Aston Martin Rapide price announced

Gearing up for the big launch in the first quarter of 2010, Aston Martin has announced the UK price of its Rapide The firm’s “first four-door sports car” and also the first Aston Martin not to be made-in-England – it’s hand-built at Magna Steyr’s Graz, Austria plant – will start from £139,950 in the UK.

What can that sum buy you? Well, a V8 Panamera S is listed at £72,266 so technically you can have two of Porsche’s four doors for the price of one Rapide with a few options added (a range topping Panamera Turbo costs £95,298).

The Aston’s list price includes a bespoke Bang & Olufsen Beosound audio system, heated memory seats, dual cast brakes and Adaptive Damping System, among other kit. It is powered by a 6.0-litre V12 with 470bhp.

Aston Martin One-77 breaks 350 km/h in testing

The One 77 supercar is set to be Aston Martin’s fastest road car ever after surpassing its maker’s predictions and comfortably breaking the 320 km/h mark.

The ultra exclusive £1.2 million car (only 77 will be made) is currently in the later stages of development ahead of its planned debut in 2010. During high speed testing at an undisclosed proving ground in southern Europe, the One-77 recorded a 354.86 km/h top speed in dry but windy conditions.

Powered by a new 7.3 litre V12 engine with over 750 bhp, the One-77 features a new carbon fibre monocoque body structure and adopts active aerodynamic technology. Gaydon describes it as “the ultimate expression of what Aston Martin stands for which will combine modern technology and design with craftsmanship and ultimate exclusivity to create the world’s most desirable automotive art form.”

Aston Martin Cygnet

Absolutely no one in Geneva cared about the “real” Aston sports cars at the Palexpo, because all attention was on the “not so real” Aston Martin based on a Toyota. Of course we’re talking about the debuting Cygnet, which is based on Toyota’s diminutive four-seat iQ city car.

To differentiate the Cygnet from its donor car, styling cues typical of Gaydon’s sports machines have been added liberally; examples include Aston’s trademark front grille, air intakes on the bonnet, side “gills” and boomerang shaped taillamps. Inside, the Cygnet is trimmed in a way that Toyota engineers would never have dreamed of when creating the iQ – fine, soft leather covering almost every surface, plush high-backed seats with Aston logos and a trendy bag to go along with it.

Aston’s official images portray the Cygnet as a trendy accessory for its current owners, a small runabout when you don’t feel like taking out that big V12 to the congested city or the nearby shops, or even as a gift for the new girlfriend/mistress, perhaps. So, brilliant idea or a bad joke? For me, the former. I’ll order a few or these (one for keeps, the rest for the ladies) along with a V12 Vantage should the lottery picks me!

Hear the Aston Martin One-77’s V12 howl!

I don’t know about you but an Aston Martin has always seemed to be like the more refined and gentlemanly alternative to more hot blooded cars like a Ferrari. I found that appealing. But now Aston Martin has developed a limited edition car with aggressive looks. Under its hood is a monstrous 7.3 litre V12 engine with over 750 bhp. Good thing is thanks to that V12 it has the soundtrack to accompany its looks – check out the video after the jump, which shows the One-77 undergoing some tests ahead of first customer deliveries. Let us know in the comments – are you liking the One-77?

Aston Martin to race “near standard” Rapide at Nürburgring

Aston Martin will compete at the Nürburgring 24-hour race on 15-16 May with the marque’s new four-door sports car, The rapide This will be Gaydon’s fifth consecutive year racing at the famous Nordschleife circuit after previously campaigning the V8 Vantage and V12 Vantage.