Aston Martin Media Website

Welcome to the Aston Martin media website.

2008 has been a year of intense activity for Aston Martin. After entering independent ownership in June 2007, the pace of innovation has not slowed. The company continues to expand into new markets and develop new products. 2008 has also seen the announcement of two major new projects, the spectacular One-77 and the revival of the Lagonda brand. Not only that, but we continue to be recognised as a leader in both design and motor sport.

In July 2008, the new Design Studio at Gaydon was given a prestigious RIBA award for exceptional architectural design, while in October 2008 the influential German magazine Auto Motor und Sport nominated the DBS as the 'Most Beautiful Sports Car.' Finally, Aston Martin was nominated the world's coolest brand by the CoolBrands council for an unprecedented third year running, the first time a brand has achieved this distinction. In August 2008, Aston Martin's Chief Executive Officer, Dr Ulrich Bez opened Beijing 008, a unique artistic collaboration in China's Olympic City that highlighted the close relationship between Aston Martin and contemporary art.

In August, we announced One-77, a magnificent bespoke sports coupe that represents the ultimate expression of Aston Martin's design values and technological expertise, a car that will be as rare, desirable and inspirational as a piece of fine art. Just 77 examples of One-77 will be made, and global interest is intense following the car's tantalising debut at October's Paris Motor Show. Visit www.one-77.com for more information; additional details will be made available on this website as they are released.

Two of our core models, the V8 Vantage and the DB9, received extensive revisions during 2008, increasing power and technology to ensure these iconic designs remain at the top of their respective classes. As the year drew to a close a number of enhancements were also introduced for the flagship DBS – also starring in the latest Bond film, Quantum of Solace – which include availability of a Touchtronic six-speed automatic transmission.

We are also advancing plans to build the powerful V12 Vantage, first shown in concept form in December 2007. In 2009, our production car line-up will be joined by the Rapide, a four-door saloon of refined beauty and class-leading performance. Derived from the 2006 Rapide concept, the new saloon will be one of the most anticipated car launches of 2009.

Aston Martin Racing has had a distinguished year, with the N24 race car taking a class one-two-three at this year's Nürburgring 24 hours. 2008 saw Aston Martin achieve a remarkable result at Le Mans, when the Gulf Aston Martin DBR9 was victorious in the GT1 class – marking the second successive Le Mans victory for the DBR9.

The company also launched the Vantage GT2, a compact, high performance entry into GT2 series racing, meaning that Aston Martin now has a car for every FIA GT racing category; the only manufacturer to do so.

At September's Britcar 24 Hours at Silverstone, the Vantage N24s took 2nd, 3rd and 4th place overall (one-two-three in class), demonstrating the ability and reliability of this remarkable V8-powered machine. Both road and track cars are benefiting from the opening of Aston Martin's new Nürburgring test centre, a bespoke building that gives the brand unique access to this most demanding of circuits, helping keep intensive track development at the heart of every new Aston Martin.

Aston Martin continues to excel at design and engineering, with two new brand partnerships epitomizing this relationship. The Danish company Bang & Olufsen, perhaps the world's most revered manufacturer of audio products, worked closely with Aston Martin to develop the BeoSound DBS, a bespoke audio system for the flagship DBS. Fusing performance and high quality design, BeoSound DBS is a fitting accompaniment to this great sporting GT.

The DBS owner can also indulge in the Jaeger LeCoultre AMVOX2 DBS Transponder watch, a technological tour-de-force that integrates the car's remote door unlocking function into a superbly detailed chronograph.

Finally, in September 2008 Aston Martin announced the return of Lagonda, one of the most iconic marques in luxury saloon car manufacturing. Lagonda is synonymous with elegance and excellence, a marque adept at creating beautiful and desirable cars for the truly discerning. In 2009, the Lagonda name will once again grace a new car when we unveil a new conceptual vision, a modern interpretation of this fine and distinguished badge.

We hope the Aston Martin media website provides you with all you need to find out more about these exciting stories.

Janette Green
Director, Brand Communications