2011 Aston Martin Vantage Roadster Facelift

2011 Aston Martin Vantage Roadster
Aston Martin is preparing the facelift of its smallest model, the V8 Vantage, and we now have some spy photos showing the new model during testing - thankfully, the car wore very little disguise.

The car photographed is the roadster version and the photos reveal we're not dealing with a major facelift. The Aston Martin Vantage facelift will feature small changes like a slightly redesigned front bumper with new lower splitter, new 10-spoke 19-inch wheels and a rear diffuser that resembles the one from the Vantage V12.

British engineers also added a higher, Porsche-like rear spoiler, incorporated in the boot lid, for better aerodynamic performance. Interior changes include the introduction of a 1000-watts Bang&Olufsen hi-fi system and a set of lightweight Kevlar and carbon seats. As far as the engines go, there’s not much to say excepting the fact that they should remain largely the same for the facelift. The car will be premiered this year and the sales will start in 2011.

James Bond Aston Martin may be worth £200,000

Rusting heap could be worth £200,000 thanks to its James Bond connections

An Aston Martin DB5, made famous in the early Bond films, has spent the last 20 years in a barn.

Despite this, car nuts are vying to buy the 1964 model at Monte Carlo and with restoration costs the final sum could rise to £500,000.

Philip Kantor, for Bonham Auctioneers, said: ‘I doubt if James Bond would feel happy to drive this in its current state but once it has been restored, I’m sure he will.’

Aston Martin DB9 named Britain's best-loved car

Aston Martin DB9

The Aston Martin elevated to iconic status by James Bond films was yesterday named Britain's best-loved car.

It topped a poll of the nation's favourite motors of the last 25 years.

One in 10 motorists picked the luxury sports car's DB9 model, the DBS version of which was driven by 007 star Daniel Craig in the latest movies.

Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace continued Bond's association with the marque dating to 1964's Goldfinger.

In second place was the Volkswagen Golf GTI, with 5% of the vote.

Third was the BMW Mini, the modern take on a long-term classic, which got 4% after 2,700 drivers were asked to vote for their favourite car from a list of 30 models from 1985 to 2010.

Aston Martin's Carbon Black DBS

Aston Martin is out to prove that black is not only beautiful, but it can be even more beautiful when it's on the inside and outside of a hot car.

Aston announced that its bringing a special edition, the DBS Carbon Black, to the U.S. market this month. Outside, it features a "carbon black" metallic paint that takes 50 hours to apply by hand.

Inside, the interior is done in a "obsidian black" leather with silver stitching done at Aston's plant in Gaydon, England.

Now that you've got the high-tech look, Aston adds a Bang & Olufsen audio system as standard. It has a 13-channel system with 10 speaker locations.

The carbon black moniker is appropriate since the DBS uses a lot of carbon fiber and aluminum to save weight. It has a V-12 engine producing 510 horsepower. Deliveries of the car begin this summer.

Aston Martin One-77 Volante rendering

Aston Martin One-77
The One-77 coupe is powered by a 6.0-liter V12 engine (same from the DBS, DB9 and new V12 Vantage) that delivers 700 hp. With a projected weight of 1,500kg the One-77 should be very quick (Aston predicts a 0-60 time of 3.5 seconds.) Aston also says the engine will be able to pull the car to a top speed beyond 200 mph.