Aston Martin adds a soft top to the stunningly beautiful new Vanquish Zagato, the Volante.

To accompany the North American debut of the Vanquish Zagato Coupe at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, Aston Martin is proud to announce a striking partner for this very special car; the Vanquish Zagato Volante.

Driven by overwhelming customer interest for the previously revealed Coupe, the Vanquish Zagato Volante will be strictly built to a limited production run of 99 cars at Aston Martin's headquarters in Gaydon, England.

Vanquish Zagato Volante is the latest creation from a collaboration that reaches back over nearly six decades, beginning with the beautifully muscular DB4 GT Zagato race car of 1960 and includes the DB7 Vantage Zagato of 2002, 2011’s V12 Vantage Zagato and the most recent Vanquish Zagato Coupe announced earlier this year.

Previous Aston Martin Zagato convertibles have included the striking V8 Vantage Volante, first shown in Geneva in 1987 and the DB AR1 in 2003. Developed as an open-topped Zagato-bodied DB7 and also limited to 99 units, DB AR1 was similarly designed for the North American market and is considered today an established collectible by automotive connoisseurs worldwide.

The Vanquish Zagato Volante will be a powerful addition to the Aston Martin and Zagato lineage, embodying Aston Martin's inherent refinement and capabilities, as well as Zagato's characteristic design details. Both cars share an enhanced version of Aston Martin's iconic V12 powertrain, increasing its output to 592bhp with a projected 0-60mph time of 3.7 seconds.

The Vanquish Zagato Volante shares its proportions with the Coupe, a quintessential Aston Martin form with a classic Zagato twist, evoked by round tail light reflectors that use the same 'bladed' LED technology as the Aston Martin Vulcan supercar. The twin cowls on the rear deck blend into the leading edge of the luggage compartment, concealing a bespoke folding hood derived from the mechanism used in the Vanquish Volante. Carbon fibre sills around the lower body create a pronounced horizontal emphasis that runs from front to rear.

“Just like the Coupe, we have emphasised the way surfaces change and intersect to create a muscular form. We’ve endeavoured to create an elegant, flowing shape that really works to emphasise the car’s sculpted rear haunches” says Aston Martin’s EVP and Chief Creative Officer, Marek Reichman.

Inside, the Vanquish Zagato Volante continues the fine tradition of Aston Martin craftsmanship. Aston Martin's specialist 'Q' division can add further personalisation and enhancement to a cabin finished with rich and highly luxurious materials, including herringbone carbon-fibre, anodized bronze detailing and the finest Bridge of Weir leather. The Volante features the unique signature ‘Z’ quilt pattern stitch on both seat and door sections, as well as the celebrated trademark Zagato ‘Z’ embossed on the headrests and stitched into the centre console.

“The Vanquish Zagato Volante illustrates the ways in which Aston Martin design can evolve in collaboration with such a trusted and long-standing partner,' says Reichman. “Vanquish Zagato Volante continues Aston Martin's new century of innovation and creativity, strengthening the association between these great automotive marques in the process”.

Customer deliveries are set to begin in 2017.

A new Aston Dealership to open in the South West, the Dick Lovett Group will open its new Bristol Showroom soon.

• Brand new dealership will service South-West region of UK
• Facility will be operated by Dick Lovett group
• Prime location will offer sales and servicing of the full range of Aston Martin models

Aston Martin will celebrate the opening of a brand new dealership this summer when Aston Martin Bristol opens its doors to customers in the south-west of the UK.

The new dealership – located in Cribbs Causeway, close to Junction 17 of the M5 motorway – is the first Aston Martin dealership for the Dick Lovett Group.

Aston Martin Bristol will cover the entire south-west of the UK, offering new and used Aston Martins for sale, along with a full service centre, creating more than 20 new jobs in the process.

The new 27,000 sq ft showroom will offer the full range of sports cars and customers will have the opportunity to activate ‘Q by Aston Martin’ on all new purchases to create a unique configuration for their car.

