- Filed under: Geneva Motor Show, Aston Martin
Lagonda is set to celebrate its 100th anniversary next year. But while enthusiasts are bound to celebrate by recalling Lagondas of yore, Aston Martin plans to give us all something more tangible to commemorate by reviving the long-dormant marque. (Truth be told, having been founded in 1906, Lagonda marked its centenary two years ago already. But we're not going to let some simple facts get in the way of a good story, now are we?)
The British automaker produced luxury cars independently until 1947 when it was bought by Aston Martin. Although Aston used the Lagonda name as a model designation from 1976 to 1989 for a quirky angular four-door, with a handful of coachbuilt specials and concept cars in between, the last model Lagonda produced was the 1961-65 Rapide, a nameplate which Aston is also revived with its upcoming four-door coupe model, previewed by the 2006 concept in Detroit. While the production Rapide is expected to continue as an Aston Martin, the company is planning a unique concept car to be unveiled at the Geneva show next March that will show the way forward for the rejuvenated marque.
While Aston has not confirmed what form the vehicle, which could hit the streets as soon as 2012, will take, they've reportedly ruled out the possibility of a sport-ute. Sources suggest a new competitor aimed at Bentley and Rolls-Royce, although the Longonda will be more focused on performance than long distance cruising. No telling what that will mean for Aston's partnership with Mercedes-Benz, which has its own failing Maybach brand competing in the segment as well. However the resuscitation of Lagonda is bound to form a vital component of Aston Martin's ambitious growth plan. (Press release after the jump.)
[Source: Aston Martin]
Continue reading Aston Martin to revive Lagonda with new concept at Geneva '09
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- Filed under: Motorsports, Acura, Aston Martin, Audi, Chevrolet
Click the C6.R for a high-res gallery from the race
As part of the revival of the Detroit Grand Prix at Belle Isle last year, the Detroit Sports Car Challenge was added as the highlight of Saturday's activities. The sports car race is back this year as the ninth round of the American Le Mans Series. For those who have never checked out an ALMS race, it's one of the best and most exciting forms of motorsport anywhere. Highcroft Racing's Acura ARX-01B captured the pole and led much of the first half of the race ahead of the De Ferran Racing Acura. If you TiVoed the race and don't want to ruin the surprise, you can just check out the gallery and come back later to see the full results after the jump. Otherwise, you know what to do.
Photos Copyright (C)2008 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.Continue reading Detroit Grand Prix 08: The Detroit Sports Car Challenge (Spoiler Alert)
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- Filed under: Supercars, Aston Martin, Rendered Speculation
Click to view in high resolution
It's not every day that a new supercar is announced. But those are the good days, and for when they roll around, Jon Sibal is ready. The gifted illustrator who has already brought us renderings of the upcoming Mercedes SLR McLaren Speedster and a race-prepped Lexus LF-A has now taken a stab at the upcoming Aston Martin One-77.
The new flagship supercar from Aston Martin was announced earlier this month and accompanied by a few teaser renderings from the factory. Those were followed by a rather uninspired speculative conception of what form the carbon-fiber supercar would take, and though we're not sure what to make of Sibal's take on the subject, it does appear to be rather accurate. We just hope the One-77 looks better in the flesh, as we've come to expect more from the company that brought us the DBS and the V8 Vantage.
[Source: JonSibal.com]
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- Filed under: Aftermarket, Aston Martin, Lifestyle, UK
Click above for more gruesome shots of gold-plated exotics
Do you ever wonder what company actually does the 24-carat gold plating jobs on those gilded exotic and luxury cars that surface on the web from time to time? Perhaps you're looking for someone to do the same to your Camry? Alchemist is the appropriately named company behind these works, and its specialty is gold plating just the roof panel, though it will to dip the entire car in gold for the right price. The company is based in London, England and headed by a Frenchman named Jacques Blanc, who will soon be taking a perfectly good Aston Martin DBS and gilding the entire thing with 24-carat gold and platinum-leaf at the upcoming MPH Show in London.
