Skip to main content

V8s and carbon dominate Aston Martin’s special edition unveilings

Aston Martins are already pretty special, but the British carmaker decided to go the extra mile with two new models set to debut at the 2014 New York Auto Show.

First up is the V8 Vantage GT. Available in both coupe and convertible form, it might help the “entry-level” Aston come out of the shadow of its fire-breathing, V12 Vantage siblings.

The GT’s 4.7-liter V8 now produces 470 horsepower (a torque figure wasn’t published), enough to get it from 0 to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds, and on to a top speed of 190 mph, according to Aston. The extra power comes courtesy of a revised intake system and spark strategy.

That power is fed to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual transmission; Aston’s Sportshift II automated manual is optional.

Other upgrades include an aerodynamics package Aston says is derived from its sports-car racing experience, “competition-derived” brakes and – perhaps most important – a sport exhaust system to help that glorious V8 clear its throat.

In addition to the noise, onlookers will be able to spot a Vantage GT by its graphite alloy wheels, black headlamp bezels, and clear rear lamps. Liveries inspired by famous Aston racers will also be available, along with white graphic accents.

The interior is swathed in carbon fiber and Alcantara, while occupants sit in the same sport seats used in the V12 Vantage S.

Next up is the DB9 Carbon Edition, which first appeared at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show. No, it’s not Aston’s answer to the carbon-themed Lamborghini Sesto Elemento.

Available in Carbon Black or Carbon White specification, the Carbon Edition is more of a dress-up package, with each version’s respective paint color contrasting carbon-fiber trim. Buyers also get to choose from four brake caliper colors, which correspond to the color of the interior accents.

The DB9’s 6.0-liter V12 is unchanged, though, producing the same 510 hp and 457 pound-feet of torque it does in other models.

If you want an Aston with a little extra flair, both the V8 Vantage GT and the DB9 Carbon Edition will be available in the U.S. later this year. Prices start at $99,900 for the Vantage and $199,995 for the DB9.

Stephen Edelstein
Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…
Tesla introduces ‘congestion fee’ for Supercharger stations
Tesla Supercharger

Tesla has been charging an idle fee for years in a bid to free up its Superchargers and prevent traffic jams at charging stations. But now it’s introducing a new congestion fee, which in some places will replace the idle fee.

To recap, idle fees kick in when a Supercharger station is at 50% capacity. It means that if a car is left plugged in after it is fully charged, the owner has to pay 50 cents a minute until they leave. If the station is 100% occupied, the fee doubles to $1 a minute.

Read more
This popular car jump starter is 86% off for Black Friday
AVAPOW 6000A Car Jump Starter

There's nothing worse than needing to go somewhere and having to deal with a dead car battery. Fixing that issue can also be a problem since you'll need to call for help from a friend or neighbor or something like AAA. Luckily, car starters have become pretty powerful in recent years, so even if you have a truck or an RV, you can start a dead battery relatively easily. One great example is the Avapow 6000A car jump starter, which has an excellent Black Friday deal from Walmart, knocking it down to $86 from $144.

Why you should buy the AVAPOW 6000A Car Jump Starter
As the name might suggest, the Avapow 6000A has a massive 6000A peak current, which means it's suitable for everything from trucks to tractors, so it's a very versatile tool, and it's even had upgraded jumper cable to handle those currents. It's also a pretty smart system since it has eight layers of safety protocols to ensure you don't accidentally fry a battery or yourself trying to jump-start, and even the jumper cables have safety indicators on them, which is a great design choice.

Read more
This Graco car seat lasts for ten years, and it’s 25% off for Black Friday
Graco 4EVER 4-in-1 baby car seat black friday deal

A good car seat will adjust as your child grows, reducing the amount of times you have to buy a newer, bigger model. How, you ask? Well, Graco's 4EVER DLX 4-in-1 car seat is the ideal example. It offers up to ten years of use, with seamless transformations between rear-facing harness, forward-facing harness, high back belt positioned, and backless belt positioned booster modes.

For Black Friday -- and really, this should be featured in the best Black Friday deals -- this exact car seat is on sale for 25% off, which is a discount of $82. Normally $330, it's yours today for just $248. Considering you'll never have to buy another seat for ten years, and by then, they can use a seatbelt, it's a fantastic investment.

Read more