Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Cars
  3. Products

Aston Martin unleashes V8 Vantage N430 and DB9 Carbon Edition in Geneva

Joe Mahan
By

Many new editions, concepts, ideas, and eventually cars come to the Geneva Motor Show. Unsurprisingly, Aston Martin is bringing two new special edition options for the V8 Vantage and DB9. Like anything new and upcoming in the automotive world, these two editions most likely won’t grace us with their presence in the United States. Although it is Aston Martin, so you probably want to know.

The V8 Vantage N430 now pumps out – wait for it – 430 horsepower, as compared to the N420 special edition from 2010, which only made 420 ponies Ten more horsepower hurdles the Aston’s top speed to a blinding 190 mph and decreases the 0 to 60 mph time down to 4.6 seconds. The extra grunt is blasted onto the tarmac through your choice of a close-ratio seven-speed Sportshift II transmission or hefty six-speed manual.

Aston offers the Vantage in its trademark yellow and green. Details include black accents around the grille, headlights, and side window which help to create a more menacing look for this already shark-like car. 10-spoke wheels are included and finished in graphite that drops jaws and about 40 pounds from the car as well. Graphic packages are optional to further make the car less shiny and more ominous in light of the increased power.

It wouldn’t be Aston Martin if the interior were left untouched. The V8 Vantage receives special carbon sill plates, black magnesium paddle shifters or a carbon fiber gearshift. Leather stitching in the steering wheel will match N430 seat logos and optional seat trim patterns. All of this comes in at quite the price tag: $150,000, converted from British pounds to be exact.

If you dislike the Vantage and lust after carbon fiber anything than the new carbon edition of the DB9 is for you. The monstrous 6.0-liter V12 used in the DB9 makes 510 hp and 457 lb-ft of torque. With all that power, one might go blind or revert back to only seeing in black and white, which happens to be the two colors offered for this special carbon edition. The carbon edition only maxes out at 183 mphm which is still quite a kick in the pants.

More eye candy is received in the form of tantalizing carbon fiber side strakes and black window surrounds. Inside the owners can of course customize interior colors that will match their brake calipers. “Carbon Black” or “Carbon White” logos are engraved into the door sills. The price tag however has not been mentioned. 

Topics
Joe Mahan
Joe Mahan
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Joe Mahan is an intern at Digital Trends working in the Cars section. He is currently a Junior at the University of Portland…
Mercedes-Benz EQG: range, price, release date, and more
Concept image of the larger electric G-Wagon

The G-Class is going electric. We already knew that Mercedes-Benz was working on an electric, small-size G-Wagon, but it looks like the company is also working on a larger G-Class SUV, in the form of the EQG. In fact, Mercedes has gone as far as to show off a concept version of the off-roader.

While there's much we don't know about what will become the production model of the EQG, Mercedes has also shared a lot about it. Curious about whether the Mercedes-Benz EQG could be the EV for you? Here's everything we know so far.
Design
Fear not -- the EQG will retain many of the design aspects of the G-Class that you already know and love but with a modern face-lift. The EQG will keep the boxy design that gives the G-Class a classic look but with some additional modern styling, at least if the concept version is anything to go by.

Read more
Rivian R2 vs. Kia EV9: battle of affordable electric SUVs
Kia EV9 GT-Line Three Quarters

The long-awaited Rivian R2 has finally been announced, and it's an excellent option for those who want an electric SUV that doesn't completely break the bank. Sure, the R2 isn't cheap -- but it's a whole lot cheaper than most other EVs out there, especially when it comes to SUVs. But Rivian isn't the only company trying to tackle the problem of the budget electric SUV. The Kia EV9 is finally available, and it too offers a modern design and a range of helpful features.

Given the fact that the Rivian R2 and Kia EV9 are two electric SUVs in a similar price range, you might be wondering which is better for your needs. That's why we put the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 head-to-head.
Design
Both the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 are actual SUVs -- not crossovers pretending to be SUVs, like plenty of other EVs out there. The two vehicles offer big, boxy designs and plenty of interior space, making them excellent options for families or those who need that extra storage.

Read more
Rivian R2 vs R1S: How will Rivian’s cheaper SUV compare?
The front three-quarter view of a 2022 Rivian against a rocky backdrop.

Rivian has finally unveiled the R2, its long-awaited attempt at a more affordable electric SUV. The new vehicle may not be available just yet, but fans of Rivian's design aesthetics and feature set are already looking forward to being able to order the new car. The R2 is targeted at being a more affordable take on the electric SUV and will sit alongside the flagship-tier R1S.

Let's get this out of the way right now: The R1S is most likely going to be a better vehicle than the R2. Rivian isn't replacing the R1S with the R2 — it's releasing the R2 as a more affordable alternative, and there will be some compromises when buying the R2 over the R1S.

Read more