[Source: Alchemist]Continue reading Alchemist: the company that turns cars gold
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- Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedans/Saloons, Sports/GTs, Geneva Motor Show, Aston Martin, Porsche
To the 'Ring we go, and our companions today are -- in the apt words of World Car Fans -- "beauty and the beast." That would be the Aston Martin Rapide and the Porsche Panamera. We'll let you decide which one deserves which title. Follow the link and you'll find a large gallery of both cars in basic black, un-camo'ed and racing each other around the 'Ring to help cast your vote.
In practical considerations, the Panamera looks to have the Rapide beat in all kinds of ways. For instance, it should get better gas mileage if you get the V6 or V8, and it has more trunk space with 450 liters. Aston's cars have little trunk syndrome, and the Rapide probably won't really change that. But hey, who would buy a Panamera or Rapide for practical reasons? Either way, we won't really know the state of things until the 2009 Geneva Motor Show next March when they are officially introduced.
[Source: World Car Fans]
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- Filed under: Gadgets, Aston Martin
With a 510 hp V12 under-hood, you wouldn't need any extra motivation to buy an Aston Martin DBS, but the James Bond factor certainly doesn't hurt. So if you're going to be driving 007's ride, you're going to need a Bond-esque watch to go with it. While 007 sports an Omega, Aston Martin's official timekeeper has come out with a watch complete with the kind of high-tech features that would make even Bond take notice.
Like the first one we reported on a year ago, the second DBS watch from Jaeger LeCoultre integrates a transponder that can open and close the doors on the Aston Martin supercar it's designed to accompany. The device took some 18 months to develop, but operation is simple: touch the glass between 8 and 9 o'clock to open the doors, between 3 and 4 to close them. The watch has been redesigned to incorporate more DBS styling cues, with a silver DBS logo below 12 o'clock over a movement designed to mimic the brake calipers on the top-of-the-line Aston. The new AMVOX2 will be officially unveiled at the Paris show in October. Check out the press release after the jump and the micro-site here for more info.
Continue reading Q would be proud: Aston Martin and Jaeger LeCoultre release their second DBS transponder watch
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- Filed under: Euro, Aston Martin, Rendered Speculation
It is our sincere hope that this rendering is as far off the mark as we think it is. The scary part is that if you look at the teaser and then flip back to this shot, the elements actually seem to match up. The horror. That big venty nose on an Aston? We sure hope this chop winds up being the product of a photoshop artist with bad taste. We'll lose all respect for Aston Martin if it ends up making an Attack Mode GT, even if it does pack a V12 and accelerate fast enough to catch a sprinting Chuck Norris.
[Source: TTAC]
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- Filed under: China, Etc., Aston Martin
click above to view a hi-res gallery of Beijing 008
China, that's what. Artist Qin Yufen has just unveiled Beijing 008 with the help of Aston Martin chieftains Ulrich Bez and Kenny Chen. The art installation brings together a ginormous tape measure, a quote about disorder, a statuary tribute to Stephen Hawking that hangs from the ceiling, and a V8 Vantage in a way that ambiguously represents the mystery held by the 21st century. That is, according to artist Yufen. We think the fuzzy meaning will make the work more accessible to the public at large, as any statements made by Yufen's work is deliberately soft-spoken and open to interpretation. It is a wine-and-cheese set kind of way to commemorate the opening of an Aston Martin dealership in China, too.
Aston Martin is a strong supporter of artistic endeavors, and this is one way to celebrate the brand's entrance into the Chinese marketplace. It's not necessarily the way we would've chosen (autocross inside the Forbidden City?), but it's one way. The high level of craft that's historically gone into Astons also dovetails nicely with the handmade nature of the artwork. Easily interpreted art is all well and good, but the moment you fire up that Vantage, the intent is clear - go fast, be coddled. At least they didn't cut the car up to make some kind of pointless statement.
[Source: Aston Martin]Continue reading What do a giant tape measure, a V8 Vantage and Stephen Hawking have in common?
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- Filed under: Paris Motor Show, Supercars, Aston Martin
UPDATE: Official press release from Aston Martin added after the break. High-res gallery below.
