chinese market throughout 2012 and beyond. Today Aston Martin operates nine dealerships in the region, with 11 additional showrooms planned to open in China this year alone.”

He added: “With the new limited edition Dragon 88s, our ‘Q by Aston Martin’ bespoke service and the massive expansion of our sales network, China is on course to become Aston Martin’s third biggest market.”

New models for China
The Dragon 88 concept is reserved for Aston Martin’s most powerful, elegant and prestigious models: the DBS, Virage and V8 Vantage S.

Each of the 88 cars will feature bespoke details that celebrate the mystical qualities of the dragon symbol, synonymous with power, strength and good luck in Chinese folklore. Among the detail changes, 24-carat gold is applied to the signature Aston Martin wing badges on each car. The cars are also finished in one of three special colours selected to chime with traditional Chinese art and imagery.

Also starring at the Beijing show the One-77 is the ultimate expression of Aston Martin’s engineering excellence, representing the world’s most desirable automotive art form. The hugely potent 7.3-litre, naturally aspirated V12 engine and the low mass, high-rigidity properties of a carbon fibre chassis give a unique group of 77 owners around the world a driving experience of unrivalled intensity and excitement.

‘Q by Aston Martin’ bespoke service
‘Q by Aston Martin’ is a bespoke specification service that goes well beyond the already extensive standard palette of paint, leather and trim finishes. This exciting new service brings Aston Martin’s talented designers together with the company’s expert engineers and highly experienced craftspeople, allowing customers to specify their Aston Martin sports car with meticulous attention to detail.

The service covers interior and exterior styling, offering almost endless opportunity for expression. Thanks to Aston Martin’s unique VH (Vertical Horizontal) architecture, the philosophy that forms the backbone of its sports cars, the company has evolved a fast, flexible and modular approach to engineering. With ‘Q by Aston Martin’, the ability to commission the design and manufacture of a truly unique car is now within reach.

The Ming dynasty is the inspiration for the ‘Q by Aston Martin’ Rapide on show in Beijing. Ming Blue Paint, ‘glacial’ wings and side strakes, Walnut wooden boot and door inserts, Falcon Grey and Metallic Bronze leather, and Ming-inspired seat embroidery are all unique for this car. Meanwhile the DBS cutaway model at the show stand has been created to give visitors a unique insight into Aston Martin’s unique VH (Vertical Horizontal) architecture.

Aston Martin CEO Dr Ulrich Bez said of the British sport car maker’s dramatic show presence in Beijing: “I’m very happy to be presenting such a compelling collection of luxury sports cars to a Chinese audience. My team has striven to create cars that are as beautiful as they are rare and exotic, and we all look forward to welcoming show visitors in Beijing.”

About Aston Martin
Aston Martin is a world-famous British manufacturer of luxury sports cars, founded in 1913 by Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford, based in Gaydon, Warwickshire, England. Transforming itself from a small-scale manufacturer of specialist sports cars to one of the world’s best-known luxury brands, Aston Martin’s range includes the One-77 supercar, the V12 Zagato and V12 Vantage, the V8 Vantage S and recently updated V8 Vantage, the Virage, DB9, DBS and Rapide. Every Aston Martin expresses the brand’s core values of Power, Beauty and Soul.

Aston Martins are hand crafted by highly-skilled engineers, guaranteeing the utmost attention to detail and precision across the range, from initial concept to final production.

The first of the class victories came at the opening round of the Nürburgring-based VLN series as Team Mathol Racing’s Vantage GT4 prevailed in the SP10 category, continuing where it left off last season having dominated the GT4 class in the ten-race VLN endurance series. The V12-engined Vantage GT3, meanwhile, made its competitive debut in the thriving ADAC GT Masters series at Oschersleben, Germany, in the hands of Young Driver AMR with the pairing of Christoffer Nygaard and Kristian Poulsen scoring victory in the amateur class in the first of two races. Further podium results followed in VLN, with Aston Martin’s own test centre team scoring second and third in the SP8 category with a Vantage GT3 and GT4 respectively. Multimatic Motorsports rounded out a successful weekend for Aston Martin Racing’s partner teams with second overall in the North American Grand-Am series.

In partnership with the Toronto-based outfit, Aston Martin contested the second round of the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge at Barber Motorsports Park, Alabama, with a pair of Grand Sport class Vantage GT4s. The #55 car of series regulars Joe Foster and Scott Maxwell missed out on its maiden Grand-Am victory by a scant 0.5 seconds after two and a half hours of competition. The result bodes well for the remainder of the 11-round championship, which sees Aston Martin do battle with six- and eight-cylinder GT racers on its return to domestic competition in North America.

The second Multimatic-run Vantage GT4 of Hollywood movie star Patrick Dempsey and open-wheeler veteran Tonis Kasemets was unfortunately sidelined after being involved in an incident on lap three. The third round of the championship will be run at the Homestead Miami Speedway on April 28, with the team targeting the top step of the podium.

Aston Martin’s partnership with Young Driver AMR yielded six race wins in the FIA GT1 World Championship during 2010 and 2011, so its was fitting that the German squad should have the privilege of giving the new Vantage GT3 its competitive debut as the relationship progresses to encompass a full ADAC GT Masters programme. The driver pairing of Ferdinand and Johannes Stuck – sons of celebrated German racer Hans-Joachim Stuck – missed out on a top-ten result after being handed a five second penalty after race two, instead netting 16th in the highly competitive series.

