Since its launch in 2005, the V8 Vantage has become the most successful model developed by the British sports car manufacturer. It is esteemed for its performance and its handling capabilities, expressing its race-bred credentials whilst still perfect for everyday use. Accelerated by its all-aluminium 4.7–litre V8 engine, which delivers 426 bhp and 470Nm to the road, it is capable of sprints from zero to one hundred kph in 4.9 seconds, delivering a top speed of 290 kph, delighting its continuously growing fan base.

Based on this successful foundation, Aston Martin has un-wrapped an irresistible offer. The Aston Martin Vantage 4.7 special edition will be particularly interesting for new potential customers and current owners who have already flirted with the idea of owning a new V8 Vantage. It comes to market in a popular Coupe specification with the 6-speed manual transmission. As an option, customers can also select the Sportshift six-speed automated manual transmission with aluminium shift paddles.

Finished exclusively in Onyx Metallic Black and race-inspired silver grille-surround as a visual highlight, the Aston Martin Vantage 4.7 presents itself in a masculine suite. This is further accentuated by the black mesh bonnet louvers and side strakes, and silver Vantage 7-spoke alloy wheels and grey brake callipers.

The vehicle interior speaks the same language. The interior is dominated by Obsidian Black leather, accented with contrasting silver stitching, and leather seat inserts tailored in black Alcantara.
Anthracite shaded Alcantara also sets the tone for the headlining. The instrument panel is presented in a Gunmetal Alloy design, with the centre console in a Graphite finish. The steering wheel is covered in Obsidian Black Alcantara which completes the aggressive but elegant look of the Aston Martin Vantage 4.7.

Despite the sports character of this special edition, the engineers did not stop short on including comfort features such as satellite navigation system and rear park distance control among a long list of special features. This special model complements the V8 Vantage model line-up, as a number of these standard features are usually only offered as an option or are only available on the
Aston Martin Vantage 4.7 special edition.

In addition, customers have the choice amongst a short list of extra features, such as the Aston Martin 700 Watt Premium Audio System or the 1000 W Bang & Olufsen BeoSound Audio system, Heated Front Seats, Bluetooth Telephone Preparation, Cruise Control, Alarm Upgrade, Auto Dimming Interior Rear View Mirror, Front Parking Sensors and Memory function for both seats and mirrors.
The base net price for the Aston Martin Vantage 4.7 special edition in Italy is €85,061.00 (plus local duties and taxes).
However, this offer is limited – not by quantity, but this time in its availability. The offer on this special edition is only valid from the 13th until the 30th of September 2011. Deliveries to customers will take place before year end 2011.
Jeffrey L Scott, Managing Director Aston Martin Lagonda of Europe, said: “With the Vantage 4.7 special edition we have put our top-seller in an outfit with a special wow-factor. This is a very attractive product and value that should make this special edition not only appealing to existing owners, but also makes the brand irresistible to newcomers.”

Info: www.astonmartinmedia.com

PR & Press Aston Martin Italy
Davide Ciliberti
Purple & Noise PR
ufficiostampa@purpleandnoise.com

Gaydon, Warwickshire, 12 September 2011.  Aston Martin will premiere two striking new Carbon Edition DBS sports cars at the Frankfurt Motor Show on 13 September 2011. Following on from the success of the DBS Carbon Black, introduced in 2009, the 2011 DBS Carbon Edition will be available in two new colours including Flame Orange and Ceramic Grey together with the existing Carbon Black. Each DBS will undergo Aston Martin’s unique paint process receiving seven layers of paint together with a 25 hour hand flat-and-polish finish resulting in a glass veneer normally the reserve of jewellery production.

A first for Aston Martin is the option to specify a satin lacquer paint finish, creating a silk-like texture.
The DBS Carbon Edition features 10-spoke gloss black diamond turned wheels with a reversed diamond turned or full gloss black finish as an option. Complementing the wheels, black brake calipers will be delivered as standard with yellow, orange, red or grey as an option.  Harmonising with the exterior finish is a warm black grille, carbon fibre mirror heads, carbon rear lamp in-fills and smoked rear lights creating a DBS specification like never before.

