The Aston Martin Rapide Wagon

Before any of you start having a heart attack and go visit your local Aston Martin dealership to see this car in person, let me tell you that the car you see pictured above is a custom, one-off job ordered by an Aston Martin collector. The collector worked with Bertone, who is famous for modifying these exotic rides from England, turning a stock Rapide S into a high performance wagon.

For reasons that are really beyond me, Americans don't like wagons. I've read theories about how it was a push-back against the land yacht wagons of the 1970s, with minivans winning out as women didn't want to drive what their mother already had. That theory also helps explain the proliferation of crossovers -- those ridicuous wanna-be SUVs that would get stuck in about five minutes of off-road driving.

Personally, I think wagons are fantastic, but I've owned one and through said ownership learned the virtues of wagons. They handle tight, unlike SUVs, meaning you can take corners faster and negotiate the twisty canyons that are all around my home with ease. Wagons also hold an obscene amount of cargo. Once I had a bellhop exclaim his disbelief at how much luggage I squeezed into the back of our wagon.

In any case, back to this Aston Martin super wagon. It comes with the same V12 engine that comes in the current Rapide S, which puts out a thunderous 476 horsepower directed to the rear wheels. As you can imagine, this wagon can probably do one hell of a burnout in the right hands. Oh, the official name of the wagon is the Aston Martin Rapide Bertone Jet 2+2. Gotta love some of the boring names people pick.

Confession time: I know a lot of people really love Aston Martins, but I just don't find them all that lust-worthy. The James Bond movies were pretty much banned in my house when I was growing up, so I didn't spend my youth yearning to be like the British spy who so often drove Aston Martins. I know to some people this is the equivalent of automotive blasphemy, but this wagon looks pretty damn funky, like on the level of the Porsche Panamera. It has a bubble butt and kind of reminds me of an SUV that's been squished by a steamroller. That being said, I always though the Dodge Magnum was a funky-looking wagon, but thos did bring it when it came to high performance (especially the SRT-8 models). Frankly I would rather have a 2013 Audi RS6 Avant, which puts out over 550 horsepower and is much lighter. I know it's not as exclusive as the Aston Martin, but I care more about having fun in a car than making everyone think I'm loaded. Alas, Americans' hatred of wagons means Audi for now isn't bringing the RS6 Avant to the United States -- not like I could afford one at the present moment anyway.

So what do you all think of this Aston Martin wagon? 
 

2013 Audi RS6 Avant

Hurricane Sandy vs Collector Cars

Ok, first it's Hurricane Sandy, not Super Storm Sandy. No matter how you slice it, it was still a hurricane that rocked the east coast of the U.S. in October. And the one thing that drives any car guy crazy is to see vehicular damage. We cringed at a photo floating around facebook that was also the cover shot of Automotive News magazine last week of a fleet of Ford Crown Victorias and a few Transit Connect taxis sitting in a lot flooded with water. Turns out they were brand new cars sitting at a Ford owned dealership in Manhattan. So it turns out not only were they Crown Vics, they were some of the LAST Crown Vics built.

From our friends over at Hemmings comes these photos snapped by a reader of two Aston Martins that weren't so lucky last month. Makes you want to cry.


See all the photos here.

Source & Photos: Hemmings Blog

Meet the Evanta Aston Martin DB7

Coming to us from across the pond in the U.K. comes the re-imagined Aston Martin DB7 by Evanta Motor Company. Founded in 1995, Evanta specializes in the rebuilding, restoration, and in a case like this, the building of classic British sports cars. This DB7 has been completely built from the ground up wearing the body of a distant relative, the DB4. While it may look like a DB4, it is still powered by the DB7's V12. It also carries many modern essentials like air bags and air conditioning.

This is a very exciting twist on a very beautiful car to begin with. If you want it, you'll have to act fast as this is the only one made, and like the only to ever be made.


Media release:
The proportions and lines are breathtaking. Its impossible to tell that this is in fact a modern ECU driven, Tiptronic, V12 monster with air conditioning and air bags. Full race roll cage is hidden underneath the stunning interior, which is finished in luxurious Oxblood red leather.

The flawless paintwork is finished in correct Aston Martin solent silver, which has a delicate hint of blue. Wheels are 16" wires with appropriate race tyres.

The car retains the modern instruments of the DB7, yet the fusion of a vintage DB4 dash, DB4 seats and period trim. The blend where old meets new is a stroke of genius. This rare,elegant yet powerful car is the only one available on the planet.

Source: Evanta Motor Co. Ltd.

