Aston Martin DBS

Aston Martin will unveil one of the most eagerly anticipated cars of the year when the new DBS is revealed at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on August 16th, where the company takes a starring role as the featured marque.

Aston Martin Chief Executive Officer, Dr Ulrich Bez, said: “The DBS is the ultimate expression of Aston Martin’s engineering and technical ability. It offers pure performance without compromise.

“The DBS delivers the complete driving experience and bridges the gap between our road and track cars – the DB9 and DBR9.”Equally at home on a twisting mountain circuit as on the open road, the DBS is a true thoroughbred.

The Aston Martin DBS is a 6.0-liter V12 powered, race-bred, two-seater shaped by the aerodynamic demands of high performance, with an exquisite interior that marries beautifully hand-finished materials with the very latest in performance technology.

A combination of elegant design, innovative manufacturing processes, race-derived materials and components and Aston Martin’s unrivalled hand-build expertise makes the DBS a luxury sports car without equal.

Every line, crease and curve conveys the enormous potential of the DBS, a seductive blend of refinement and raw power, provided by the hand-built V12 producing 510 bhp, a top speed of 191 mph and a 0-60 mph time of 4.1 seconds.

Performance
The need for high-performance stability, handling ability and low kerb weight defined the DBS’s form and construction. Accordingly, the DBS becomes the first production Aston Martin to make extensive use of ultra-light carbon-fiber body panels.

High levels of performance and control are delivered by the combination of inherent light weight, near-perfect weight distribution, a supremely powerful and flexible V12 engine, and a performance-honed six-speed transmission, together with new carbon ceramic brakes and an adaptive damper controlled suspension system.

At the heart of the DBS is a 6.0-liter V12 engine. As with all current Aston Martins, it is hand-assembled at Aston Martin’s dedicated engine facility in Cologne, Germany. The classic 6.0-liter V12 features a number of power-increasing enhancements.

These include a ‘by-pass’ engine air intake port that opens above 5500 rpm to allow more air into the engine, and re-profiled air inlet ports that further improve airflow into the combustion chamber.

Combined with a compression ratio of 10.9:1, the result of these enhancements is prodigious power and torque: the DBS delivers 510 bhp at 6500 rpm. The 3.71:1 final-drive ratio ensures that the additional power is usable, enhancing in-gear acceleration in particular.

Interior

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.

As an option the DBS may be equipped with specially developed lightweight seats (outside North America). These feature a carbon-fiber and Kevlar composite structure and are manufactured by a supplier to the motorsport and aviation industries before being returned to Aston Martin’s Gaydon factory for hand-trimming.

The structure is created by sandwiching a layer of Kevlar between two layers of carbon-fiber with the outer finish left exposed on the seat backs, lacquered to create a durable and attractive finish.

The start sequence of the DBS is augmented by an all-new centre console design with a cast metal surround, crisp typography and new graphics. The new console has a traditional dial-face clock at the centre, flanked by two rotary controls for the heating and air-conditioning system, fashioned from solid, turned aluminum.

Deliveries of the DBS are expected to commence during quarter one 2008, with prices to be confirmed at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

Design

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 external detailing reflects the power and dynamic abilities of the DBS, with revised inlets and enlarged grilles that deliver more air into the engine and increase its cooling capacity.

Subtle design details include a new five-bar design for the polished alloy main grille, as well as two additional vents in the enlarged power bulge on the carbon-fiber bonnet. These vents are entirely functional, improving engine performance and efficiency, yet also communicating the increased power output of the uprated V12 engine.

The DBS’s aerodynamic enhancements are shaped by Aston Martin’s racing experience. A carbon-fiber splitter and a new front bumper design help channel airflow around the car’s wider bodywork.

The aerodynamics team worked hand in hand with the modeling team to ensure that the forms and surfaces of DBS were sculpted for inherent stability at high speeds.

Video Aston Martin DBS

Spyker C8 Spyder

The C8 Spyder is the original base model with an Audi 4.2 litre V8 engine giving the car 400 hp (298 kW) and a top speed of 300 km/h (186 mph).

One of the most compact and reliable engines: Five valves per cylinder, four overhead camshafts and a very advanced engine management system which includes drive-by-wire and allows various performance outputs.

The pre-programmed output levels allows the output to be reduced to a safer level when the car is driven by a less experienced driver.