The cosseting and inviting interior of the coupe plays host to the familiar swathes of obsidian black or maranello orange semi-aniline leather. This type of leather is more natural looking and softer to touch. The interior of a DBS Carbon Edition will take in excess of 70 man hours to hand stitch and finish.

On the DBS Carbon Edition coupe, the headlining is quilted in leather providing a luxurious envelope to the cabin. Immediately distinguishing the Carbon Edition from a standard DBS is the carbon fibre facia with a carbon weave that has been positioned exactly to follow the form of the dashboard. Only by hand can the fibres be laid to create a perfectly aligned weave.
The magnesium alloy paddles that control the Touchtronic II automatic gearbox are tipped with carbon fibre bringing the Carbon Edition direct to the fingertips. A unique carbon fibre special edition sill plaque with laser etched metal inlay completes the specification.
The standard DBS has recently been updated to feature the new Aston Martin Garmin satellite navigation system possessing improved graphics and intuition to provide a sleeker user experience. Beam blade windscreen wipers are also a new feature providing reduced wind noise and a cleaner wipe, even at high speeds.

DBS Carbon Edition prices start at £186,582 (€257,912/$287,576) for the coupe and £196,581 (€272,913/$302,576) for the Volante with customer deliveries expected from quarter one 2012.
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About the DBS

The DBS was launched in 2007 and is Aston Martin’s ultimate GT sports car. Benefitting from weight saving materials including aluminium and carbon fibre; the DBS offers dynamic and aesthetic purity, an exquisite interior and a driving experience unsurpassed by any other car in its coupe and Volante forms. Its hand built V12 engine produces 380 kW (510 bhp / 517 PS) making it one of the most powerful production cars Aston Martin has ever made. In 2009, the DBS ‘Volante’ (Aston Martin’s nomenclature for convertible) joined the DBS line-up. The DBS has surpassed all sales expectations, and was uniquely launched through the now-famous chase scene in the James Bond film Casino Royale. Since its debut it has firmly established itself as a global favourite among customers, critics and fans alike.

For more information please visit: www.astonmartinmedia.com

PR & Press Aston Martin (Italy)
Davide Ciliberti
Purple & Noise PR
ufficiostampa@purpleandnoise.com

Following encouraging customer reaction, V12 Zagato road car to go into production in 2012

• Strictly limited run of up to 150 examples, prices from £330,000 GBP (exc. local taxes)
• Hand assembled at Aston Martin’s global headquarters at Gaydon

7 July 2011, Gaydon. Aston Martin confirms production of a strictly limited number of the new V12 Zagato following its successful unveilings. After winning the award for Design in the Concepts and Prototypes class at the prestigious Villa D’ Este Concours and then going on to prove its durability with the successful completion of the gruelling 39^th ADAC Nürburgring 24 Hour race, Aston Martin confirms that there is overwhelmingly encouraging interest from customers to confirm production of the V12 Zagato.

Based on the acclaimed V12 Vantage and sporting a beautifully handcrafted aluminium and carbon fibre body, the V12 Zagato will be produced in very limited numbers for discerning customers.  Orders are now being taken on a strictly first come first served basis and production is expected to commence during summer 2012 at Aston Martin’s global headquarters at Gaydon, Warwickshire.

Of the V12 Zagato, Aston Martin’s Chief Executive Dr. Ulrich Bez, said: “Such style, exclusivity and fastidious craftsmanship ensures it will be one of the most highly coveted models in Aston Martin’s 98-year history. A fabulous celebration of the iconic DB4GT Zagato, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, the V12 Zagato is the perfect inspiration for the next 50 years of Aston Martin.”

In honour of the performance and racing heritage of previous collaborations, the first two V12 Zagatos were developed as endurance race cars from the start and went into their track debut just a week after being shown to the public for the first time on the shores of Lake Como, Italy at the Villa D’Este Concours.

