UV-Coated Aston Martin DBS Glows and Goes in Gumball 3000 Rally

The Gumball 3000 Rally brings together swarms of unique supercars, so it can be hard to make a statement, unless your car literally glows. That’s what the owner and driver of an Aston Martin DBS thought before taking his car to Nevana Designs to have it completely covered in a special UV material. More on Motortrend.com:2012 Aston Martin DBS Carbon Volante First Test
Check out the glow-in-the-dark Aston Martin DBS in the photos below. More on Automobilemag.com:First Drive: 2009 Aston Martin DBS Source: Nevana Designs More on Automotive.com:Best Movie Cars

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Would you buy an Aston Martin built in Alabama?

CEO Palmer says state is an "obvious choice"

LONDON -- Aston Martin is set to make a decision on building a second factory, likely to be in the United States, by the end of the year, CEO Andy Palmer said.

The U.S state of Alabama is the “obvious choice” for a new plant to build the upcoming DBX crossover, Palmer told Automotive News Europe. A decision has not been made yet, he said.

Palmer said the UK sports car maker has narrowed potential locations to regions where it will sell the most DBX models.

“Our principal customers will be in the United States and China,” he said. A China location would be difficult because Aston Martin would have to form a joint venture with a local automaker. It is also more difficult to export vehicles from China, Palmer said.

Aston Martin plans to launch the DBX in 2019 as part of its plans to increase annual vehicle sales to 15,000 from 4,000 last year. The automaker has limited room for growth at its factory in Gaydon, central England, which currently builds all Aston Martins.

Palmer said it would be possible to build 15,000 cars a year at the Gaydon factory but it would be a strain. “If went to three shifts we would be at 15,000 a year, so theoretically we could do it but you'd have no room for stoppage for maintenance.” However, expanding Gaydon remains an option, he said.

Car News The Aston Martin DBX crossover is a go

Aston Martin has secured more than $300 million in funds to produce a crossover based on the DBX concept, Automotive News Europe reports. The DBX Concept was unveiled at the Geneva motor show earlier ...

Aston Martin prefers an Alabama location because it would be close to where Daimler builds Mercedes-Benz SUVs, Palmer said.

Daimler has a 5 percent stake in Aston Martin as part of a deal to supply the UK company with high-performance V8 engines and electronic architectures for the firm’s next generation of sports cars, likely to be launched starting next year.

A U.S. plant would likely build the DBX from kits using parts made at Gaydon, Palmer said. “It's not impossible to imagine it acting as a hub and a spoke to our craftsmen in Gaydon,” he said. “One of the mental challenges we need to go through right now is how do you create British craftsmanship and reproduce it somewhere else.”

Last month, the Financial Times reported that Aston has held talks with officials in several U.S. states about a factory to build its first crossover, which would be based on the all-electric, all-wheel-drive DBX concept unveiled at the Geneva auto show in March.

"Aston Martin CEO says Alabama 'obvious choice' for U.S. plant" originally appeared at Automotive News on 5/19/15.

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Aston Martin names new CFO

Aston Martin names new CFONoah Joseph

Aston Martin is on the verge of a resurgence, instituting (among a great many other things) new top leadership, and that includes a new chief financial officer.

Mark Wilson comes to Gaydon with a wealth of experience at British sports car manufacturers, having previously worked for Lotus and McLaren. His most recent posting, however, was as CFO and COO at renewable energy insurer G-Cube Underwriting. He'll take up his new job as Chief Financial Officer (and his place on the executive board) at Aston Martin on June 8, reporting directly to Andy Palmer, who in turn took up his job as CEO just this past September.

Considering Aston was recently injected with an influx of cash, hiring a new money man was probably prudent. But hiring new top personnel, of course, isn't the only change Aston is making. It's got a new platform in the works, a new engine under development with Mercedes-AMG and a raft of new projects in the pipeline. That includes the replacement of every one of its models by the end of the decade and the addition of as many as three new model lines – particularly the DBX crossover that could be the first new Aston built in America.
Show full PR textASTON MARTIN NAMES MARK WILSON AS NEW CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

14 May 2015, Gaydon: Aston Martin today announces the appointment of Mark Wilson as Chief Financial Officer. Joining the business on Monday 8 June, Wilson, will report directly to Aston Martin CEO Dr Andy Palmer and take a place on the Executive Board at the company's global HQ in Gaydon, Warwickshire.

With a strong track record of senior automotive experience already accrued with McLaren Automotive and Lotus Cars Ltd, Wilson joins the luxury British sports car maker from renewable energy insurer G-Cube Underwriting where he held the post of Chief Financial and Operating Officer.

