Aston Martin recently unveiled would could prove to be it’s fastest production street car to date. Aston has been trying to prove to the world that it does just fine without Ford. Following the release of the very potent DBS, Aston Martin set out to dominate the European middleweight market and put to shame some of the best that Ferrari and Porsche has to offer. Targeting cars like the Ferrari F430 and GT3 Porsche takes a lot of muscle and style and Aston Martin definitely delivers.

 Starting with it’s Vantage platform, Aston Martin ditches the 4.3 V8 in favor of an earth rattling 6.0 V12 making 600 horsepower and 508 pound feet of torque, The same power plant that can be found in the much larger DBS V12. Oiling is improved via a dry sump setup. The exhaust consist of tuned exhaust manifolds flowing through a similar stainless steel exhaust found on the V8 Vantage. Revised camshafts and improved head design help give the RS a broader power curve. The fire breathing V12 sends all that power to the ground through a revamped 6 speed.

  Carbon fiber pieces are abundant on the RS including a full carbon fiber hood and deck lid. The new Aston also features a carbon fiber spoiler that deploys at high speed for stability. Couple that with a carbon fiber front splitter, and ducts to cool the carbon ceramic brakes the RS would be at home at any local track as much as on the highway headed to your favorite hot spot. With 600 horse power on tap and loads of carbon fiber the RS, weighing in about 400 pounds lighter than its big brother the DBS, rockets to 60 mph at a very impressive 4 seconds flat. Spilling off all that speed is accomplished through 15.6 inch brakes with carbon ceramic pads. Aston Martin began the journey towards the RS hoping to prove it has the capability to produce some of the baddest, most luxurious cars on the road. No doubt its latest offerings prove that point very well.

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Post tags: Aston Martin, RS, V12, Vantage

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Gulf Oil racing colors will adorn a pair of Aston Martin DBR9’s for the famous 24hr Le Mans race in 2008. Gulf Oil’s first Le Mans winning car, the powder blue and orange painted Ford GT40 driven by Pedro Rodriguez and Lucien Bianchi, took the win back in 1968. A car very few of us forget, and even more of us dream about. Since then Gulf has sponsored many other Le Mans contenders such as the Porsche 917, and  in 2001 the Audi Sport UK R8.

The 2008 running of Le Mans marks the 40th anniversary of Gulf Oils first victory. To help celebrate the occasion and, more importantly sponsor the winning team in the world famous endurance race, Gulf teamed up with Aston Martin to field what both parties hope to be the cars that will beat Team Corvette Racing and defend Aston Martins GT1 crown. I think this is one of the sexiest cars i have seen run at Le Mans since the GT 40 and with Gulf’s long racing heritage and Aston Martins ability to produce exceptional racing machines. This friendship smells of victory.

Aston Martin will have 2 DBR9’s running with the Gulf livery in the June event,  #007 and #009. Gulf Oil vice president Alain Dujean said: “This is arguably the most important year ever for Gulf in motorsport. The famous Gulf racing colours first tasted victory at Le Mans in 1968, so 2008 already had great significance for us, but for Gulf to have joined up with Aston Martin Racing for this year is fantastic – the coming together of two great automotive names, for what I hope will be a long and fruitful partnership.”  Aston Martin hopes to keep Corvette Racing at bay in the 08 running of Le Mans, but thats not all they need to worry about. Saleen, Ferrari, and Viper all will be fielding cars that are certainly capable of giving the Astons a run for their money. But I would love to see a Gulf livery Aston take the trophy, especialy in such a big year for Gulf.

© Doc8224 for Modded Autos, 2008. | Permalink | 2 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Aston Martin, DBR9, GT1, Gulf, Le Mans

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Aston Martin swings for the fence in ‘08 with a new V-12 offering. Tagged as the DBS, the 510 horsepower “Top Dog”, as Forbes Magazine calls it, replaces the late great Vanquish S which ceased production in 2006. The DBS is based off the still running DB9 and although they share the same displacement V-12 and basic body design the DBS looks more like a DB9 on steroids than a car of its own.

Nestled under its beautifully crafted vented hood sits the same 5.9L V-12 from the DB9 but with increased stroke, tuned exhaust with bypass valves, and ECU changes, power climbs from the already impressive 450 horsepower to a very respectable 510 horsepower. This rockets the “Healthy” 3730lb Aston from 0-62 mph in only 4.3 seconds. Not bad for a heavyweight luxury performer.

The sleek and sexy lines of the DBS leads you to think of the elegant yet subtle Vanquish of old. But don’t be fooled, the hand assembled DBS is born out of race derived materials, sculpted for amazing aerodynamics through hours of wind tunnel testing, and is as much at home cruising you to the local hot spot as it is tearing up the pavement in the twisty European hills. The Aston Martin DBS is definitely capable of filling the shoes of its late big brother.

© Doc8224 for Modded Autos, 2008. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Aston Martin, DB9, DBS

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