Entering the new V12 Zagatos in this year’s Nürburgring 24 Hour on 25^th/26^th June extended the company’s racing philosophy at the famous circuit. For five years Aston Martin has signed-off its new products by entering a car which is as close to the road car as possible and subjecting it to the toughest 24 hour test on what best simulates the extremities of public roads. This year went a step further by testing two cars at their prototype stage; combining forces to successfully cover more than 230 laps and over 3,700 miles in the 24 hour race at what Sir Jackie Stewart famously called ‘The Green Hell’.

Since opening in 2003, 13 new major production car Aston Martins have been developed and successfully brought to production at Gaydon, demonstrating the company’s ability to engineer and bring to reality cars in a shortened period of time. Design work on the V12 Zagato began in mid-2010 with initial engineering following in January 2011.

True to both Aston Martin and Zagato, the V12 Zagato is the pinnacle of a special and exclusive offering which matches its long standing heritage with the technology and craftsmanship of today.

Marek Reichman, Aston Martin’s Director of Design said: “The V12 Zagato is an elegant yet brutal design which reflects the great balance between race performance and pure Aston Martin style.

“The original DB4GT Zagato was a true icon, powerful and graceful; the new design is a true representation of the spirit of DB4GT Zagato. The muscular organic forms define the thoroughbred nature of the car’s racing credentials.”

Featuring a handcrafted aluminium and carbon fibre body, the V12 Zagato delivers a beautiful and muscular design not possible using pre-formed panel techniques. Using the influences and skill of nearly 100 years of heritage in the craft, every aluminium panel was formed using an English wheel and traditionally crafted body bucks.  Iconic Zagato design cues include the double bubble roof created in this case from five separate pieces illustrating further the intensity of craftsmanship involved in the construction of the V12 Zagato.

Designed for the focused driver, the V12 Zagato has been honed with pure driving enjoyment in mind. The V12 Zagato combines Aston Martin’s most dynamic bonded aluminium platform with the power of the 6.0-litre V12 engine producing 510 bhp (380 kW / 517 PS), and 570 Nm (420 lb ft) of torque.

The strictly limited Aston Martin V12 Zagato is on sale now, priced at £330,000 GBP (exc. local taxes) with first deliveries expected from the second half of 2012.

PR & Press Aston Martin (Italy)
Davide Ciliberti
Purple & Noise PR
ufficiostampa@purpleandnoise.com

A flavour of the Aston Martin On Track event that took place earlier this year. The event gave a group of Italian journalists the chance to experience one of the world’s most famous racetracks in a safe yet dynamic environment.

Aston Martin DBS, Rapide, V8 Vantage S and Virage.

· In 50th anniversary year of the iconic DB4GT Zagato, Aston Martin introduces a modern interpretation of the famous Aston Martin and Zagato collaboration
· New V12 Zagato concept to be premiered at the Villa D’Este Concours on 21st May to gauge customer interest
· The V12 Zagato will appear in the form of an endurance race car to compete at the Nürburgring 24 hour race on 25/26 June; following tradition of recent new Aston Martins

Gaydon / Lake Como, 20 May 2011 – Aston Martin will unveil the stunning new V12 Zagato endurance racer concept on the shores of Lake Como, Italy at the Villa D’Este Concours tomorrow.

Reviving a collaboration which has produced some of the most beautiful and sought-after cars in the world, the partnership takes inspiration from the past, to create a modern descendent of classics such as the DB4GT Zagato, V8 Vantage Zagato and DB7 Zagato based on Aston Martin’s ultimate performance interpretation of the Vantage range: the V12 Vantage.

Dr Ulrich Bez, CEO of Aston Martin said: “The Zagato design language is a perfect complement to our design and engineering expertise. After 50 years of the two companies being associated with each other the partnership has produced some of the world’s most iconic cars”.

“Of course, fifty years ago Italian design houses were widely seen as leading the way with new designs but now and supported by our independency, Aston Martin has its own in-house design ability so this new venture with Zagato is more collaborative than it perhaps would have been in the past.
The task for us has been to create a concept that is a natural successor to those iconic cars that have gone before. Matching the technology of the age with the traditional skills vital to deliver such a bespoke and exclusive sports car will lead to a strictly limited run of road going V12 Zagatos.”