Click above for a larger image.
var uts_p1million_One_77_supercar'; Aston Martin has released the first image of its newest flagship - the limited edition One-77. Details are scarce, but the One-77 will be powered by a hand-built 7.0-liter V12 nestled inside an aluminum and carbon fiber chassis. 0-60 times are estimated at 3.5-seconds, with a top speed cresting 200 mph.
77 examples of the £1 million coupe will be produced and customers will be able to customize the bespoke supercar to meet their individual tastes. The One-77 will be revealed later this year (Paris?) and will go on sale shortly afterwards.
This will be the first all-new vehicle from Aston Martin produced after the brand was sold by Ford to a group of investors spearheaded by Prodrive's David Richards. We're also curious to know if the One-77 will play a part in Project Alligator, the rumored collaboration between Aston and Mercedes-Benz. All details will be revealed in due time. Until then let your eyes feast on the only image we have of the upcoming One-77 supercar.
Continue reading Early Look: £1million Aston Martin One-77
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- Filed under: Aston Martin, Maybach, Mercedes-Benz
Project Alligator. That's the internal code-name for a potential collaboration between Mercedes and Aston Martin on everything from drivetrains to platforms. CAR's September issue gets into all the details, which includes such tasty nuggest as the possible use of AMG's 6.2-liter V8 in the next Vantage, porting over Mercedes' future eight-speed auto 'box into Astons, sharing platforms between both automaker's high-end models (think SL and beyond), cooperating on the development of diesels and hybrids, and using Aston's future products to keep Maybach alive and maybe even help the wayward ultra-luxury brand thrive with up to five new models. But it gets even bigger. A collaboration between the two could place M-B in a good position to buy Aston Martin if its new owners, including Prodrive's David Richards, decide to exit the automaking biz. As CAR points out, however, the only potential loser from Project Alligator coming to fruition is Mercedes' other partner, McLaren.
[Source: CAR]
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- Filed under: Sports/GTs, Tech, Supercars, Aston Martin
Click pics for high-res gallery of the Aston Martin DB9 and Caparo T1
It's been a while since we heard anything about the Caparo T1 supercar. One of the most extreme applications of the "F1 for the road" theme, the project originally began independently under the name Freestream before being acquired by component manufacturer Caparo as a rolling demonstration of the latest in automotive technology. Part of that tech is now finding its way into another British sportscar: the Aston Martin DB9.
Reports now indicate that Aston Martin will be upgrading the brakes on its V12 sportscar with units developed for the Caparo T1. In the place of the 355mm front discs currently employed will be a set of 378mm discs, gripped by four-pot calipers each machined from a solid piece of cast aluminum. The new stoppers, developed by the 18-man team at Caparo AP Braking, promise to deliver a 24% reduction in fade while reducing peak temperatures by 18% in return for 30% less pedal force required. Interesting that Aston Martin decided to outsource a new set of brakes for the DB9 instead of adopting the carbon-ceramic units from the top-of-the-line DBS.
We've added some new high-resolution images of the DB9 and Caparo T1 to the galleries below. Check 'em out:
[Source: PistonHeads]
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- Filed under: Convertibles, Coupes, Sports/GTs, Aston Martin, First Drive
Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2009 Aston Martin V8 Vantage.
2003 BMW M5.
2005 Lotus Elise.
2008 Aston Martin V8 Vantage.
What do these three vehicles have in common? They all occupy a space in my dream garage. Sure, I could've added a few more fantasy slots for a Ferrari 250 GTO, a Land Rover 90 and everything in between, but the Bimmer, the Lotus and the Aston exemplify all I've ever wanted on four wheels: a powerful sedan, a competent track tool, and an elegant coupe. No matter the occasion, I'm covered.
But there's a problem. While I've spent a fair amount of time in and around the Elise and M5, I've never had the opportunity to drive the Vantage. The Aston holds a spot on my lottery list on looks alone, so I arrived in San Francisco with a fair amount of trepidation. Will the V8 Vantage be everything I've dreamt about or will it be the automotive equivalent of meeting my hero?
It's finally time to find out.