Like every Aston Martin dealer, the new business will offer an unrivalled quality of service and expertise to its customers.

Marcus Blake, General Manager, UK and South Africa said: “2016 is going to be an exciting year for Aston Martin and we are delighted to be working alongside the Dick Lovett Group, in opening a new state-of-the-art facility in Bristol this summer. We are confident the Aston Martin Bristol team will provide our valued customers in Bristol and the South West Region an exceptional service that will meet all their needs and exceed their expectations.”

Lynn Campbell, Managing Director, Dick Lovett Group added: “We are delighted to be working alongside Aston Martin, an iconic marque of unrivalled heritage. The opening of our new state-of-the-art facility this summer, in our 50^th year, will make 2016 even more special. The facility has been uniquely designed, nestled into Laurel Hill, and reflects Aston Martin’s core design philosophy and craftsmanship. We are dedicated to providing new and existing Aston Martin owners with a service which surpasses their expectations.”

After a £1,000,000 investment, Aston Martin opens a new Showroom in Belfast.

• Aston Martin Belfast opens new £1m facility
• New and pre-owned showroom and servicing facilities now operational
• Guests treated to an impressive display of new products

Aston Martin Belfast’s new facility opened its doors last night as customers enjoyed a celebratory reception to mark the occasion and were treated to an exclusive display.

The dealership, which continues to be operated by long-term partner Charles Hurst, benefits from a £1m development and signals the group’s commitment to the luxury British brand.

Opened officially by Marcus Blake, Aston Martin Regional Director, UK, the new dealership benefits from a luxurious new and pre-owned showroom, dedicated aftersales team and a workshop staffed by world-class Gaydon-trained technicians. As a result, both current and future Aston Martin customers from Northern Ireland and Ireland can continue to expect the highest levels of customer service.

Attendees were also treated to a private viewing of the new Aston Martin DB10 which will be seen in the upcoming James Bond film Spectre. Also included in the display was Aston Martin Racing endurance veteran, the #97 V8 Vantage GTE, and models from the company’s current line-up, spearheaded by the DB9 GT.

The site, which is situated on Boucher Road, Belfast, adds to the group’s impressive dealer network and is now fully operational for customers throughout the region.

Marcus Blake, Regional Director, UK & South Africa said, “I’m proud to have been here to officially open Aston Martin Belfast’s new facility. Charles Hurst is a fantastic partner and we thoroughly look forward to welcoming new and current customers to their Belfast location in the near future.”

Michael Gimson, Senior Sales Executive, Charles Hurst Group also commented, “We’ve been overwhelmed by the reaction of our guests this evening. The investment that we’ve made into this new dealership symbolises the strength of the relationship between ourselves and Aston Martin and we were incredibly honoured to showcase the Aston Martin DB10 as part of tonight’s display.”

Aston martin Opens all new Logistics and warehouse hub in the next stage of it's expansion.

• Additional warehouse and logistics hub opened
• New facility creates 40 jobs among workforce of 90 staff
• Almost 250,000 sq ft of increased storage and operations space

Aston Martin is today announcing the opening of a new warehouse and logistics hub. Created to support the future expansion of the business, the new facility is located at Wellesbourne, close to the company's headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire.

Representing a multi-million pound investment, the new development is the largest storage and distribution base in the company's 102-year history. Aston Martin Manufacturing Operations Director Keith Stanton said: "The opening of this superb new facility at Wellesbourne is a vital part of our Second Century Plan.

"Ensuring we have the right materials in the right place at the right time is, of course, fundamental to our manufacturing process. As the volume and complexity of our operations increases in the months and years ahead, we will be relying on the team at Wellesbourne to help us deliver our exciting new generation of Aston Martin sports cars."

Running to almost a quarter of a million square feet of storage, operations and office space, the Wellesbourne facility functions as a centralised warehouse for supplier deliveries and provides a steady stream of production-critical materials for use in Aston Martin's global manufacturing base at nearby Gaydon.