Nygaard and Poulsen, meanwhile, proved the Vantage GT3’s potential with eighth in race one – during which the crew also prevailed in the amateur category – and 11th in race two. Young Driver AMR now looks ahead to round two of the series on May 5/6 at Zandvoort in the Netherlands.

The Nürburgring has become a second home for Aston Martin’s Vantage, the most sporting car in the marque’s model line up. The V8-powered coupe has competed at the punishing German circuit since 2006; its championship glory in the VLN series in the hands of Team Mathol Racing last year proved the car’s enduring competitive qualities. Victory in round one of the 2012 championship for Team Mathol Racing suggests that the outfit will mount a stern title defence this season. Of the top nine SP10 class finishers at the opening VLN race, five were Aston Martin Vantage GT4s.

John Gaw, Managing Director of Aston Martin Racing, said: “I’m delighted at the results this weekend from all our partner teams, including those in Grand-Am, but of particular significance were those of Young Driver AMR on the race debut of the new Vantage GT3. Winning the amateur class first time out was really important to us as one of the design principles of the car was to make it easy to drive for all standards of driver.

“The second main design principle of the new Vantage GT3 was to build a car that does not need expensive upgrades annually to increase performance. We ran this weekend with the most recent version of the FIA Balance Of Performance criteria, which added weight to the car and restricted the engine’s performance. Therefore, the Vantage GT3 clearly has lots more potential and we’ll continue to work with the FIA to achieve the correct Balance Of Performance.”

David King, Aston Martin’s Head of Motorsport, added: “To have three different racing versions of Vantage, including the brand new V12 Vantage GT3, performing so strongly at the start of the season is a stunning endorsement of the capabilities of the base road car. Aston Martin’s super-stiff and lightweight bonded aluminium platform and ideal weight distribution makes the perfect base for a competitive race car – most clearly demonstrated by the continuing success of the almost standard Vantage GT4.”

Aston Martin was also represented in the Japanese Super GT series at Okayama and the European Le Mans Series at the Six Hours of Le Castellet, France. Triple A and Gulf Racing AMR each campaigned a Vantage GT2 – the predecessor to the Vantage GTE that forms the basis of Aston Martin Racing’s factory FIA World Endurance Championship campaign – with the former scoring 11th in class and the latter a fine fourth in the GTE Am category, despite a 25 minute delay following a collision with a prototype racer.

The Vantage GT3 will make its UK debut this Easter weekend in the hands of Beechdean Motorsport at Oulton Park as it tackles round one of the Avon Tyres British GT Championship. The factory Aston Martin Racing team, meanwhile, will compete in the second of its three scheduled American Le Mans Series races at Long Beach, California, on April 14 with the works Vantage GTE.

The new space will function as showroom and boutique, providing both an essential introduction to the brand and a location where existing customers and collaborators will find themselves instantly at home. The façade combines stone, timber and glass to make a warm, welcoming destination, distinct from the traditional showroom aesthetic and highlighting the personal one-to-one service offered within W-One.

Aston Martin’s Brand Partners will be invited to continue the well established tradition of high-profile collaboration working with names like Jaeger LeCoultre, Bang & Olufsen, Louis Roederer and newly announced luxury shoe makers; John Lobb, all of which share an understanding of the value of good design and craftsmanship. An Aston Martin is a highly-crafted blend of tradition and technology, a powerful synthesis of design and engineering. W-One is a space where these qualities can be explored in depth.

An expansive colour and trim wall in the showroom illustrates the breadth of options available, demonstrating Aston Martin’s ongoing commitment to an ever-more bespoke service and showcasing the recently announced ‘Q – by Aston Martin’ a service that goes beyond the standard palette of paint, leather and trim finishes, taking the company into a new era in personalisation. A team that brings Aston Martin’s designers together with the company’s engineers and highly experienced craftspeople, allowing customers to enhance and personalise their Aston Martin with meticulous attention to detail.

Aston Martin W-One is a new kind of brand space, a showcase of Aston Martin’s core values in a bespoke environment that has been tailor-made for the modern city. Each Aston Martin is unique. W-One is a place where the customer’s tastes and desires can begin their journey through the skills and talents of the company’s people, on the way to manifesting themselves in one of the finest luxury sports cars ever made.

Co-designed by Aston Martin’s Director of Design Marek Reichman and John Lobb’s Creative Director Andrés Hernández, this sleek aerodynamic shoe, with its finely-tuned detailing, speaks to the world of the automobile yet sits comfortably within the John Lobb collection.

Winner Sport embodies the style, craftsmanship and quality for which both brands are celebrated the world over.

Crafted around John Lobb’s 8695 last, Winner Sport is made from full-grain calfskin and lined with supple sheepskin. Soft padding has been added at the ankle for comfort, and metallic eyelets, punched with a wheel of fine holes, reflect the automotive design cues of Aston Martin. Unlike the more formal, welted John Lobb shoes, Winner Sport is created with a specially-engineered bonded rubber sole that wraps beneath the shoe, giving a sleek line and a sporting feel.

Winner Sport is available in an exciting range of colour combinations: Graphite Grey, Winter Wheat, Frost White and Saddle Tan are all made with the Sporty Stratos White rubber sole. Storm Black, Bitter Chocolate, Westminster Green and Aurora Blue are made with Racy Fire Red rubber soles. Coordinating red and white laces complete the Winner Sport look.

Winner Sport will be previewed at the opening of the new Aston Martin W-One Store in London’s Park Lane and at John Lobb Jermyn Street this March. As of May 2012 Winner Sport will be available at selected John Lobb and Aston Martin stores worldwide.