Aston Martin Rapide interior leaked

Aston Martin Rapide -

A scanned rendering of the Aston Martin Rapide's interior, claimed to be taken from an official brochure, has slid onto the Internet, and judging by the images, occupants will get the full GT experience no matter where they're seated.

Assuming there's room to get comfy, back-seaters should have a fine time of it. Screens in the headrests will entertain while controls on the center tunnel keep the climate in check. We aren't sure what the features in the seatbacks are, but we look forward to finding out.

And in a first for recent Astons, the packaging appears to have left room for a properly capacious trunk. Stay tuned for shots of the real deal from the Frankfurt Motor Show.

Aston Martin LMV/R

Aston Martin V8 Vantage buyers with a bit (well, a lot) of spare cash will be able to turn their cars into something a heap less subtle.

American tuner Elite has come up with this LMV/R (Le Mans Vantage Racer) package that cranks the coupe’s aggression way past 11, and aims it straight at hardcore supercars like the Ferrari 430 Scuderia and Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera.

While it’s just a mock-up for now, Elite says the finished car’s weight will be considerably down on the standard Vantage thanks to extensive use of carbonfibre inside and out. There are aerodynamic tweaks, too, with an abundance of new air intakes and a hefty rear wing.

The springs are lowered, while there’s a bigger brake kit surrounded by matt black 20in alloys. The exhaust is beefed up via a sports muffler and there’s an Alcantara-clad interior to remind you of your car’s relative uniqueness while driving.

All the developments should improve the Vantage’s already impressive performance, the standard 420bhp, 4.7-litre V8 dishing up a 4.7sec 0-60mph time and a 180mph top speed.

Elite is currently seeking an Aston Martin dealer in the US to help sell the LMV/R kit, but the plan is for 30 cars to be sold like this, with the changes made when buyers’ brand new cars have been delivered to their respective dealer, meaning you can order a fresh Vantage in any colour you like before having it Elite-ed.

2010 Aston Martin DBS Volante

Aston Martin DBS Volante LIVE atGeneva Motor Show

With the clock counting down for the worldwide launch of its Rapide sedan, Aston Martin continues to fill out its exotically British lineup. Next up for the bespoke brand? The roadster DBS Volante arriving in buyers' hands later this year and wearing a 2010 model-year tag..

Aston previewed the new convertible at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year, and is showing clients across America the new car, with a stop planned at this month's Pebble Beach Concours.

By their accounts, the DBS Volante is the "ultimate open air motoring experience." If you're inclined to agree, the only evidence you need to point to may be the Volante's bruising V-12 engine. The 6.0-liter V-12 exhales 510 horsepower and twists out 420 pound-feet of torque, which gets shuttled to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic with paddle shifters. With either, Aston Martin says the Volante dashes to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds and charges to a 191-mph top speed.

Playing backup to the massively powerful drivetrain are big carbon-ceramic brakes and a lighter-weight body with a hood, decklid and front fenders made from carbon fiber. Driving feel is adjustable, with dash-mounted buttons for Sport or normal modes. Sport quickens the reflexes of the automatic, the shocks, steering and throttle, while the normal mode promises a more relaxed, GT-style ride.

The DBS's bonded and riveted aluminum body should stay rigid, since the automaker planned the DBS Volante in tandem with the coupe. Instead of a weight-gaining folding hardtop like the Ferrari California, Aston's fitted a lightweight fabric roof that stacks and folds in only 14 seconds, at speeds of up to 30 mph. When it's stowed, the top hides underneath a hard tonneau cover that gives the Volante a distinct look from the coupe.

Elite Aston Martin Vantage

Like the Scuderia and Superleggera, Elite set out to create a nimble version of a production street car. It chose the new Vantage, covered the car in carbon fiber and strapped on a few performance modifications in the process.

To improve performance, the Washington-based tuner installed a sport muffler with dual tips, big brake kit and lowering springs.

The bulk of the work was done on the exterior, thanks to a full carbon fiber body kit. It consists of a front bumper with screens, canards, front splitter, hood, wider fenders, side skirts, rear quarter-panel extensions, rear wing and diffuser. Matte black 20-inch wheels sit in the now 2-inch-wider wheelwells.

Other changes include a carbon fiber engine bay kit, fully customized Alcantara interior, serial-numbered plaque and LMV/R matte black stripes.