Work began in 2010 with initial meetings between Aston Martin and Zagato where sketches incorporating the design DNA of both companies were discussed and a decision was made to proceed with the project.

Director of Design, Marek Reichman added: “The Design team at Gaydon spent time refining the concept using a mixture of the latest computer based modelling techniques along with crafting traditional clay models to give a real world idea of proportion, stance and detail.”

“The V12 Zagato is an elegant yet brutal design which reflects the great balance between race performance and pure Aston Martin style. The original DB4GT Zagato was a true icon, powerful and graceful; the new design is a true representation of the spirit of DB4GT Zagato. The muscular organic forms define the thoroughbred nature of the car’s racing credentials.”

Working alongside the initial design team was a dedicated group of Aston Martin engineers led by Chris Porritt – previously responsible for the engineering of the One-77. With the skills and knowledge gained from such specialised projects this team has worked to bring the unique design of the V12 Zagato to reality in a very short period of time.

Featuring a new handcrafted aluminium body, the V12 Zagato delivers a beautiful and  muscular design not possible using pre-formed panel techniques. Using the influences and skill of nearly 100 years of heritage in the craft, every aluminium panel was formed using an English wheel and traditionally crafted body bucks.  Each front wing alone comprises seven separate pieces of aluminium, combined and then hand finished to give one flowing form.  Another iconic Zagato design cue is the double bubble roof created in this case from five  separate pieces illustrating further the intensity of craftsmanship involved in the construction of the V12 Zagato.
Designed for the focused driver, the V12 Zagato has been honed with

 pure driving enjoyment in mind. The V12 Zagato combines Aston Martin’s most dynamic bonded aluminium platform with the power of the 6.0-litre V12 engine producing 510 bhp (380 kW / 517 PS), and 570 Nm (420 lb ft) of torque.
The V12 Vantage which forms the basis of the V12 Zagato has been proven on the race track as early as 2009 with a class win in its debut race at the 24 hour race at Nürburgring in close to production specification. In 2011 the car has gone on to form the basis of the new Aston Martin GT3 race car unveiled last month.

The first DB4GT Zagato shown to the public in late 1960 spent much of its life as a racing car after launch. Later perhaps the two most famous DB4GT Zagatos, registered ‘1 VEV’ and ‘2 VEV’ were raced with success by such names as Jim Clark and Roy Salvadori. The fascinating story of these cars and the nature of high performance and low weight which drove the Zagato projects gave the inspiration for the first two V12 Zagatos to be created as endurance race cars.

The racing debut of the V12 Zagato will be at the 53. ADAC ACAS H&R-Cup VLN round at the Nürburgring on 28th May with a view to two cars racing at the 24 hour race on 25/26 June.  The cars will be driven by an experienced driver team, led for the sixth year by Chief Executive Dr. Ulrich Bez.
The Aston Martin V12 Zagato will be shown for the first time at the Villa D’Este Concours on Saturday 21st May 2011.

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For further information visit: www.astonmartinmedia.com

 PR & Press Aston Martin (Italy)
Davide Ciliberti
Purple & Noise PR
ufficiostampa@purpleandnoise.com

Aston Martin and Zagato reunited for a new project in the 50th anniversary year of the DB4GT Zagato
· First outcome of the new collaboration to debut at the Villa D’Este concours in Italy from 21st May
· Aston Martin and Zagato first collaborated on the DB4GT Zagato; later debuted in race car form at Goodwood in 1961

Gaydon, 11th May 2011 – Aston Martin announces an exciting new collaboration with renowned Italian design house Zagato in the 50th anniversary year of the iconic DB4GT Zagato. The first product of this renewed working partnership will be shown for the first time at the famous Villa D’Este Concours on 21st May 2011, with a racing debut at Nürburgring later in the month.

Aston Martin and Zagato have enjoyed a long and fruitful relationship since their first collaboration which culminated in the production of the now iconic DB4GT Zagato 50 years ago.

