Aston Martin – Page 158 – I wish I had more to offer

Aston Martin hit by Daimler steering-column recall

PARIS (Reuters) – Aston Martin has become the latest carmaker to be caught up in a major recall of faulty Daimler (DAIGn.DE) steering-column components that can cause unintended airbag deployments. The British sports car maker is recalling all 3,873 DB11 coupes built since late 2015, when production of the flagship model began, sources with knowledge… Continue reading Aston Martin hit by Daimler steering-column recall

Welsh Government purchases three per cent stake in TVR

TVR has gained a minority shareholder in the form of the Welsh government, which now owns three per cent of the revived British sports car manufacturer. Accounts filed at Companies House last month revealed that the Welsh government has spent £500,000 on acquiring the three per cent stake in TVR, with the Welsh taxpayer providing… Continue reading Welsh Government purchases three per cent stake in TVR

Billions for Auto1: Berlin start-up in the world’s top – how Auto1 works

01/15/2018 Billions valuation for Auto1 “And then came grandma” By Claus Gorgs Kai Müller for manager magazin From zero to 2.9 billion: Hakan Koç (l.) And Christian Bertermann manage one of the most valuable start-ups worldwide The Berlin start-up has become Europe’s largest used car dealer in only five years. The investment by Softbank billionaire… Continue reading Billions for Auto1: Berlin start-up in the world’s top – how Auto1 works

Aston Martin boss has doubts on Dyson’s car project

Few automotive engineers know more about electric powertrains than Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer. In his previous life as Nissan’s head of development, Palmer led the team that created the Leaf. His arrival at Gaydon has put Aston Martin on course for what will be a part-electric future, and he is politely sceptical about James Dyson’s plan… Continue reading Aston Martin boss has doubts on Dyson’s car project

Battery That Charges in One Minute Could Beat Tesla in the Race for Tomorrow’s Clean Car

In Brief A former chief designer for Aston Martin is working on a new solid-state battery design that could be vastly superior to the currently available lithium-ion batteries used in electric cars. Fast Charging Henrik Fisker, a former chief designer for Aston Martin, claims that he will soon revolutionize the world of electric cars with… Continue reading Battery That Charges in One Minute Could Beat Tesla in the Race for Tomorrow’s Clean Car

Aston Martin Seeks $6.8 Billion Value in Potential IPO

Aston Martin is targeting a valuation of as much as 5 billion pounds ($6.8 billion) in a potential initial public offering of the British sports car maker, according to people familiar with the matter. The manufacturer has held preliminary talks with advisers about a valuation including debt that would put it on par with Ferrari NV,… Continue reading Aston Martin Seeks $6.8 Billion Value in Potential IPO

Aston Martin delivers record sales growth in 2017

Group upgrades full-year profit guidance as retail volumes rise 58% to more than 5,100 Strong demand for DB11 model lifts retail sales 58% year-on-year Unit sales exceed 5,000 for first time since 2008 Manufacturing at a nine-year high Group expects to exceed full-year EBITDA guidance of at least £180 million on revenues of more than… Continue reading Aston Martin delivers record sales growth in 2017

This is going to be the world of the automobile and mobility in 2018

The study2025 Automotive 360º VisionIt is not a crystal ball, but it is a tool that anticipates tendencies of evolution in the automobile sector and mobility. This time we want to share with you some of our impressions for next year, while we take the opportunity to wish you a great 2018. Today we all… Continue reading This is going to be the world of the automobile and mobility in 2018

Aston Martin Lagonda completes Phase Two of new St Athan facility

Published: Jul 20, 2018

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Neil Allison

Aston Martin, the producer of highly desirable luxury handcrafted sports cars, today announced it has completed the second phase of its new car assembly plant at St Athan, in South Wales.

20 July 2018, St Athan, Wales: Aston Martin, the producer of highly desirable luxury handcrafted sports cars, today announced it has completed the second phase of its new car assembly plant at St Athan, in South Wales.
Aston Martin’s Board of Directors held their first meeting in St Athan to mark the completion of building work at the facility, which involves the conversion of three super hangars at the former Ministry of Defence site into a state-of-the-art vehicle assembly facility.
Directors and shareholder representatives of Aston Martin were briefed on the progress of the project, in which production of the company’s first sports utility vehicle (SUV) is due to begin in late 2019.
The St Athan plant is a demonstration of Aston Martin’s continued commitment to the UK and is set to bring up to 750 new employment opportunities to the South Wales region. Of the total workforce, 150 employees have been recruited as part of the pre-production preparations.
When the St Athan plant is complete, it will join Aston Martin’s Gaydon headquarters and Newport Pagnell site as centres of the highest quality of British craftmanship and engineering.
The fit-out of the super hangars, the third and final phase of the construction project, has already begun ahead of the inaugural production planned for next year as part of the company’s Second Century Plan.
Dr Andy Palmer, Aston Martin President and Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are delighted at the progress being made at the St Athan site. The team have done a fantastic job in advancing the facility and I was incredibly proud to chair our first Board meeting at the new plant. Wales has a long history of engineering excellence and the Board is delighted that it will play such an important part in Aston Martin’s development.”
Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Transport Ken Skates said: “I am delighted to see our partnership with Aston Martin, right in the heart of our Cardiff Airport and St Athan Enterprise Zone, coming to fruition.
“Progress to date continues to match the company’s aspiration for future growth and, when complete, the site will provide highly-skilled employment and world-class apprenticeship opportunities in the automotive sector for many generations to come. I wish them the same success with the next phase.”