Continue reading First Drive: 2009 Aston Martin V8 Vantage
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- Filed under: Aftermarket, Tuners, Coupes, Sports/GTs, Aston Martin
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Premier4509's V8 Vantage.
Veilside's luxury and exotics arm has already released body kits for the Lamborghini Murcielago and Bentley Continental GT, and now Premier4509 has turned its attention to the Aston Martin V8 Vantage. Any attempt to improve upon the stunning sheet metal of the Vantage is a risky affair, but Premier4509 seems to have balanced a bit of bling with some measure of restraint. The kit includes a new front bumper, side skirts, rear bumper and spoiler that ties in nicely with the shapely lines of the coupe, and the forged, three-piece wheels compliment the aggressive body kit, but will surely compromise the Vantage's already stiff ride.
All the pieces are made up of fiber reinforced plastic and optional carbon fiber accessories will be made available, along with new exhaust tips. Sale will begin in the first quarter of next year and will be limited to 300 units, each with their own numbered serial plate.
Gallery: Premier4509 Aston Martin V8 Vantage
[Source: Premier4509]Continue reading Premier4509 limited edition body kit for Aston Martin V8 Vantage
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- Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupes, Sports/GTs, Aston Martin
The noise of other sports car makers getting their lunches eaten sounds just like the twelve cylinder engine in the Aston Martin V12 Vantage RS. A single RS sheep was caught in Italy's Stelvio Pass, being shepherded by a DBS. This Vantage RS gets some shinier wheels and a coat of delicious black paint, but otherwise, it looks like it's ready for the showroom floor. If anything could be cooler than a 600 hp Vantage packing twelve hi-rev punches, it's the DBS... but frankly, the jury's still out until we drive both of them (hint, Aston Martin...). Follow the link to check out the spy shots, and check out the gallery of hi-res pics below. Thanks for the tip, Des!
[Source: GT Spirit]
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- Filed under: Coupes, Hybrids/Alternative, Sports/GTs, Etc., Green, Aston Martin, UK, Celebrities
Prince Charles is not new to the environmental debate. His blue, 38-year-old Aston Martin, however, has had nothing to do with being environmentally friendly. Until now. The car, a gift from the Queen on Charles' 21st birthday, has joined the growing fleet of cars that run on bioethanol, having been converted to run on surplus British wine.
The wine comes from an English vineyard in Wiltshire, and the EU limits how much wine a vineyard can produce, so the vineyard sells the overage to Green Fuels, which turns it into biofuels and supplies it to the Palace.
The Aston can go ten miles on a gallon of gas, which would equate to 45 bottles of wine to go the same distance. The wine, though, puts out 85-percent less CO2 and costs £1.10 per liter, which is slightly less than the cost of gas. However, Charles only goes 300 miles in the car every year, and it's not like he's worried about gas prices, so the car won't make a difference by itself -- but he's got his royal heart in the right place.
[Source: Daily Mail]
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Archive for the 'ASTON MARTIN' Category
Saturday, March 17th, 2007
Aston Martin has announced two exciting developments for both new and existing customers of the company’s flagship Vanquish S.
Just 40 examples of a new Vanquish S Ultimate Edition will be handcrafted at the company’s Newport Pagnell production facility in Buckinghamshire. The model represents a luxurious and unique limited edition befitting the Vanquish S’s status as the ultimate Aston Martin and also celebrates the skilled craftsmanship of the team working at Newport Pagnell.
The Ultimate Edition will be available by special request to customers wishing to celebrate the last of a significant car in Aston Martin’s history. Initial feedback suggests the whole allocation of this special edition will be sold within weeks of launch.
The Ultimate Edition centres on changes to the Vanquish S’s renowned colour and trim. On the exterior, these changes include a unique ‘Ultimate Black’ – a striking new colour which will only be available with this car. Inside, the Vanquish S cabin is trimmed in a semi-aniline leather, with coarse stitching, leather headlining and black chrome finish interior fittings. Each car will also be fitted with personalised sill plaques denoting the limited edition number.