Almost a year in the planning and construction, the development has created around 40 new jobs, and employs 90 staff in total. The site has been painstakingly laid out and carefully constructed to demanding environmental standards. It has secured a 'Very Good' environmental rating according to the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM).

Aston Martin looks to its second century with a host of new cars at the Pebble Beach® Automotive Week.

• Market debut of new 2016 DB9 GT; to be showcased at The Aston Martin Estate
• North American debuts for innovative DBX concept and new Lagonda Taraf
• Following starring role at the New York Auto Show, the Aston Martin Vulcan track supercar returns to the US

Aston Martin’s new 2016 DB9 GT will make its global debut as part of the marque’s presence at the Pebble Beach® Automotive Week from 13 August, accompanied by a glimpse of Aston Martin’s Second Century with the DBX concept, Lagonda Taraf and Aston Martin Vulcan supercar all set for appearances.

The DB9 GT is the luxury British sports car maker’s most compelling production ‘DB’ to date, designed to offer world-class grand touring and hand-built excellence. 

Claiming the title of the most potent DB9 yet devised, by virtue of its uprated 6.0-litre V12 engine which now boasts 540bhp – the DB9 GT continues a distinguished tradition of luxury, excitement and style with a raft of engineering, equipment and styling developments calculated to make this the very best of what DB9 can be.

Aston Martin’s ‘Second Century’ plan was announced by Dr. Andy Palmer after completion of his first 150 days as CEO of Aston Martin. 

A comprehensive strategy for the ongoing growth and development of the 102-year old sport car maker, the plan laid out the principle mid-term actions, particularly in the area of new product development that will drive the growth of the company.

The DBX concept – now confirmed for production – underlines Aston Martin’s growth plans by signaling an expansion into the luxury GT crossover market as part of a wider strategy to develop the strongest and most diverse product portfolio in the company’s history.

Offering a challenge to the existing status quo in the high luxury GT segment, the DBX promises stylish, comfortable, practical and environmentally responsible luxury GT travel.  

The DBX, which made a surprise global debut at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year and has generated interest beyond expectations, will make its first appearance in North America at the Aston Martin Estate from Thursday 13 August. 

The 800+bhp Aston Martin Vulcan makes its second bow in North America following a New York debut in April and will also be on display at the Aston Martin Estate alongside DBX. 

Styled entirely in-house by the Aston Martin design team led by Chief Creative Officer Marek Reichman and with a design language hinting at the next generation of Aston Martin sports cars, the Aston Martin Vulcan is powered by the most potent iteration yet of the company’s naturally-aspirated, 7.0-litre V12 petrol engine. 

With a powerplant developed in conjunction with Aston Martin Racing, this front mid-engined, rear-wheel drive sports car draws extensively on the brand’s rich GT motorsport experience. 

Marking a first appearance in the North American market, the new Lagonda Taraf super saloon draws inspiration from the highly sought-after William Towns-designed Lagonda of 1976 and features many of the same cutting edge engineering techniques seen in modern Aston Martin sports cars, such as the extensive use of carbon fibre body panels.

The car is hand-built by the finest craftsmen and women at Aston Martin’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Gaydon, Warwickshire, UK in a dedicated building previously given over to the creation of the One-77 supercar. 

The Lagonda Taraf will be exclusively available for viewings to customers and invited guests at the Aston Martin Estate (13 & 15 August) as well as leading the marque’s presence at  Quail: A Motorsports Gathering (14 August). 

The British marque will again host guests at the exclusive Aston Martin Estate. This exquisite private venue, situated high above Carmel with panoramic views across the Monterey Bay, provides the ideal backdrop for showcasing Aston Martin’s latest sports car range to customers and friends of the brand.

This grand estate will also serve as the location for a myriad of exclusive events including private viewings of new Aston Martins and test drives of the marque’s current line-up of handcrafted high performance sports cars. 