Aston Martin V8 Cygnet: The Ultimate City Car

Published: Jul 12, 2018

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Neil Allison

One of the most exciting, outrageous and diminutive creations ever to wear the famous Aston Martin wings will be making its world debut at the 2018 Goodwood Festival of Speed. Dubbed the ‘The Ultimate City Car’, a one-off Aston Martin Cygnet has been built with a 4.7-litre, 430bhp V8 engine from the Vantage S and a very short torque tube.

Thursday 12 July 2018, Goodwood: One of the most exciting, outrageous and diminutive creations ever to wear the famous Aston Martin wings will be making its world debut at the 2018 Goodwood Festival of Speed. Dubbed the ‘The Ultimate City Car’, a one-off Aston Martin Cygnet has been built with a 4.7-litre, 430bhp V8 engine from the Vantage S and a very short torque tube.
The V8 Cygnet has been brought to life for a single customer through the ‘Q by Aston Martin – Commission’ service. This section of the British marque’s bespoke personalisation service allows the ultimate in freedom of expression when designing an Aston Martin and the V8 Cygnet continues to push these boundaries.
Aston Martin Vice President & Special Operations Officer, David King said: “The V8 Cygnet shows the fun side of both Aston Martin and its customers. It is also a fine example of the engineering talent within the company as it’s no small achievement to fit the Vantage’s V8 engine so harmoniously into the Cygnet’s compact body. I am sure that it will amaze and thrill people when they see and hear it on the hill at the Festival of Speed.”
Developed in-house by Aston Martin’s engineers, the starting point for the project was a right-hand drive Cygnet steel body shell and panels. A roll cage was welded to this, becoming an integral part of the chassis in the process, while a new front bulkhead and transmission tunnel were fabricated from sheet metal to accommodate the characterful 4.7-litre naturally aspirated V8 Vantage S powertrain. Subframes and suspension are also derived from the previous generation Vantage and a steel fuel tank housing has been mounted in the boot area, utilizing every inch of space.
Despite all this work, the car remains very recognisably a Cygnet from the outside. The face of the little Aston Martin remains largely untouched, with no extra bulges in the bonnet and just a subtle black mesh for the famous grille. However, there is no disguising the extra width of the wheel arches. In order to accommodate the significantly wider front and rear tracks, beautiful carbon composite flared extensions were made. These also house the new forged, five-spoke, diamond-turned wheels, which have grown from 16” to 19” in diameter.
At the rear of the car the distinguishing new feature of the V8 Cygnet is the central twin exhaust pipes. The exhaust is a bespoke system with twin underfloor mufflers and catalytic converters. With relatively short distances involved from manifold to tail pipe the V8 Cygnet has a voice that belies its compact size.
The engine itself is the 4.7-litre, naturally-aspirated V8 that is more usually found beneath the bonnet of the previous-generation Vantage S. Bespoke intake trunking had to be designed and there are twin conical air filters. There is no sense in which the engine has been neutered for the Cygnet, however, with power and torque figures remaining at 430bhp and 490NM (361lb ft) respectively.
The gearbox is also taken from the V8 Vantage S with a seven-speed Sportshift II transmission taking care of the shifting. Power is transferred via a miniature torque tube to the 9.5” rear wheels, which are complemented by 275/35 Bridgestone tyres.
Weighing just 1375kg when full of fluids, the V8 Cygnet has a power-to-weight ratio of 313bhp/tonne. As a result, the V8 Cygnet is capable of accelerating faster than the V8 Vantage S with 0-60mph taking just 4.2 seconds. With a top speed of 170mph it is over 60mph faster than the regular Cygnet.
Braking is taken care of by 380mm discs clamped by six-piston monoblock calipers at the front and 330mm discs gripped by four-piston mono block calipers at the rear. The calipers are painted yellow to contrast with the Buckinghamshire green of the bodywork. Most of the remaining parts of the braking system are taken from the V8 Vantage S with ABS and a fixed brake bias valve. Inside, there is a bespoke brake pedal housed in the V8 Vantage-derived pedal box.
The rest of the interior is largely indicative of the fact that this V8 Cygnet could easily be used for competition. In addition to the roll cage there is a fully FIA compliant fire extinguisher system and seating is taken care of by composite, fixed back Recaro bucket seats with four-point harnesses. The alcantara covered steering wheel is removable and behind this sits a bespoke carbon dash with the familiar Vantage instrument cluster. There are, of course, little touches of luxury inside as well, with leather pull straps on the unique carbon door cards and two USB ports alongside the bespoke controls for the air conditioning.
This very special one-off Cygnet is a timely reminder of what a ground-breaking car the original was, bringing luxury to the city car segment. What’s more, the market place shows that prices of Cygnets are rising as it looks set to become a future classic. Of course, classic status is already almost assured for this new V8 version of the Cygnet that epitomises the concept of a ‘pocket rocket’ and is sure to be a firm favourite of the crowds at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this weekend as it joins a plethora of other Aston Martins on the hillclimb.