Aston Martin DB9 News

Cash from fresh sources powers Aston Martin's reinvention.

A new model Aston Martin is being "torture tested" in Alice Springs, just weeks ahead of going on sale.

The British-based prestige sports car maker is recalling about 75 per cent of its cars built since late in 2007, after discovering a Chinese supplier was using counterfeit plastic in the accelerator pedals.The recall covers all left-hand drive cars that rolled off the production line since November 2007 and all right-hand drive ones since May 2012, in which there is a risk the pedals may break. The DB9, V8 Vantage, DBS,  Rapide, Rapide S, V12 Vantage, V8 Vantage S and Virage are included in the recall, but the latest Vanquish is not.The recall means thousands of wealthy and celebrity owners around the world will have to return their cars -- including the DBS driven by Daniel Craig in the James Bond movie Quantum Of Solace and a V12 Vantage Roadster he was loaned for his 45th birthday last year.Documents filed with the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration state that a company called Synthetic Plastic Raw Material Co. Ltd. of Dongguan supplied the counterfeit plastic to Shenzhen Kexiang Mold Tool Co. Ltd -- the firm that makes the pedals for Aston Martin.The recall affects 156 cars in Australia, the owners of which are being contacted. "Aston Martin is writing to owners and working through the process of replacing those as quickly as practical," an Aston Martin spokesman said. "However there have been no accidents or instances of the pedal failing here." Aston Martin has announced it will move production of the part to the UK. 

A British man has given away his pet dog of three years after arriving home to find she had chewed a hole into the wheelarch of his beloved Aston Martin.The damage to the DB9 Volante was done while Royston Grimstead was away, with him arriving home to find border collie spaniel cross Luce 'looking guilty' and covered in feathery white fibreglass."I came home and saw her covered in white stuff and I thought she had got a bird and it was feathers - but it was the fibreglass from the car," Grimstead told the UK's Daily Mail."She had chewed out a huge chunk. I just laughed. I mean, what else could I do? I'm not a crier and she knew she had done something wrong because she had this guilty look on her face."The damage on the car -- which would would have cost around $380,000 here as a new car -- is estimated to be about £3000 ($5,500).Grimstead said Luce has never before chewed any of his possessions, but he'd been thinking about rehoming her because she didn't get on with his other dog. "She must have overheard me talking about re-homing her because she's normally friendly and never really chewed on anything before," he said.This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott 

And they're stunning. Rather like the progeny of Brad and Angelina, you couldn't expect offspring from Zagato and Aston to be anything less. For the famed Italian design house Zagato, intimately linked with Aston Martin for over half a century, it’s only natural to mark the centenary this year of the historic British automaker, and what better way than to roll out a new Aston Martin Zagato creation.We can confirm that Zagato will build two examples of a new Aston Martin centenary special, one based on the 2013 DB9 Volante convertible and destined for a customer in the U.S. and the other on a 2013 DBS coupe.The DB9 Spyder Zagato Centennial was conceived for American car collector Peter Read, a longtime enthusiast and collector of Aston Martins. The DBS Coupe Zagato Centennial, meanwhile, was developed for a young entrepreneur based in Japan.Their designs draw inspiration from 2002’s DB7 Zagato, which proved so popular that all 99 examples allotted for sale were snapped up before the car had even made its debut at the Paris Auto Show of that same year. The same team responsible for the DB7 Zagato, led by Andrea and Marella Zagato together with Read, also worked on the latest centenary special.Looking at the renderings, it’s hard to recognise the modern Astons underpinning the cars but there’s no missing the signature of elements of both Zagato and Aston Martin. The double-bubble roof, clean surfaces and squared-off tail all scream Zagato while the grille, fender vents and fastback body tell you you’re looking at an Aston Martin well before the winged badge comes into view.You’ll also notice that there are clear influences from the V8 Zagato of the 1980s, particularly at the front of the cars. The design team’s vision is best expressed by Read, who said, “the DB9 Spyder Zagato Centennial perfectly merges Aston Martin and Zagato’s DNA by combining the elegance of design, typical of Zagato, with the soul, power and prestige of Aston Martin, all developed over the last 100 years."No changes were made to the mechanical package of either car, so they both come with Aston Martin’s venerable 6.0 litre V12, good for 380kW. Zagato has been called upon by Aston Martin to develop special bodies for its cars for more than half a century, with the partnership starting with the legendary DB4GT Zagato first shown in 1960. The cars, though expensive, have always been stunning and as history has shown they’ve all become highly sought-after collectibles.www.motorauthority.com 

James Bond's next ride could be called DB10 or DB11 but the 2013 newcomer is one of six new models on the drawing board and the VH500 holds onto a V12 engine and lightweight construction.