Dr. Ulrich Bez, Chief Executive said: “The DNA of both Aston Martin and Zagato has combined successfully to make some of the world’s most desirable collector cars in the past and in this special anniversary year of the DB4GT Zagato it is appropriate to explore a modern collaboration.
“Now is the right time for a new Aston Martin Zagato and in combining our design intelligence I think we can create something fitting of the iconic DB4GT Zagato that has gone before and since established itself as one of the most famous Aston Martins of all time.”

Work on the new Aston Martin Zagato collaboration is well under way with an initial concept to be presented at the Villa D’Este Concours in May to gauge initial customer reaction with a view to a production car following in 2012.
Aston Martin Design Director, Marek Reichman added: “Being an independent company our designers are able to collaborate with a broad spectrum of organisations and individuals to seek new and exciting ideas and inspiration.
“Working with Zagato again in 2011 is inspirational for the team – certainly DB4GT Zagato is one of my favourite ever designs as it is with many of the designers in our studio. I think we can create a truly modern Aston Martin interpretation which stays true to the historical routes of the relationship with Zagato.”

The first partnership between Aston Martin and Zagato came to fruition in 1961 after     Aston Martin sought to remove even more weight from the very special DB4GT. In the search of an ever lighter and higher performance version, Aston Martin approached Zagato, a company renowned for such projects. Managing Director, Elio Zagato and Technical Director Gianni Zagato along with a talented team managed to draft the main designs of the DB4GT Zagato in just one week.

After previewing the car late in 1960 at the London Motor Show to great acclaim, Aston Martin began taking orders from customers and production of this exclusive car began in 1961.  Of the original 19 DB4GT Zagato built, all still survive and are held in pride of place within some of the worlds greatest car collections. The first car built and used to unveil to the public was later was raced extensively beginning with its debut at Goodwood in 1961.

Of all of the DB4GT Zagatos, three were built to a lightweight racing specification designated within Aston Martin as DP209 (Design Project Number). Among these were perhaps the two most famous DB4 GT Zagatos, ordered by the Essex Racing Stable and registered as ‘1 VEV’ and ‘2 VEV’. These cars were raced successfully by great names such as Jim Clark and Roy Salvadori.  In tribute to this racing heritage the product of this great partnership in 2011, 50 years on, will be campaigned in endurance racing, commencing at the Nürburgring on 28th May.

25 years after this first collaboration between Aston Martin and Zagato the two companies joined forces again in 1986 to design and build a limited number of the V8 Vantage Zagato and then later the V8 Zagato Volante. The former of the two cars, based upon the highly acclaimed V8 Vantage, was heralded as one of the most dynamic Aston Martins offering performance figures of 0-60mph in 4.8 seconds and a top speed of 186mph (300 kph).
A more recent project took place with the design and production of the DB7 Zagato. Launched to the world at the Paris Motor Show in 2002 with production following in 2003; 99 examples were built for sale with number 100 kept by Aston Martin. Further to the announcement of the DB7 Zagato a great deal of interest was shown by customers in the USA for a version suited specifically to the climates of Florida and California and thus the collaboration extended to an identical number of DB-AR1 (American Roadster 1) being produced. Similar in styling to the DB7 Zagato but built as a pure two-seat roadster with no roof the DB AR1 answered this demand perfectly.

50 years on from the first meeting of the two companies the new collaboration from Aston Martin and Zagato will be shown for the first time at the Villa D’Este Concours held on the shores of Lake Como Italy on Saturday 21st May 2011.

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For further information and images please use the contact details below or alternatively visit: www.astonmartinmedia.com.

PR & Press Aston Martin (Italy)
Davide Ciliberti
Purple & Noise PR
ufficiostampa@purpleandnoise.com

Lancio Stampa. Ronda (Spagna), marzo 2011

Aston Martin introduces the new Virage – supremely elegant and powerful, yet juxtaposed as an understated sports car. The marque can now provide customers with a class-leading range, all with different characters, yet with the same unique Aston Martin soul and luxury.

