Aston Martin V12 Zagato 2011 review

         Aston Martin has revealed the 2011 Aston Martin v12 Zagato Concept developed in collaboration with the Italian design house Zagato based on the V12 Vantage to celebrating the sensational iconic DB4GT Zagator's  50th anniversary, which the first DB4GT Zagator  shown to the public in late 1960 as a racing car. 

        The Aston Martin V12 Zagato has 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. Engine has all alloy quad overhead cam 48 valve 5935cc V12 Compression ratio 10.9:1 Front mid-mounted engine, rear wheel drive.

       The 2011 Aston Martin V12 Zagato Concept engine is powered by a 6.0-liter V12 engine that produces 510 HP and 420 lb.-ft of torque. The 2011 Aston Martin V12 Zagato Concept engine is paired with to a rear-mounted six-speed automated manual transmission with auto shift manual/select shift manual (ASM/SSM) electric hydraulic control system that sends the power to the rear wheels, which the 2011 Aston Martin V12 Zagato Concept racing version will be fitted with full rollcage, uprated six-piston brakes.

Specification

          * Type of engine: 6.0-litre V12

          * Power bhp (kW) at RPM: 510 bhp

          * Body Type: Two door, two seat coupe body

          * Transmission: six-speed automated manual gearbox with auto shift manua

Aston Martin V8 Vantage S review

         The Aston Martin have f 4.7 litre V8 engine has been engineered to deliver peak power of 430 bhp (436 PS / 321 kW) at 7300 rpm and torque of 490 Nm (361 lb.ft) at 5000 rpm and is coupled with a new ground-up developed Sportshift™ II transmission specifically designed for the Vantage S with seven short ratio gears to deliver the most engaging and intense driver involvement.

         With a kerb weight of 1.58 tons, (66lb less than the equivalent standard Vantage), this is a quick, but not lightning-fast car, so even if the engine tells you it's gone to warp-factor 11, you'll need all the revs when overtaking. And that means more fuel. With a Combined consumption of 21.9mpg and CO2 emissions in Band M (299g/km), this is never going to be a particularly cheap car to run.   

         The Vantage S thumps a 32-valve, 4.7-litre V8 that ragingly roars more or less above 4,000 rpm, or pretty much all the time when the Sport mode is activated. It develops 430 horsepower (at 7,300 revs thank you) and 361 pound-feet of torque of which three-quarters is available from 1,500 rpm, resulting in wild but controlled launches. Figure a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of about 4.7 seconds.

Specifications

          * Transmission: Rear mid-mounted six speed manual gearbox.

          * Power bhp (kW) at RPM: 420 bhp 

          * Body Type: Two seat, two door coupe or soft cover convertible top body style 

          * Acceleration 0-60 mph s:  4.7 seconds

          * Fuel economy: 21.9mpg

          * CO2 emissions: 299g/km

          * Price (est): £102,500

Aston Martin Virage review

          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.

          Engine drives the rear wheels via a carbon-fibre propeller shaft and a six speed ZF automatic transaxle. It's a smooth operator if not over endowed with low down torque, so you need to keep the revs up, although that's no hardship with a whooshing wailing exhaust note, only slightly marred by whistling belt drives on our test car.

           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.

Specifications

            * Type of engine: All-alloy, quad overhead camshaft, 48-valve, V12

            * Power bhp (kW) at RPM: 490 bhp at 6500 rpm

            * Body Type: Two-door Coupe

            * Connectivity: Bluetooth telephone preparation

            * Price (est): £150,000

Aston Martin V12 Vantage review

          The Aston Martin Vantage has broken cover with a 12 cylinder model featuring some new exterior design and performance technology that should bring the aging Vantage back into relevance. The Aston Martin V12 Vantage, as the new British sports car is aptly called, gets a big bump in power and a new stability control system to help put it to the road.

         Although the 5.9 liters V 12 lacks the latest tricks there’s no direct fuel injection or even variable valve timing those deficiencies won’t be on your mind when you shift out of fifth gear at the 6800 rpm redline and find the V 12 still pulling with an alarming surge past 170 mph in sixth gear, toward a top speed of 190 mph.

           First impressions are dominated by the engine, which is hard to ignore. Although the drama builds as you climb into the figure-hugging, optional carbon shell seats fitted to our car, the V12 is the undoubted star of the show. From the moment you get behind the wheel and push the sapphire tipped key into the dash, the pulsating engine note fills the cabin with a deep.

Specifications

            * Type of engine: DBS-Sourced V12

            * Horsepower: 510 hp @ 6500 rpm

            * Acceleration 0-60 mph s:: 4.1 seconds

            * Max speed: 190 mph

            * Price (est): £135,000

Aston Martin DBS review

       The DBS is manufactured using the finest materials, with a combination of hand-finishing and pioneering high-technology processes. From the exceptional quality of the design and finish to the advanced production techniques employed to save weight and create strength, the DBS is both a technological masterpiece and a powerful visual and tactile experience, inside and out.

       The engine produces 60bhp more than the DB9 and provides the DBS with an inexorable urge; 0-62mph time is 4.3sec. But it is driving the DBS for long distances on challenging roads when the power, flexibility and sound of six litres at work combine to create an unremitting, addictive delight, the V12 providing fine entertainment even when just burbling slowly through a village. Steering is ideally weighted and those huge ceramic brakes are very, very comforting.

        The interior of the DBS represents the epitome of Aston Martin's commitment to using materials honestly, without disguise or embellishment. Lightweight materials are used throughout to save weight; door pulls are made from carbon-fiber, for example, and the carpet has been woven with lighter fibers to save weight. Special semi-aniline leather is used throughout the cabin, saving weight as well as giving a soft feel and distinctive aroma.

Specifications

          * Type of engine: V12

          * Power bhp (kW) at RPM: 510(380) / 6500

          * Weight lb (kg): 3737 (1695)

          * Top Speed mph (km/h): 191 (302)

          * CO2 emissions: 388g/km

          * Price (est): £162,500