2010 Aston Martin Rapide

A HANDFUL of images showing Aston Martin’s all-new Rapide sports sedan have been leaked onto the web, depicting the production car’s interior for the first time.

Strictly a four-seater, the Rapide features two individual seats in the rear separated by a wide centre console that extends all the way from the front of the cabin to the rear.

Ventilation controls, cupholders and an interface system for the two seatback-mounted LCD screens are mounted in the rear centre console and although the rear doors are small, rear legroom is much more generous than that offered by the DB9.

Based on a stretched version of the DB9’s aluminium platform, the Rapide is Aston Martin’s first four-door sports sedan. Aston Martin’s familiar 350kW 6.0 litre V12 will lie beneath its alloy bonnet and the sole transmission on offer will be a six-speed ZF-sourced Touchtronic auto.

The production version of the Rapide is expected to make its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, with global deliveries commencing early next year. Australians can expect to see the first Rapides on our roads by the end of the first quarter of 2010.

“We’ll be handing over customer cars around the back end of March next year,” Aston Martin spokesman Marcel Fabris told TMR.

“At this stage the most that we’re prepared to say is that the Rapid will sit between the DB9 and DBS in pricing, so that will see it in the low to mid $400,000’s.”

V8 Vantage Grigio Titanio Like New

Low mileage Aston Martin V8 Vantage, 6 sp Manual.

Car is like new inside and out.

Stunning combination of titanium metallic and dark red interior with red callipers.

One previous owner. I've done only 2k miles in past 2 yrs, mainly because I run half a dozen cars. Always garaged. Showroom condition.

Just had a £1,200 FULL service and 1st MOT last week, with some work under warranty.

Full Aston Martin Warranty can be extended for up to 2 more years, and its just had the 140point check to verify its eligibility for this extension.

Service book is fully stamped up by the supplying dealer at approx 50 miles, 1,000 miles, 7,000 and 11,000 miles (last week).


• Condition is quite literally "like new" all over.
• 6 Speed manual
• Full Aston Martin Service History
• Titanium / Silver metallic, this stunning colour is special order Ferrari "Grigio Titanio"
• Dark 'chancellor red' leather which compliments the titanium body colour.
• Standard AM Sat Nav
• Power Folding Mirrors
• Trip computer functions
• GSM Phone Preparation, although no fixed phone is currently installed
• Rear parking Sensors
• 19" 7 Spoke AM Alloys, all mint condition
• Red 'Aston Martin' Callipers
• Heated Electric Seats
• Heated Front Screen
• Driver & Passenger Airbag
• Full Climate Control / AC
• Suede Headlining in dove grey
• Bright Finish Grill and side vents
• HID Xenon Headlamps
• Wash / Levelling Headlamps
• Aluminium Pedals option
• Adjustable Steering Column
• Electronic tyre pressure monitoring / warning system


Car located near J16 M1 / Northants. Private sale. Any inspection welcome. Email me for higher resolution pictures.

Car is re-advertised due to time waster who lost his deposit after shaking hands on a deal, and then struggled with finance. Please enquire about this car if you have the means to buy it.


And canvassers will be handed over to my automated angry response team .. who aren't very PC.

Sims takes Aston Martin prize test

McLaren Autosport BRDC Award winner Alexander Sims tested an Aston Martin GT1 at Donington Park today as part of the prize for winning the award last December.

The 20-year-old Briton, who is racing in the Formula 3 Euro Series with Mucke Motorsport this season, was grateful for the opportunity to sample a sportscar for the first time.

"I have to say a big thank you to AUTOSPORT and Aston Martin for making it possible because this isn't the sort of thing a driver in my situation would usually get to do," said Sims.

"It was a really good car to drive. Having spoken to David Brabham and Darren Turner beforehand, I was expecting something similar to the DTM car, which I got to drive in the award, just a bit heavier.

"And it was just that. They use tyre warmers which gives you a lot of confidence to get close to the limit straight away - a big help when you have a limited number of laps."

Sims is currently lying eighth in the Euro Series standings in his rookie season and is eager to keep moving forward as he gains experience.

"I made a few too many mistakes in first few races, which I've learned from," he said. "I had a very good Masters, and the races at Norisring at Oschersleben were good too. We're only halfway through the season so hopefully it will keep getting better."