The Vanquish S Ultimate Edition retains all performance capabilities of the standard Vanquish S – and accordingly its position as the fastest ever production Aston Martin, capable of a top speed in excess of 200mph (321km/h). No additional charge will be made for the Ultimate Edition, available only with the 2+2 seating arrangement, priced at ?182,095.
For existing Vanquish customers, Aston Martin’s world renowned Works Service department are to offer a new transmission conversion for owners of the company’s flagship model, adding to their reputation for an unparalleled level of personalisation.
Serving as a further example of the depth of bespoke services available via Works Service, existing Vanquish owners will now be able to order a transmission conversion from the car’s existing Auto Shift Manual (ASM) system, to a conventional stick-shift manual.
Working in conjunction with the company’s Special Vehicles Operations team from Gaydon, Works Service has developed the system over the last 12 months, before previewing the conversion to selected Vanquish customers.
Kingsley Riding-Felce, Director, Customer Care and Works Service, said: “This project underlines our commitment to adapting to customer requests, whether they are for Aston Martins from the past or modern cars such as the Vanquish S.”
Since its launch in 2001, the Vanquish has been equipped with fingertip controlled, Formula 1-style paddles which enables almost imperceptible gear changes in under 250 milliseconds. Advanced electronics also permit the close ratio six speed manual transmission to be programmed to operate automatically.
Drivers with a preference for a conventional stick-shift transmission will now have the option of this new Works Service-only modification which is available to order immediately, with prices commencing from ?13,250 (+ VAT).
Established as a modern classic, the Vanquish’s muscular 2+2 epitomises Aston Martin’s core values of power, beauty and soul. It is the ultimate sports car for the discerning owner. Since its launch, the Vanquish has proved to be a huge success for Aston Martin with over 2000 cars delivered to customers around the world. In 2002 the Vanquish graced the screens of millions, starring alongside 007 in the James Bond film ‘Die Another Day.’
Located at Newport Pagnell in Buckinghamshire, Aston Martin Works Service offers a factory-backed workshop with the experience necessary to care for any Aston Martin or Lagonda with unparalleled skill and attention to detail. With more than 40 years experience, the Works Service team offers accident repair, servicing, maintenance and even full restoration capabilities to Aston Martin and Lagonda owners. In 2006 more than 2000 customers called upon Works Service expertise, a number which is expected to be surpassed again in 2007.
Posted in World Cars, Passenger Cars, Sport Cars, Automotive News, ASTON MARTIN | No Comments »
Thursday, November 9th, 2006
Details info:
Type : coupe
Amount of the Doors : 2
The Place Seatings : 4
The Place Seatings 젪 4
Sizes and mass : Length x width x height, mm : 4745 x 1944 x 1330 : Wheel base, mm : 2611 : Mass, kgs : 1950 : Full mass, kgs : 2380 : Service load, kgs : 430
Type of the engine : gasoline
Preparation to air gas : forced
Design of the engine : V-৭? />͠䤳⠺ No
Amount cylinder : 8
Amount valve on cylinder : 4
Volume of the engine, sm3 : 5340
Maximum engine size, sq / ls : 261 / 355
Frequency of the rotation under maximum power about/mines : 6000
Maximum turning moment, Nm : 475
Frequency of the rotation under maximum turning moment about/mines : 3700
Class bad material : Euro2
Drive : back
Gearbox : automatic跥
Amount of the issues : 4
Front springs : spring
Back springs : spring
Front brake : disc
Back brake : disc
Buses : 255/50Z18Z
Buses back travell about :
Runaway before 100 km/ch, sec. : 0.0