James Bond's Aston Martin DB5 returns to the big screen

James Bond fans of the world can cheer in the return of the iconic silver 1964 Aston Martin DB5 that has come to symbolize Agent 007. This picture has surfaced from the set in Scotland of the latest Bond flick "Skyfall", showing current Bond, Daniel Craig behind the wheel of the classic 1960s sports car. Fans will instantly recognize the BMT 216A registration that has been shown on the DB5 since it's launch in the 1964 classic Goldfinger. This year celebrates the Bond film series' 50th Anniversary. So maybe there will be some other Easter Eggs dropped throughout the film when it's released this fall.

Source: World Car Fans

Fit for a future King.

Just like the millions that got swept up in Royal Wedding Fever, we were no exception. Though for different reasons. The cars! There is no denying the Royal Family has some of the most stunning vehicles at their disposal. And of course, a wedding with all of its pomp and circumstance is the perfect time to polish up the vintage Rolls Royce. It was quite a special treat to see so many of the vintage state cars out in the open. Everything from vintage horse drawn carriages to Rolls Royces and Bentleys, even a vintage Daimler state limo. Both Prince William and Prince Harry rode to Westminster Abbey in the Queen's Bentley state limo. While Prince Charles and Camila rode in a 1950s vintage Rolls Royce state limo. And Kate Middleton and her father in the same 1970s vintage Rolls that was attacked by protesters a few months back. The real treat was when Prince William and Princess Kate emerged from the gates of Buckingham Palace in a stunning dark blue 1969 Aston Martin for a parade lap.

Said Aston Martin has it's own unique ties to the Royal Family. It was given to Prince William's father, Prince Charles as a 21st birthday present from the Queen. What a gift. It's also special because it's been rebuilt to run greener in a sense. It's been converted to run on alcohol from vineyards owned by the Royal Family. Neat stuff.

The name's Martin......Aston...Martin: James Bond will stay with Aston Martin

With the sale of Aston Martin from under the Ford umbrella. There has been some speculation as to what will happen to James Bond's trusty spy car in future movies. Well that has all been laid to rest. Aston Martin has announced today that James Bond(Daniel Craig) will continue to drive his Aston Martin DBS in the next Bond movie.

This continues a long working relationship between the film makers and Aston Martin. The first appearance was in Goldfinger with Sean Connery driving the now famous silver DB5 "With Modifications" as Q was quick to point out. That has led to a half dozen or so Astons driven by agent 007 over the last 40 years.

The working title for the movie is Bond 22, for the 22nd installment in the James Bond series.

Source: Aston Martin.

PRESS RELEASE:

Aston Martin DBS to star in new James Bond film

Gaydon, December 11th 2007: Aston Martin announced today that their new flagship model, the DBS, will once again be driven by James Bond (DANIEL CRAIG) in the next 007 film to be produced by Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli for EON Productions, and directed by Marc Forster.

The Aston Martin DBS made its first public appearance in Casino Royale when it smashed its way into the Guinness World Record books for 'The Most Cannon Rolls In A Car'. The record-breaking stunt saw stuntman Adam Kirley taking the helm of Bond's famous Aston Martin. The stunt proved one of the most spectacular in movie history when he rolled the DBS an amazing seven times.

Aston Martin Chief Executive Officer, Dr Ulrich Bez, said: "Aston Martin is proud of our long association with James Bond. The DBS has its own unique character which equals that of James Bond. It is explosive power in a black tie. It is the perfect car for James Bond as it delivers the complete driving experience and bridges the gap between our road and track cars – the DB9 and DBR9. It is equally at home on a twisting mountain circuit as on the open road and we are all very excited at the prospect of seeing it on the big screen again."

BOND 22 (working title) is scheduled for international theatrical release in November 2008.

Ford announces 3rd quarter earnings. Break even a possibility in 07

Ford showed today that there is some light begining to show at the end of the tunnel. While just about every auto maker showed a loss of some sort, Ford's is showing to not be as bad as you might think. For the 3rd quarter of 07, Ford showed a net loss of only $380 million dollars. Compare that with a $5.2 billion loss this time last year, and that is a quite considerable improvement.

Revenue was also on the up scale this year. $41.1 billion vs. $37.1 billion last year. When looking at the North America car sales numbers, there was a loss of $1 billion dollars. Last year it was a $2.1 billion loss. North American revenues were up $1 billion this year also. $16.5 billion to $15.4 billion last year.

World wide vehicle sales are up by 20,000 units this year also. Ford recorded 1,487,000 sales this year.

Ford also released their forecast for the 4th quarter and the end of the year performances. They are pushing for either a small loss or to hopefully break even for 2007. Ford has already sold the Aston Martin brand, and is should have the deals wrapped up for Land Rover and Jaguar in the early part of 2008. That will free up alot of cash for Ford.

Source: Autoblog.com & Automotive News