Beautiful, dynamic and prestigious, the Virage combines outright sports car performance with luxury, comfort and refinement. The front mid-mounted V12 engine’s torque delivery provides outstanding performance, coupled with the car’s inherent agility and perfect weight distribution delivering the ideal balance between outright sports car performance and trademark sporting luxury exemplified by modern Aston Martins.

Press launch. Ronda (Spagna), March 2011

· The highest levels of refinement and dynamic control yet, resulting from seven years of  VH architecture evolution
· The new Virage offers customer greater choice of individual sports car characters yet with the same consistent Aston Martin DNA
· Virage and Virage Volante complete the Aston Martin sporting GT line-up sitting between DBS and DB9
· Set for world debut at the Geneva Motor Show on 1 March, 2011

Gaydon, 23 February 2011 –  Aston Martin introduces the new Virage – supremely elegant and powerful, yet juxtaposed as an understated sports car. The marque can now provide customers with a class-leading range, all with different characters, yet with the same unique Aston Martin soul and luxury.
Beautiful, dynamic and prestigious, the Virage combines outright sports car performance with luxury, comfort and refinement. The front mid-mounted V12 engine’s torque delivery provides outstanding performance, coupled with the car’s inherent agility and perfect weight distribution delivering the ideal balance between outright sports car performance and trademark sporting luxury exemplified by modern Aston Martins.
Aston Martin CEO, Dr Ulrich Bez said: “100 years of automotive history has demonstrated that evolution delivers the best solutions in time.”
“So it is with Virage; it is the next level of evolution in our VH architecture strategy and it does everything with the perfection that you would expect today. It is the perfect balance of opposites.”

The Virage sits between the enduringly elegant DB9 and overtly sporting DBS, providing customers with a car that remains luxurious and understated but delivers increased performance and crucially performance that is always accessible for effortless driving.
Aston Martin’s revered hand-built 6.0 litre V12 engine produces 490 bhp (365 kW/497 PS)  and 570 nM (420 lb. Ft) of torque and through its carbon fibre prop shaft, is mated to a six-speed Touchtronic II automatic transmission mounted on the transaxle contributing to perfect 50:50 weight balance.

The Virage’s dynamics have been tuned to deliver an engaging yet more refined driving experience, where the driver can extract the maximum performance from the car with greater ease. A newly developed Adaptive Damping System (ADS) intelligently ‘reads’ the road to provide optimum road holding, adapting to different conditions. The system now selects up to five different stiffness settings within normal mode, and a further five stiffer settings within sport mode.

Aiding driver control, a ‘Sport’ button on the facia allows the driver to select a sharper throttle response and faster gear changes while also holding the gears without automatically shifting up at the revolution limiter.
Virage will be delivered with Carbon Ceramic Matrix (CCM) brakes as standard – bucking the trend in this market – offering progressive and tremendous stopping power. Powerful, resistant to fade and much lighter than conventional cast-iron discs, the CCM braking system means that not only is the overall vehicle weight reduced, but the weight saving at each wheel means that a better balance between ride comfort and handling can be struck. Lower rotational mass also provides improved acceleration.

Virage capitalises on the technology from the DBS and unites it with the comfort and refinement found in the DB9 and Rapide. Aston Martin’s own bonded aluminium ‘VH’ architecture that forms the backbone of the marque’s sports cars, takes inspiration from the aerospace industry where weight reduction is the ultimate goal. Strong yet light, the inherent properties of modular aluminium lend themselves perfectly to an extremely rigid and versatile platform which allows the production of a Virage coupe and Volante.

The Virage sits low and wide asserting the power which lies beneath; single bi-xenon headlamps follow the lines of the car’s flanks to give a more crisp and modern look from the front. A new aluminium metal front grille, inspired by the One-77, features five horizontal vanes which are chamfered creating an aerofoil profile. The new front bumper is pure and relieves the car of any visual complexities, contributing to the overall simplicity of design. The front wings distinguish the Virage from its stable mates housing a new modern interpretation of the Aston Martin iconic side strake housing six LEDs elegantly forming the side repeater. Virage’s side sills carry the simplicity of the front bumper through to the rear diffuser which houses a body-coloured blade accentuating the width of the car.