Maximum velocity, km/ch : 240
Consuption fuel in town cycle, l/100 km : 0.0
Consuption fuel in country cycle, l/100 km : 0.0
Consuption fuel average, l/100 km : 0.0
Volume of the tank, l. : 105
Type fuel : Super
Posted in ASTON MARTIN | No Comments »
Thursday, November 9th, 2006
Details info:
Type : coupe
Amount of the Doors : 2
The Place Seatings : 4
The Place Seatings . : 4
Sizes and mass : Length x width x height, mm : 4745 x 1944 x 1330 : Wheel base, mm : 2611 : Mass, kgs : 1920 : Full mass, kgs : 2425 : Service load, kgs : 505
Type of the engine : gasoline
Preparation to air gas : forced
Design of the engine : V-
: turbo
Amount cylinder : 8
Amount valve on cylinder : 4
Volume of the engine, sm3 : 5340
Maximum engine size, sq / ls : 410 / 558
Frequency of the rotation under maximum power about/mines : 6500
Maximum turning moment, Nm : 745
Frequency of the rotation under maximum turning moment about/mines : 4000
Class bad material : Euro2
Drive : back
Gearbox : manual
Amount of the issues : 6
Front springs : spring
Back springs : spring
Front brake : disc
Back brake : disc
Buses : 285/45R18Z
Buses back travell about :
Runaway before 100 km/ch, sec. : 4.6
Maximum velocity, km/ch : 302
Consuption fuel in town cycle, l/100 km : 0.0
Consuption fuel in country cycle, l/100 km : 0.0
Consuption fuel average, l/100 km : 0.0
Volume of the tank, l. : 105
Type fuel : Super
Posted in ASTON MARTIN | No Comments »
Thursday, November 9th, 2006
Details info:
Type : coupe
Amount of the Doors : 2
The Place Seatings : 4
The Place Seatings . : 4
Sizes and mass : Length x width x height, mm : 4646 x 1830 x 1265 : Wheel base, mm : 2591 : Mass, kgs : 1650 : Full mass, kgs : 2000 : Service load, kgs : 350 : Volume of the luggage rack, l : 178
Type of the engine : gasoline
Preparation to air gas : forced
Design of the engine : order right
:
Amount cylinder : 6
Amount valve on cylinder : 4
Volume of the engine, sm3 : 3239
Maximum engine size, sq / ls : 244 / 332
Frequency of the rotation under maximum power about/mines : 6000
Maximum turning moment, Nm : 490
Frequency of the rotation under maximum turning moment about/mines : 3000
Class bad material : Euro2
Drive : back
Gearbox : automatic
Amount of the issues : 4
Front springs : spring
Back springs : spring
Front brake : disc
Back brake : disc
Buses : 245/40R18Z
Buses back travell about :
Runaway before 100 km/ch, sec. : 5.7
Maximum velocity, km/ch : 250
Consuption fuel in town cycle, l/100 km : 0.0
Consuption fuel in country cycle, l/100 km : 0.0
Consuption fuel average, l/100 km : 0.0
Volume of the tank, l. : 83
Type fuel : Super
Posted in ASTON MARTIN | No Comments »
Wednesday, November 8th, 2006
Details info:
Type :
Amount of the Doors : 2
The Place Seatings : 4
The Place Seatings . : 4
Sizes and mass : Length x width x height, mm : 4631 x 1820 x 1268 : Wheel base, mm : 2591 : Mass, kgs : 1650 : Full mass, kgs : 2000 : Service load, kgs : 350 : Volume of the luggage rack, l : 178
Type of the engine : gasoline
Preparation to air gas : forced
Design of the engine : order right
:
Amount cylinder : 6
Amount valve on cylinder : 4
Volume of the engine, sm3 : 3239
Maximum engine size, sq / ls : 244 / 332
Frequency of the rotation under maximum power about/mines : 6000
Maximum turning moment, Nm : 490
Frequency of the rotation under maximum turning moment about/mines : 3000
Class bad material : Euro2
Drive : back
Gearbox : automatic
Amount of the issues : 4
Front springs : spring
Back springs : spring
Front brake : disc
Back brake : disc
Buses : 245/40R18Z
Buses back travell about :
Runaway before 100 km/ch, sec. : 5.7
Maximum velocity, km/ch : 250
Consuption fuel in town cycle, l/100 km : 0.0
Consuption fuel in country cycle, l/100 km : 0.0
Consuption fuel average, l/100 km : 0.0
Volume of the tank, l. : 83
Type fuel : Super
Posted in ASTON MARTIN | No Comments »