You can have them all for a fraction of the price.P1 is a multi-million dollar version of a car-rental company but you need to be quick if you want to be a part of the action.Less than a year after launching its Melbourne office, memberships in the exclusive and expensive rental company are running out.More than 135 Australians have signed up and the company will limit its membership to 200 to make sure there are enough cars to go around.“We'll never go above 200 members,” says James Ward, general manager of P1 in Victoria, “basically to maintain a ratio of five new members for each new car.”Though only 29 vehicles are spread across the company's three Australian locations — in Richmond, Sydney and the Gold Coast — the quality of the cars and motorbikes has seen the company lay out $29 million on equipment.Set up by former Formula One world champion Damon Hill in 2000 in Britain, the club came to Australia in December 2006. The Richmond branch opened last March.Members can join for $4550 and pay annual charges ranging from $27,000 to $36,500 to have access to a dream garage.P1's roster includes three examples of the Lamborghini Gallardo, a Lamborghini Murcielago, Ferrari 430, Ferrari 575M, Aston Martin DB9, Bentley GT Continental, Porsche 997 GT3, Porsche Cayman S, Audi RS4 Avant, Lotus Exige, Hummer H2, and a Ducati 1098 and BMW K1200 for bikers.Packages give customers a bank of points to use through the year.As is befitting the cost, the company offers a range of services. They drop off the cars anywhere they are required and can store and wash the customer's personal car.“It's as much about the car as it is about the service,” Ward says . “It's whatever suits our customers.” 

You want cool wheels? Then stick a car into a big tank of water and turn it to ice. It has to be the ultimate ice block for car enthusiasts on a hot day.The car here is an Aston Martin. The British maker of flashy sports cars provided this image to mark its award as the Britain's Coolest Car for the second year running.The award comes from the CoolBrands Council, which combines opinions of experts and consumers on Britain's strongest brands.“On the one hand, things can become cool by virtue of their necessity or prevalence in your life,” says CoolBrands Council chairman Stephen Cheliotis.“On the other hand, it can be the things you really want but may know you'll never get.”In August, Aston Martin unveiled the long-awaited DBS, seen for the first time in the latest James Bond film, Casino Royale.Aston Martin says the DBS bridges the gap between its road and track cars, the DB9 and DBR9.Aston Martin proud of its award. “To be voted the UK's coolest brand for the second-year running proves that the growth of our brand is consistent and ongoing,” says Aston Martin's Dr Ulrich Bez.“Our exciting, design-led program of new models and unparalleled attention to detail has made a major impact in the world of international culture.”Which car in Australia do you think should claim the cool brand status? (comment below)  