Welcoming Wilson to the team, Dr Palmer said: "Mark joins us at what is, undeniably, an extremely exciting time for Aston Martin. We are currently implementing the largest investment plan in our history which will see a total remake of our product portfolio. By the end of the decade, not only will our current line-up have been replaced entirely, we will have added up to three extra model lines and entered new market segments.

"As our process of product renewal, segment development and market expansion continues I know we will benefit from Mark's extensive automotive experience, his core financial management skill set centred on delivering rigorous cost control and his proven ability to work successfully with multiple investors."

He added: "I'm very much looking forward to working with him as we activate our exciting and ambitious Second Century development plan."

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Aston wants to build DBX on its new platform, not Mercedes'

Aston wants to build DBX on its new platform, not Mercedes'Image Credit: Aston MartinImage Credit: Aston MartinImage Credit: Aston MartinImage Credit: Aston MartinImage Credit: Aston MartinImage Credit: Aston MartinImage Credit: Aston MartinImage Credit: Aston MartinImage Credit: Aston MartinImage Credit: Aston MartinImage Credit: Aston MartinImage Credit: Aston MartinMore PhotosAston Martin Vengeance by Kahn Design2015 Aston Martin Owners Club Spring ConcoursBonhams 16th Annual Aston Martin SaleAston Martin Vengeance by Kahn Design: Design RenderingsAston Martin DB11: Spy ShotsAston Martin On Ice 2015Noah Joseph

Aston Martin is proceeding with plans to launch the DBX as its first production crossover. It just can't say at this point what it will be based on.

Speaking with Automotive News Europe, Aston's new CEO Andy Palmer indicated that basing the DBX on a Mercedes SUV platform would not be its first choice because they "clearly sit in a very different space to the one we want to go" with the DBX. Instead, the company's first choice would be to build the crossover atop the new platform it's developing for its sports cars. "It just depends how high off the ground it could go," said Palmer. "I don't exclude the possibility of using some [Mercedes] parts, but I would say very much the primary route is our platform."

The prospect of building an Aston SUV on Mercedes architecture – namely that of the GL-Class – has been on the table for some time now. The Lagonda SUV concept it showcased at the Geneva show in 2009 was based on the GL, and the two automakers have been forging a tightening alliance in the years since. The British automaker's next-generation engine is to be built by Mercedes-AMG, and it is expected to source other components from the German automaker as well.

For its part, Mercedes has been taking a sportier approach with its latest crossovers, as demonstrated by the GLE Coupe that debuted before the more conventional version and the Concept GLC Coupe that previewed the GLK's replacement in Shanghai last month.

Aston Martin, on the other hand, is building a new sports car platform that will underpin its next generation of luxury GTs, replacing the long-serving VH architecture that has served for decades as the basis for its entire model line. Perhaps the most surprising of ANE's report, though, is that Aston seems to be proceeding with plans to build the DBX apparently without even knowing what platform it will use.Featured GalleryAston Martin DBX Concept

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Kahn Vengeance claims to have Aston Martin's blessing

Kahn Vengeance claims to have Aston Martin's blessingImage Credit: Kahn DesignImage Credit: Kahn DesignImage Credit: Kahn DesignImage Credit: Kahn DesignMore Photos2015 Aston Martin Owners Club Spring ConcoursBonhams 16th Annual Aston Martin SaleAston Martin Vengeance by Kahn Design: Design RenderingsAston Martin DB11: Spy ShotsAston Martin On Ice 2015Aston Martin Lagonda Taraf: Geneva 2015Noah Joseph

Last week we brought you the first renderings of a coachbuilt Aston Martin DB9 called the Vengeance that's being developed by Kahn Design. The emergence of the project raised a valid question: if Aston Martin quashed a similar venture by Henrik Fisker, wouldn't the Kahn Vengeance suffer a similar fate?

Not according to Kahn. In a statement released to the press, company spokesman Mo Bhana said that "unlike the David Brown Speedback GT and recent Fisker Thunderbolt that ended in a lawsuit, there are no copyright issues with the Vengeance since Aston Martin has confirmed they have entered into a supply deal with us."

The incidents Bhana refers to are over two coachbuilder projects that have come up recently and which have drawn the ire of Gaydon. The first is the Speedback GT developed by David Brown Automotive and assembled by a British coachbuilder called Envisage. The latter company also supplies parts and tooling to Aston Martin, which sued Envisage over concerns that its designs were being misappropriated. Given the resemblance of the Speedback to certain classic Astons, and the use of the name David Brown (which happens to be shared by the Speedback's patron and a key figure from Aston's history), reports began circulating that Aston was suing Envisage over the Speedback project, however David Brown Automotive refuted the allegations.