Braking system
A twin circuit braking system with 6-piston AP aluminium brake callipers at the front and 4-piston aluminium brake callipers at the rear wheels with ventilated brake discs provides the Spyker C8’s stopping power.

Each Spyker C8 is fitted with a switchable ASR traction control system and ABS.

Doors
The doors are electrically operated, open upward and tilt outwards, using a single point aluminum hinge, a patentable innovation of Spyker. No keys or remote controls are needed to enter the car

Each Spyker owner has a personal security card, which activates the cars electrical systems as soon as the owner comes within a radius of three metres of his car.

Luggage compartment
The car features two luggage compartments. One is in the back of the car, the other in the front. Both compartments are easily accessible and each car comes with two tailor-made leather suitcases.

Of course the customer can choose any other material he likes, suitcases made of quilted leather being one of many options. An exclusive custom-built luggage set is also an option.

Air tubes
The handcrafted aluminium air tubes in the flanks of the car feed cool air into the engine and to the brakes. The “gills” in the front and rear wings withdraw hot air from the brakes and the engine bay.

Gear Level
The most eye-catching interior feature of the Spyker C8 is the unique gear level. In its design, the movement that has to be made to shift gears has been turned into a feature: the actuation bar and its reaction rod are in full view. A reverse-button on top of the gear level prevents the driver from accidentally selecting reverse.

Dashboard
The dashboard is reminiscent of Spyker’s aviation heritage; the aluminium Aeroblade steering wheel proudly sports the propeller from Spykers logo.

The fascias of the gauges resemble the functional accuracy of a watch, while the exquisitely detailed toggle switches provide visual clues to the racing heritage of this Spyker. Optionally a dashboard designed by hronoswiss may be ordered.

Exhaust system
The Spyker C8 is fitted with a straight-through stainless high performance exhaust system. The Spyker C8’s exhaust system features a manually operated short cut valve that lengthens or shortens the exhaust system; thereby increasing or reducing engine sound output.

The system therefore provides the driver with the choice of silent cruising or maximum performance with a superb sound to match.


Video Spyker C8 Spyder


Wrecked Spyker C8 Spyder

Spyker C12 Zagato

Dutch supercar manufacturer Spyker unveiled the Spyker C12 Zagato at the 77th Geneva International Motor Show. Norihiko Harada, Zagatos Automotive Chief Designer, and Muller co-operated closely to design this limited edition of 24 sports cars to be delivered from March 2008 onwards.

The world premiere of this ultra-exclusive version of the C12 range celebrates Spykers entry into the world of Formula One and marks the first integration of design elements and styling cues from the Spyker F8-VII Formula One car into the Spyker road car range.

After it became apparent that Spyker would succeed in acquiring the Midland Formula 1 team it was decided that the C12 Zagato should embody as many of the Formula 1 design cues as practically possible so as to set a new design vision for future Spyker road car models.

In the months following that decision, Spyker and Zagato finalized the design and the manufacturing of the C12 Zagato was entrusted to Spykers long time fabrication partner, Coventry Prototype Panels in Coventry, UK.

The Spyker C12 Zagato is an all aluminum rear wheel drive sports car, based on the Spyker C12 Spyder. The C12 is powered by the 6.0 liter, 12 cylinder, 500 bhp W12 engine from Volkswagen AG and accelerates from 0-62 mph in 3.8 seconds.

The Spyker C12 Zagato is equipped with a six-speed manual or automatic gear box with F1 style shifting, Chronoswiss instruments and a Zagato designed full leather interior with brushed aluminum instrument panel.

The C12 Zagato has an aluminum body with stainless steel roof rails and has many F1 derived design details such as an F1 nose, air scoop, chimneys, mirrors, rain light, fuel flap and diffuser.

It has a panoramic roof that features the Double Bubble, a typical Zagato style element.

The Spyker C12 Zagato has a length of 177.4 inches, a width of 80 inches excluding mirrors, a height of 49.2 inches and weighs 3262 lbs. Top speed is 193 mph.

The new Zagato body becomes more unique, aggressive and sensual at the same time. It features a new double bubble panoramic roof , F1 influenced nose and air intakes, chimney and a coda tronca, the typical Zagato cut off tail end."

The Spyker C12 Zagato will retail for $644,000 (excluding any taxes, ex factory).

Video Spyker C12 Zagato