It should only take a glance of these pictures to understand just why it is we here at carsguide are happy campers. Just two words sum it up; Aston Martin. In the past week we've had the privilege of not one but three Aston Martin models rolling through our garage . . . and what a week that has made it. These pure-bred exotics get through on looks alone, but a quick look at their sports car credentials; places all three near the top of the table of best cars we have ever had the pleasure of driving. First out of the blocks; with an absolute burst from the big six-litre V12 under the hood and a cracking exhaust note, which is as beautiful to the ear as the sculptured car is to the eye; was the DB9 Sport. With 335kW of power and 570Nm of torque, a top-speed of 300km (not tested), and covering 0-100km/h in 4.9 seconds, you know you have a true performance vehicle at your hands. Engulfed by luxurious fittings, feeling very much as one with this tremendously well-balanced machine, it's impossible not to enjoy this experience. With 80 per cent of the V12 engine's pulling power available from as little as 1500rpm, the DB9 relaxes on the open road, with an astonishing mid-range performance which offers instant overtaking power almost regardless of engine speed, or even which gear has been selected. With the DB9 parked safely back in the Solitaire garage at Mile End, next to roll on to Adelaide roads was the V8 Vantage Roadster. This stunning drop top embodies the qualities that are integral to Aston Martin; power, beauty and soul. It's a sports car and a show piece . . . bringing equal pleasure whether it's being driven hard or for others to enjoy its fine looks. That said, the Vantage Roadster packs a 283kW, 410Nm, 4.3-litre V8 under the bonnet and is capable of doing 0-100km in five seconds and has a top speed of 280km/h; it's light weight and efficient aerodynamics the key to its performance. Don't fancy a soft-top, then the original Vantage coupe is the way to go; the same 283kW and 410Nm pushing 80kg less and the state limit is shattered in five seconds. Aston's answer to the Porsche 911, has a V8 that's endowed with a glorious howl and it's all fired through the limited slip-diff rear end; using a mid-mounted six-speed manual or optional Sportshift automated manual gearbox. It's a body work of bonded aluminium alloy, steel, composite, and magnesium but surprisingly still weighs just over 1600kg. Calling it head-turning is under-selling the reaction, such is the handsome shape. Whole bodies pivot to watch Aston Martin cars drive by and it's easy to see why.  

Members of the P1 performance club get the pick of some of the world's hottest and most expensive supercars, including brands such as Ferrari, Aston Martin and Lamborghini. P1 Australia director Peter Dempsey says the club has 12 cars and plans to add one new car for every extra five members."With our collection they can take any car out that suits them," he says. The cars are divided into five categories, the top one featuring the most expensive cars, such as a Ferrari F430 Spider and soon a Scaglietti, an Aston Martin DB9 Volante and Vanquish and a Lamborghini Murcielago.Other cars in the mix include a Bentley Continental GT, a Ferrari F430, Aston Martin V8 Vantage and various Porsches. The lower categories might not be quite as impressive, but they'll still turn heads. A BMW M5 and Z4 M Coupe, a Range Rover Sport and a Lotus Exige S2, add to the list.Dempsey says a Hummer H2 will be next to arrive, dressed with a leather package. He is also expecting the arrival of the Audi R8. But getting to drive your dream cars doesn't come cheap."There's a joining fee of $5000 and then there are three different levels of membership, $27,000, $32,000 or $36,500," Dempsey says.Top-end members have a possible 70 driving days a year, with the cheaper membership offering 50 days a year.The company originated in England six years ago, and was co-founded by former Formula One world champion Damon Hill.After two months of operation, the Sydney branch has 50 members. "In Sydney, we cap it at 150 members," Dempsey says. "That's a reflection of the sizeof commercial property that is available to store the cars."The founding British club has 74 cars, including a Ford GT and an Aerial Atom. But Dempsey says they haven't been able to bring these models, as the Atom isn't road legal in Australia and customs won't allow the GT in as it is a left-hand drive. "(But) we're the only ones doing it with the supercars, brand new cars," he says.And it seems that it's not just the usual suspects, the wealthy bankers, lawyers and financiers, who are getting on board.Dempsey says members come from all walks of life and include a greengrocer and a professional golfer. Doctors, dentists, solicitors and barristers are also taking up the chance to get behind the wheel of some amazing cars.The youngest member is a 22-year-old refrigeration engineer from western Sydney.The club takes care of all insurance, maintenance and storage fees and Dempsey says one of the main benefits is that members don't have to worry about huge depreciation on the vehicles."With high taxation, people understand that they're better off putting half a million dollars in an investment and getting to play the field (with) the cars," he says.And while the majority of those taking up the membership are male, Dempsey says women are also driving them as a memberships include two names as drivers."Often guys show the interest and then bring their wives on board as the second name driver," he says.The cars can be taken out for as little as a day, or it can run into months -- depending on members' wants and needs.Dempsey says the weather often forecasts what vehicles will be popular, with the convertibles a hit on the sunny weekends.A second British branch of the club opened in 2004 in Manchester.The Australian section will expand in March, when a Melbourne club is opened, with Formula One driver Mark Weber in attendance again. And Dempsey says that P1 International is also looking towards expanding into Dubai and Hong Kong.