The second was Project Thunderbolt, a rebodied Vanquish designed by Henrik Fisker – the same Danish designer who penned the DB9 and V8 Vantage while serving as Aston's design director before striking out on his own. Despite the former association, Aston objected to Fisker's project, launched a lawsuit against him and only agreed to drop it after Fisker agreed not to produce the Thunderbolt.

Given Aston's track record, fearing that it would go down the same path would seem reasonable, but Kahn apparently doesn't expect any such difficulties with its supplier. And the company does, after all, also have a history of collaborating with coachbuilders - most notably Zagato. We've reached out to Aston Martin itself for confirmation and will update you as soon as we hear back. In the meantime, you can ponder the second set of renderings released and which we've included above.

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#fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-346802{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-346802, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-346802{width:100%;display:block;}Featured GalleryAston Martin Vengeance by Kahn Design

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Aston Martin boss says DBX is about securing the future

Aston Martin boss says DBX is about securing the futureImage Credit: Drew PhillipsImage Credit: Drew PhillipsImage Credit: Drew PhillipsImage Credit: Drew PhillipsImage Credit: Drew PhillipsImage Credit: Drew PhillipsImage Credit: Drew PhillipsImage Credit: Drew PhillipsImage Credit: Drew PhillipsImage Credit: Drew PhillipsImage Credit: Drew PhillipsImage Credit: Drew PhillipsImage Credit: Drew PhillipsImage Credit: Drew PhillipsMore PhotosAston Martin Vengeance by Kahn Design2015 Aston Martin Owners Club Spring ConcoursBonhams 16th Annual Aston Martin SaleAston Martin Vengeance by Kahn Design: Design RenderingsAston Martin DB11: Spy ShotsAston Martin On Ice 2015Chris Bruce

The Aston Martin DBX was a revelation when it debuted at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show. Not only did the concept evolve the British brand's traditional shape into a high-riding crossover coupe, there were electric motors to power each wheel. Just a few weeks ago, we learned that the company secured $306 million in funding to actually bring the DBX to production. Now, CEO Andy Palmer is talking about just how important the model is for the future.

With the DBX moving into such a radically different segment than the rest of the lineup, the model gives Aston Martin the opportunity to go after a new group of customers. "You can't create enough working capital with just 7,000 cars a year whichever way you look at it. You've got to extend the portfolio somewhere, and I'd rather do this than sell caps and t-shirts," Palmer said to Auto Express, taking a slight dig at Ferrari.

While Aston calls the DBX a crossover, its coupe-like lines don't look like any other vehicle in the segment, especially other high-style CUV attempts like the BMW X6 and Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Coupe. Apparently, that differentiation is entirely on purpose. "We think there is a different space to the traditional SUV. Why? Because we make beautiful cars, and it's hard to make a beautiful SUV. It's hard to make a box beautiful," Palmer said to Auto Express.

The production DBX will gain two more doors for the start of production in 2019, according to Auto Express. The high-performance electric powertrain will remain, though, and Aston will aim for a range of over 300 miles. Earlier reports also suggested that the CUV could be produced at a new factory in the US.

Aston Martin isn't abandoning its performance legacy entirely, though. The DBX is just one part of Palmer's Second Century plan, and the other major pillar is replacing every model in the brand's lineup by the end of the decade. One of them has already been spotted testing.

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#fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-808924{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-808924, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-808924{width:100%;display:block;}Featured GalleryAston Martin DBX Concept: Geneva 2015

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One-off Aston Martin DB9 Spyder Zagato Centennial up for grabs

One-off Aston Martin DB9 Spyder Zagato Centennial up for grabsImage Credit: Robin Adams/RMImage Credit: Robin Adams/RMImage Credit: Robin Adams/RMImage Credit: Robin Adams/RMImage Credit: Robin Adams/RMImage Credit: Robin Adams/RMImage Credit: Robin Adams/RMImage Credit: Robin Adams/RMImage Credit: Robin Adams/RMImage Credit: Robin Adams/RMImage Credit: Robin Adams 2015 © RM Sotheby'sImage Credit: Robin Adams/RMImage Credit: Robin Adams/RMImage Credit: Robin Adams/RMImage Credit: Robin Adams/RM2015 DB9MSRP$188,295ShopReviewsMore PhotosAston Martin DB9 Successor: Spy ShotsAston Martin DB9 Test Mule: Spy ShotsAston Martin DB9 Volante by QAston Martin DB9 Volante Equestrian Edition2015 Aston Martin DB9 Carbon Edition: New York 20142015 Aston Martin DB9 Carbon EditionNoah Joseph

There's a long and proud history of Aston Martins coachbuilt by Zagato, and while we wouldn't call them commonplace, most of them were put in serial production, however limited. But not this one.