As drivers and passengers open the signature swan wing doors, they are greeted by the aroma of seven hides of the finest Bridge of Weir leather expertly hand stitched by craftsmen. Inspiration has been taken from luxury leather goods to produce a pinstripe welt which flows down either side of the facia and along the seat and door, drawing your eye through the car. Each Virage will have 70 man hours of expert craftsmanship lavished on the interior alone to create the famous sophisticated Aston Martin interior. In all, over 200 man hours will be spent handcrafting the Virage at Aston Martin’s global headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire, England as it becomes the tenth major production car to be built there in the space of less than eight years.

Simplicity runs throughout the car with the new fully integrated Satellite Navigation system that has been developed in conjunction with Garmin. The new system simplifies operation through the existing four-way joystick mounted on the facia. A new 6.5 inch high resolution display uses the latest graphics and maps to visually and aurally guide the driver to their destination.
Standard equipment includes heated seats (Sports seats only), cruise control, satellite navigation, Bluetooth telephone preparation and the powerful 700W Aston Martin Premium Audio System with Dolby® Pro Logic II® and full iPod® integration.

The Virage and Virage Volante are on sale now, available from Aston Martin’s global dealership network spanning 132 dealerships in 41 countries. Pricing for the new Virage will be confirmed at the Geneva Motor Show where it will be joined by two further new cars; the V8 Vantage S and the new Tailor-Fit Cygnet city car, all of which will be brought to production in the UK by Aston Martin in 2011.

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Notes to editors:
What’s in a name?
virage m (French Noun)
1. bend, turn, curve
2. change, shift (in orientation)
Aston Martin’s use of nomenclature beginning with a ‘V’ dates back to the optional ‘Vantage’ engine on the 1950s DB2. So when the DP2034 (an internal design project number) had to be found a name in 1985, the hunt began for an evocative word to carry on this tradition.  The call went out to the factory’s craftsmen, its customers and to the Aston Martin Owners Club, ending in the collation of hundreds of suggestions. Eventually the then Chairman, Victor Gauntlett, and his Directors chose Virage to be the moniker of an all new car destined to open a new chapter in the company’s history.

For further information and images please alternatively: www.astonmartinmedia.com.

PR & Press Aston Martin (Italy)
Davide Ciliberti
Purple & Noise PR
ufficiostampa@purpleandnoise.com

ASTON MARTIN VIRAGE  – SPECIFICATIONS

Body:
Two door coupe or Volante (convertible) body style with 2+2 seating
Bonded aluminium structure. Aluminium, magnesium alloy and composite body
Extruded aluminium door side impact beams
Single Bi-Xenon Headlamps with integrated LED side lights and direction indicators
LED rear lamps and side repeaters

Engine:
All alloy quad overhead cam 48 valve 5935cc V12.  Compression ratio 10.97:1.
Front mid-mounted engine, rear wheel drive
Fully catalysed stainless steel exhaust system with active bypass valves.

Maximum Power
490 bhp (365 kW / 497 PS) at 6500 rpm

Maximum Torque
570 Nm (420 lb.ft) at 5750 rpm

Acceleration
0-62 mph (100 km/h) in 4.6 seconds

Maximum Speed
186 mph (299 km/h)

Transmission:
Rear mid-mounted six speed manual gearbox. Alloy torque tube with carbon fibre propeller shaft. Limited slip differential. Final Drive Ratio 3.46:1

Steering:
Rack and pinion, Servotronic speed-sensitive power-assisted steering. Column tilt and reach adjustment.

Suspension:
Front:  Independent double wishbone incorporating anti-dive geometry, coil springs, anti-roll bar and monotube adaptive dampers
Rear:  Independent double wishbones with anti- squat and anti-lift geometry, coil springs, anti-roll bar and monotube adaptive dampers
Adaptive Damping System (ADS) with Sport mode.

