News & Events

Aston Martin Heritage News

Aston Martin Heritage is pleased to announce the long-awaiting book "Newport Pagnell - A Celebration" has now been received into stock.

Written by Ken Gibson, this hardback edition contains 60 pages covering 50 years of Aston Martin production at the world famous Tickford Street site. Included are many previously unpublished photographs in both colour and black and white, together with a fascinating 30 minute DVD, featuring interviews and archive footage from this iconic era in the history of Aston Martin.

The book is strongly recommended as an important addition to the collection of all devotees of the marque and is available to order from our Aston Martin dealership at Chichester.

Updates for Aston Martin Elegant DB9

Aston Martin will introduce a revised version of the company's critically acclaimed DB9 at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show, which includes significant enhancements to standard specification.

These changes include a revised version of Aston Martin's 6.0 litre V12 engine to deliver improved power and torque. Peak power of 470bhp (350kW) - increased by 20bhp (30Nm) - is now reached at 6,000rpm, resulting in a power to weight ratio of 267bhp per tonne (199kW/tonne) - an increase of 11bhp per tonne over the existing DB9.

Peak torque of 600Nm is delivered at 5,000rpm, providing even more accessible power for the driver, as well a greater performance feel overall. Accordingly, top speed is now 190mph (306km/h) and the benchmark 0-60mph time improves by 0.3 seconds for the Touchtronic transmission - which benefits from a new valve box and integrated transmission controls to achieve quicker gear shifts - to 4.6 seconds and by 0.1 seconds to 4.6 seconds for the manual gearbox.

The latest DB9 also incorporates a series of chassis developments for both the Coupe and Volante derivates. Bilstein dampers are introduced in addition to revised upper suspension arms and retuned suspension bushes to deliver improved ride quality; aiding greater refinement in the Volante and an enhanced sporting feel in the Coupe. The DB9 Volante also benefits from revisions to the front shear panel which increases torsional rigidity by 10%, further improving refinement.

The DB9 manages to combine all facets of style, quality and usability of a traditional Aston Martin without relying on retrospective detail or design. Accordingly, styling changes to the revised DB9 are subtle, reflecting the car's timeless design and understated elegance.

Exterior styling changes include the introduction of a new standard 19'' 10-spoke alloy wheel, new door mirrors and a revised anodised aluminium five-bar grille. In the cabin changes include a new centre console constructed from die cast zinc with a painted iridium silver finish and the introduction of a new Emotion Control Unit (ECU) - first seen on the DBS in 2007. The ECU - constructed from glass, polished stainless steel and polycarbonate - replaces the key used previously for the DB9.

The innovative DB9 introduced an exciting new era for Aston Martin. The 2+2 sports car set new standards in its class due to its astonishing combination of technology, agility and design. The car marked the beginning of a new era for Aston Martin and became the first car to be hand-made at the company's state-of-the-art facility in Gaydon, Warwickshire. Sales of the DB9 started in spring 2004, and to date, more than 10,000 examples have been produced and delivered to customers around the world - surpassing the DB7 as the most successful Aston Martin of all time.

Deliveries of the updated DB9 begin during quarter two 2008, with prices from £113,950 for the DB9 Coupe and £122,950 for the DB9 Volante.

Aston Martin Announces Partnership with Magna Steyr

Aston Martin has today announced a partnership with automotive specialists Magna Steyr which will see the company's four-door Rapide built at a dedicated facility in Graz in Austria.

The decision to outsource production of this incremental model has been taken because Aston Martin is currently enjoying unprecedented levels of success from an increasing number of markets around the world. Demand for its current models - the DB9, the V8 Vantage and the recently launched DBS - means that their award-winning headquarters at Gaydon, Warwickshire, is fast approaching full capacity of 8,000 cars.

The Aston Martin Rapide was launched as a concept at the Detroit Motor Show in 2006 and since that time the company has been investigating the best business solution for building the car. Since the commitment from the new shareholders in May 2007, that the Rapide would go into production Aston Martin has investigated several companies, each with outstanding experience and reputation for handling such projects and high-performance models, and concluded that Magna Steyr was the best partner to do this.

The company has grown substantially since the Gaydon headquarters and production facility was opened in 2003, turning the company into one of the UK motor industry's top success stories.

The continuing growth and success of the company is based upon Gaydon as the focal point and heart of the business, with the design and engineering of all Aston Martin products continuing to be carried out there.

Aston Martin's Chief Executive Officer, Dr Ulrich Bez, commented: "I am confident that the partnership with Magna Steyr is a sound business proposition to ensure continued future stability and growth for Aston Martin. The dedicated Aston Martin Rapide Plant will have the ability to deliver the highest levels of quality similar to those which currently exist at our Gaydon production facility."

To meet Aston Martin's stringent requirements work will begin immediately to establish a dedicated Aston Martin production operation within Magna Steyr's facility in Austria. The design of the Aston Martin Rapide Plant (AMRP) will be based upon the company's production facility in Gaydon and the Aston Martin Engine Plant (AMEP) in Cologne and will integrate the company's corporate identity including a travertine marble reception and Aston Martin work-wear for employees.

Production of Rapide is expected to begin in late 2009 with around 2000+ cars being built annually.

Aston Martin to Open Engineering Test Centre at the Nurburgring

Just two months after opening its first ever purpose-built design studio at the company's Gaydon headquarters in Warwickshire, Aston Martin has announced plans to establish a new test centre at the famous Nurburgring race circuit in Germany. The facility is expected to be operational by the end of May this year.

Aston Martin has made extensive use of the legendary 14-mile circuit for testing and development over recent years. While being instrumental in developing aspects such as ride and handling, tyres, brakes and cooling systems, all new models are also subjected to a 10,000km high speed sign-off test on the gruelling circuit. The new facility will enhance these activities and provide a secure, permanent base for the company's engineering and development team, while also allowing opportunities for customer activities in the future.

Aston Martin's CEO commented: "Our new test centre will allow us to further increase the performance of our cars and to share something of the unique Nordschleife experience with our customers."

The new test centre is the latest announcement in an exciting period for Aston Martin. Following on from the launch of the eagerly anticipated DBS - which will appear alongside James Bond in Bond 22, Quantum of Solace - and the bold V12 Vantage RS concept, the company achieved record sales in 2007 and heads into 2008 with the strongest model line-up in the company's history.