This one-of-a-kind DB9 Spyder was handbuilt by Zagato (along with a similarly styled DBS coupe) to celebrate Aston's centenary. Rather than remain in the private collections of either company, though, it was built in England, fitted with its customer bodywork (over the course of a year) in Italy, showcased back in England and then again at Pebble Beach before being delivered to its owner, who has kept it in California ever since. But now he's putting it up for auction.

Equipped with a 6.0-liter V12, carbon-ceramic brakes and of course that unique coachwork, the DB9 Spyder Centennial edition has been consigned to RM Sotheby's for its sale in Monterey this coming August, two years after it was first shown there. It's anticipated to fetch between $380,000 and $450,000, which would be about double what Aston charges for a new DB9 Volante, but strikes us as a pretty solid investment considering just how rare this particular Anglo-Italian bird really is.

Of course the Aston Zagato isn't the only notable vehicle RM has in store for Pebble this year. It's also highlighting a 1968 Maserati Ghibli Spyder that's billed as the first of its kind ever made, a US-spec Ferrari Daytona prototype, an early Lamborghini Countach and a rare 1973 Nissan Skyline GT-R. In short, RM's Monterey auction is already shaping up to be a notable one, and we're still a few months out with new consignments being added all the time.Show full PR textRM SOTHEBY'S TO SHINE SPOTLIGHT ON STRIKING PAIR OF ITALIAN PROTOTYPES IN MONTEREY

- RM Sotheby's prepares for triumphant return to Monterey, California, August 14-15
- The pinnacle of collector car auctions, multi-day sale to lift gavel on approximately 150 blue-chip collector cars
- Early highlights include a pair of Italian-built prototypes: the first Maserati Ghibli Spyder, and the original U.S.-specification Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Prototype
- Additional early attractions include a 1976 Lamborghini Countach LP 400 'Periscopio'; a rare 1973 Nissan Skyline H/T 2000GT-R 'Kenmeri'; and a one-off 2013 Aston Martin DB9 Centennial Spyder Concept
- Frequently updated list of entries available at www.rmauctions.com

BLENHEIM, Ontario (May 12, 2015) – A striking pair of Italian-designed and built prototypes will take center stage in Monterey this summer as RM Sotheby's returns to California for its flagship sale during the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance weekend. For Maserati aficionados, this pairing includes arguably the most significant Ghibli in existence, while Ferraristi will be presented with an exclusive opportunity to acquire the original U.S.-specification Daytona Prototype. The two prototypes are among 150 blue-chip collector cars slated for the RM Sotheby's sale, August 14-15.

The 1968 Maserati Ghibli 4.7 Spyder Prototype, chassis AM115/S 1001, is well-documented as the first Ghibli Spyder ever produced, and the first example ever shown to the public, as confirmed by Maserati Classiche. Striking in bright Giallo with a Testa di moro interior – the same color combination it wears today – and featuring sublime styling by Ghia, 1001 was shown at the 1968 Turin and 1969 Geneva Auto Shows to rave reviews. As the prototype design, it displays several unique differences from the production Spyder that followed; among the most noticeable, a slightly longer boot lid, and slight recesses in the door panels where the handles are mounted.

Following the conclusion of Maserati's testing and development, 1001 was sold to its first private owner in 1969, who allegedly drove the car frequently around Italy before the Spyder exchanged hands in 1975 and was imported into the United States. In 1986, with 41,100 miles on the clock, 1001 went into storage, where it remained for nearly thirty years before being purchased by its current custodian. Upon acquiring the car, the vendor commissioned a full service by a marque specialist, who discovered the car had been properly stored, and as a result, it required very little effort to return the Spyder to life.

Chassis no. 1001's first public outing in nearly three decades was at the 2014 Concours d'Elegance of America at St. John's in Michigan, where it received the Debut Award for most important concours debut. Later that year, the Ghibli Spyder attended the Hilton Head Island Concours d'Elegance where it received a Palmetto Award in the highly competitive Maserati class, which celebrated the 100th anniversary of the marque. Offered fresh to the market, 1001 is expected to fetch $1,200,000 - $1,800,000 when it crosses the RM Monterey podium in August.

"A piece of Maserati History, 1001 is undoubtedly the most significant Ghibli in existence," says Ian Kelleher, Managing Director, RM Sotheby's West Coast Division. "Not only does it boast incredible historical value as the prototype used by the factory to develop the production Ghibli Spyder, but it also offers incredible looks, fantastic performance – thanks to its potent 4.7-liter V-8 - and wonderful driving dynamics. We're thrilled to have been entrusted with the car's sale by its gentleman owner. For the astute Maserati collector, its offering represents a singular opportunity to acquire a very significant automobile – the first Ghibli Spyder."