Wheels:
Front: 8.5” x 20” and Rear: 11” x 20”

Tyres:
Front: Pirelli P Zero 245/35 and Rear: Pirelli P Zero 295/30

Brakes:
Front:  Ventilated Carbon Ceramic discs 398mm diameter with six piston calipers.
Rear:  Ventilated Carbon Ceramic discs 360mm diameter with four piston calipers.
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) with Track mode.
Anti-lock braking system (ABS)
Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)
Emergency Brake Assist (EBA)
Traction Control

Length:  4703 mm (185.2”)
Width:   1904 mm (75.0’’); excluding door mirrors
2061 mm (81.1”); including door mirrors
Height Coupe:  1282 mm (50.5”)
Height Volante: 1289 mm (50.7’’)
Wheelbase:  2740 mm (107.9’’)
Front Track:  1586 mm (62.4’’)
Rear Track:  1581 mm (62.2’’)
Turning Circle: 11.6 m (38 ft) (kerb to kerb)
Boot capacity Coupe: 184 litres (6.5 cu ft)
Boot capacity Volante:152 litres (5.4 cu ft)
Fuel tank capacity: 78 litres (17.15 Imp. Gal. / 20.6 US Gal)
Weight Coupe:  1785 kg (3935 lb)
Weight Volante: 1890 kg (4166 lb)
Interior:
Walnut facia trim and Iridium Silver centre console finish
Memory seats and exterior mirrors (three positions)
Auto dimming rear view mirror and garage door opener (USA and Canada only)
Sports seats with 10 way electric adjustment, including height, tilt and lumbar adjustment.
Dual Stage Driver and Passenger Front Airbags
Side airbags (Sports seats only)
Heated seats (Sports seats only)
Heated rear screen
Automatic temperature control
Organic Electroluminescent (OEL) displays
Trip computer
Cruise control
Satellite navigation system*+
Bluetooth telephone preparation*
Powerfold exterior mirrors
Front and rear parking sensors
Tyre pressure monitoring*
Alarm and immobiliser
Remote-control central door locking and boot release
Battery disconnect switch
Tracking device (UK only)
Boot mounted umbrella

In Car Entertainment
700W Aston Martin Premium Audio System with Dolby® Pro Logic II®
Integrated Apple® iPod® connector
USB connector with Waveform Audio Format (WAF), Windows Media Player (WMA) and MPEG (MP3) audio file compatibility
3.5 mm auxiliary input socket
Satellite Radio system (USA only)

Exterior Options
20” 5 Spoke Alloy Wheels with Diamond Turned and Graphite finish
20” 10 Spoke Alloy Wheels with Liquid Silver finish
20” 10 Spoke Alloy Wheels with Silver Painted and Diamond Turned finish
20” 10 Spoke Alloy Wheels with Graphite Painted and Diamond Turned finish
20” 10 Spoke Alloy Wheels with Satin Black Painted and Diamond Turned finish
‘Titanium’ finish bonnet, side strake and lower front bumper meshes
Bonnet Louvres with ‘Titanium’ finish side strake meshes

Interior Options
2+0 seating (Coupe only)
Lightweight seats with six-way adjustment. (Must be ordered in conjunction with 2+0 seating configuration. Does not include side airbags, or heated seats feature. Not available in USA or Canada)
Satellite Radio system (Canada only)***
Piano Black facia trim
Mahogany facia trim
Bamboo facia trim
Tamo Ash facia trim
Double Apex alloy facia trim
Nexus alloy facia trim
Matching wood door cappings (not available with alloy facia or B&O BeoSound audio system options)
Personalised sill plaques
Auto dimming interior rear view mirror
Auto dimming interior rear view mirror with garage door opener (Europe only)
Alarm upgrade (volumetric and tilt sensor)
Tracking device**
First aid kit
Ashtray and cigar lighter

In Car Entertainment Options
1000W Bang & Olufsen BeoSound audio system with ICEpower technology

*Not available in all markets
+Includes Traffic Messaging Channel (TMC) in Continental Europe
**Complies with UK Thatcham Category 5 requirements. Excludes subscription. Standard in UK
*** Excludes subscription

Please also visit: www.astonmartinmedia.com

PR & Press Aston Martin (Italy): Davide Ciliberti,  Purple & Noise PR  ufficiostampa@purpleandnoise.com