Supported by Belvedere, Conrad Sanchez, Ghurka, Gulfstream, LMC Home Entertainment Systems, Louis Roederer, Sea Ray, Sotheby’s, The Trunk Club featuring Eton and VIZIO, more than 1,000 customers are expected to visit during the week. 

An ultra-rare, unrestored and original Aston DB6 Mk 1 Volante Vantage set a new record for Barons.

An ultra-rare, unrestored and highly original 1969 Aston Martin DB6 Mk 1 Volante Vantage set a new record for Barons when it sold for £781,000 at Sandown Park on July 28^th. The highest price ever achieved for a car at a Barons sale, it broke the auction house’s previous record of £739,000, set just three months ago for a 1954 Bentley R-Type Continental Fastback ‘barn find’.

The Aston above is the one sold at Auction, the cars below are illustrative examples of models that were sold at the auction, but are not the actual cars.

“We believe this may be a record for an unrestored example of this particular Aston Martin, so these are very exciting times for Barons,” said company director Peter Gascoigne. 

“The past six months since Tony Cavell and I took the reins have seen significant growth in the value and quality of cars across the sales, and in the overall sale results. To have two such cars within three months of each other is truly remarkable.”

The Sandown Park saleroom was packed, and the number of online bidders had swelled by 50% for this sale. Bidding on the Aston – one of just 29 ever made, and believed to be the final such Volante Vantage built – actually started slowly, building gradually from an initial £350,000. 

Then telephone bids began flooding in and the car accelerated rapidly up to the final figure paid by the UK buyer.

Another British classic was second in the popularity charts at the sale. The stunning 1968 Series 1.5 Jaguar E-type 2+2 had been the subject of a comprehensive nut-and-bolt bare metal restoration, and sold for £46,750. 

It was followed by a very impressive, and considerably younger, machine; the 2014 Dax Cobra, which has just 500 miles on the clock, roared past its £20,000 estimate to sell for £32,175.

Barons is now gearing up for its British Heritage, Classic & Collectors’ Sale, at Sandown Park on September 15^th.

The full results of Barons’ July 28^th sale appear below.

Year	Make	Model	Sold @ Inc
1969	Aston Martin	DB6 MKI Volante Vantage	£781,000
1968	Jaguar	E-type 1.5 2+2 Coupe	£46,750
2014	Dax	Cobra	£32,175
1989	Porsche	911 Carrera	£22,000
1963	Triumph	TR4	£21,450
2002	Porsche	911 Carrera 4 Widebody Coupe	£15,950
1977	Jaguar	XJ6 4.2 S2	£11,825
1961	Jaguar	MKII 3.4 Saloon	£11,220
1967	Ford	Mustang	£9,900
1990	Jaguar	XJS 3.6	£9,350
1977	Triumph	Stag	£8,525
1966	MG	B Roadster	£8,250
1972	Fiat	500L	£6,820
1994	Land Rover	Range Rover Vogue LSE	£6,050
	B0B 60	Registration number	£5500
1971	MG	1300 MK2	£5,225
1974	Fiat	500R	£4,675
1986	Porsche	928 S2 Coupe	£4,400
1997	BMW	Z3 1.9	£4,290
1992	Porsche	968 Cabriolet	£4,180
1989	Volkswagen	Golf Gti 16V	£3,410
1973	Morris	Mini 1000	£3,300
1977	Ford	Capri	£3,300
1986	Jaguar	XJS 5.3 V12	£3,300
2001	BMW	Z3 3.0i	£3,300
1957	Ford	Anglia 100E	£3,080
1985	Volkswagen	MKI Golf Gti Cabriolet	£2,970
1998	Alfa Romeo	Spider 2.0	£2,695
1999	Volkswagen	Golf Convertible	£2,530
1989	BMW	320i Convertible	£2,475
1978	MG	Midget	£1,870
2003	MG	TF 1.8	£1,650
1986	Saab	900GLS TA	£1,200
1980	Daimler	Sovereign 4.2	£1,150
1976	MG	B Roadster	£750