RM Sotheby's Monterey sale will also lift the gavel on the original U.S.-specification Daytona Prototype, chassis 13361. Like the Maserati, this 1970 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Berlinetta also holds a special place in automotive history; it is the first example of the American-specification Daytona, which, most notably, featured the Perspex-covered headlamps as used in Europe. Completed at the Maranello factory in April 1970, 13361 was ordered new by William Harrah's Modern Classic Motors in Reno, Nevada, then a principal importer of Ferraris in the western United States. In addition to being the prototype of the U.S.-version Daytona, this 365 GTB/4 also possesses a unique ownership provenance, as it is believed to have been retained by Mr. Harrah as a personal car, associating it with one of the most heralded names in the collector car niche. It's provenance is further bolstered by the fact that it was utilized in Road & Track's initial test-drive review of the Daytona model, which ran in the magazine's October 1970 issue. With a well-documented chain of ownership, 13361 is offered for auction following a recent, concours-quality restoration that saw the car return to its original Plexiglas headlight specification (Est. $900,000 - $1,200,000).

"From an aesthetic perspective, the Ferrari Daytona was an instant styling icon, combining the sharp edges of 1970s along with the curves of the 1960s. Under its hood, its massive V-12 engine rendered it the most powerful road going Ferrari of its time; as an exhilarating high-speed, high-performance car, it embodied everything about Ferrari that a driving enthusiast cherishes," says Shelby Myers, Car Specialist, RM Sotheby's. "Chassis 13361 is perhaps the most compelling of its breed. Not only is it the original U.S.-specification Daytona prototype, but it is freshly restored, matching numbers, and boasts a truly outstanding provenance that includes ownership by William Harrah, along with the prestige of being a Road & Track cover car."

Among additional exciting early entries for RM Sotheby's Monterey sale are:
- a beautifully restored 1976 Lamborghini Countach LP 400 'Periscopio', chassis no. 1120172, striking in Blu Tahiti over a Tobacco colored interior and just two Canadian owners from new (Est. $1,500,000 - $2,000,000);
- a one-off 2013 Aston Martin DB9 Centennial Spyder Concept, built by Zagato to celebrate Aston Martin's 100th anniversary (Est. $380,000 - $450,000);
- a rare 1969 Lamborghini 400 GT Islero S, chassis 6531, the 54th of just 100 models built and fully restored by marque specialists (Est. $350,000 - $450,000); and,
- one of the most sought after Japanese nostalgic cars, the 1973 Nissan Skyline H/T 2000GT-R 'Kenmeri', chassis no. KPGC110-000127; powered by the race-derived S20, twin-cam, 24-value straight-six, this example is the rarest production Skyline GT-R with only 197 examples built and shows less than 23,000 original documented kilometers (Est. $125,000 - $175,000).

An institution spanning more than 25 years, RM Sotheby's flagship Monterey auction returns to the Portola Hotel & Spa and Monterey Conference Center, August 14-15. The pinnacle of collector car sales, in 2014 the RM event set a new benchmark for a collector car auction, generating a remarkable $143.4 million to become the highest grossing collector car auction of all time. This year's event is set to continue the company's strong track record in California, lifting the gavel on a magnificent roster of 150 blue-chip automobiles.

For further information or to view a frequently updated list of entries, please visit www.rmauctions.com or call +1 519 352 4575.

For more News from RM Sotheby's
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About RM Sotheby's
RM Sotheby's (formerly RM Auctions) is the world's largest auction house for investment-quality automobiles. With 35 years' experience in the collector car industry, RM's vertically integrated range of services, from private treaty sales and auctions to estate planning, and financial services, coupled with an expert team of car specialists and an international footprint, provide an unsurpassed level of service to the global collector car market. RM proudly holds four of the top ten all-time records for the most valuable motor cars sold at auction. In February 2015, RM formed a strategic partnership with Sotheby's, uniting the two companies for the full calendar of future automobile auctions. For further information, visit www.rmauctions.com.

All RM Sotheby's catalogues are available online at www.rmauctions.com. High res photography for RM's Monterey sale is available via the RM Sotheby's Media Center, or by contacting a member of the RM Sotheby's press department. If you are interested in attending an RM Sotheby's event as a member of the media, please visit www.rmauctions.com/credentials to register for media credentials.Featured Gallery2013 Aston Martin DB9 Spyder Zagato Centennial

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