World Concept Cars

*Be Warned: The ass-end of this car looks positively divine.

Ugur Sahin Design, the firm behind the (still upcoming?) Z03 which was to be built by Mallett, decided to update Aston's lineup with a design study called the Gauntlet.

The intent was "to design a car which is technically almost identical to the existing production Aston Martins while defining a design character that outmost respects the impressive history of the brand and combine the timeless lines of the past Aston Martins with the modern interpretation of the existing styling."

Here's how I see it: a car like the DB9, but with a coach-built look and feel.

Trying not to be too retro or futuristic, the look comes off as clean and really appealing to the eye. Key features include those sexy, organic headlights, a new take on Aston's wide-mouth grill (previewed on the One-77 hypercar), and - claimed to be cribbed from the DB3S - "high rear and front fenders".

Personal favorites include:

1) brake-heat extractor vents' lines flowing into the tail spoiler
2) mirrors emulating the sharp shape of the window surrounds
3) rear windscreen that's been molded to flow with the roof's lines (we've already seen it's possible with Peugeot's RCZ)
4) creased line down the side (in some pics) which makes the car look like it's wearing an opera mask.

And, last but not least, the artsy/design PR speak: "The name 'Gauntlet' refers to the way lines and surfaces overlap or complement each other, not literally but rather emotionally. This visually suggests the feel of wearing a protective armor which its full power and potential is in control of the driver."

Whatever guys, it looks great.

Source: Carscoop

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Aston Martin has shown off the new race-spec version of its Rapide sports saloon. It's bound to make its competition debut at the 24-hour race at the Nurburgring on 15-16 May 2010.

The Rapide will be driven by Aston CEO Ulrich Bez, who has a history of competing at the Nordschleife in his part-time role as a gentleman racer. It's in virtually road-car spec, upgraded merely to strip out weight (bye bye snug rear seats), retune the suspension and meet FIA race rules with cut-out, cages and fire extinguishers. Slick tyres are fitted too to help this four-door grip like a limpet.0

Dr Bez's pet project

Bez explained the rationale behind entering a saloon into the gruelling 24-hour race in Germany. 'This race represents the ultimate final engineering durability test for any sports car – it subjects the car to the toughest possible assessment under public scrutiny,' he said.

'The Rapide has the capability to carry four people in comfort but first and foremost it is a sports car and we will subject it to the same tests we would our other sports cars. We already have a proven track record at the Nurburgring, racing our road cars with limited modification and in recent years we have enjoyed success in winning the SP8 class both in 2008 and 2009.'

Seems a strange choice of race car... why not enter a Vantage again?

Good point! Gaydon will enter a V12 Vantage at the Nurburgring event. The coupé won its SP8 class in 2009's race debut and finished 21st overall.

Is entering a Rapide merely a gimmick? Probably. But the Nordschleife race is a usefully low-cost billboard to announce the arrival of its first four-door for a generation – and will attract some useful publicity on television and among enthusiasts worldwide.

The first customer Rapides land in Aston's 125 showrooms worldwide later in April 2010.

Source: Carmagazine.co.uk

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