With cameras and witness phone calls, police caught many drivers in a group of 13 that were driving sports cars at speeds estimated to be over 120mph, however, are unable to go forward with more charges.

Police have the cars on film near the George Massey Tunnel, but there is nothing there to get the drivers on speeding charges. Norm Gaumont, RCMP traffic services; Supt. says “We already checked the cameras… nothing dangerous happened in the tunnel.”

The drivers are being charged with driving without due consideration for others. They are also facing multiple fines, including $196 ticket, $300 in penalty points premium, and towing and storage costs of approximately $350.

Consisting of 12 men and one woman, the group of drivers were all under 21, and many still had a novice license. Only one of the 13 actually owned the vehicle they were driving. All of the vehicles are impounded for seven days. The vehicles include three Lamborghinis, three Nissans, a Ferrari, an Audi, and Aston Martin, and two Mercedes.

The drivers with novice licences are having them reviewed for possible further penalty, however Gaumont says “We don’t have police officers who observed the offence, and we don’t have lasers and radars that have the speeds. We have to really depend on third-party individuals who had called in.”

Gaumont still believes that Surry has sufficient street racing deterrents, despite the incident.

The 13 vehicles seized:

• 2007 Ferrari 599
• 2010 Lamborghini Gallardo
• 2010 Lamborghini Gallardo
• 2009 Lamborghini Gallardo
• 2009 Audi R8
• 2012 Nissan GT-R
• 2010 Nissan GT-R
• 2010 Nissan GT-R
• 2010 Maserati GranTurismo
• 2010 Maserati GranTurismo
• 2011 Mercedes SL63 AMG
• 2011 Mercedes SLS AMG
• 2005 Aston Martin DB9

- By: Alexandra Koken

Source: Driving

The Aston Martin DB9 has been with us for about seven years now and since then, a modicum of version have been released, one of which being the hot DBS that Daniel Craig’s James Bond has been donning. That said, Aston’s DB line is up for revision and once again, the epic DBS takes the spotlight again by leading the DB9’s revision debut due in late 2012.

Pictures of the DBS prototype have been circulating the Interwebs for sometime now and it’s obvious to see that the already sexy DBS has been reworked in many ways. Changes also continue to the insides as the cockpit will be the first to see a revision since the DB’s inception in 2004.

Many of the changes are strongly reminiscent of the One-77 supercar. For example, the hood features cooling vents and curves much like the One-77’s hood. Speaking of which, the DBS’s 6.0L V12 will receive a 20-hp bump for a full 630-hp. Dear lord.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: AutoCar

2010 Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe

Earlier last month, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its annual rating of fuel winners and losers. Not surprisingly, the 2011 Toyota Prius was named the most fuel-efficient vehicle in the United States, while the 2011 Bugatti Veyron was the worst.

However there were some surprising categorizations made by the EPA. According to the EPA, the Bentley Continental GTC is a subcompact car. The Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe and the Phantom Drophead Coupe are classified as compact cars like the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla.

Want us to keep going? The Aston Martin DB9 and DBS are classified to be minicompact cars like the Mini Cooper.

So what’s going on here? The EPA classifies vehicles based on their interior volume. That is why the Nissan Versa is classified as a midsize car, which Nissan doesn’t agree with.

Does the EPA need to change its classification rules? We think so.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Wheels

2007 Aston Martin DBS

Let’s start the morning off with two recalls back-to-back. Joining Cadillac and the recall of the 2010 SRX crossovers, Aston Martin is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 DB9 Coupe, DB9 Volante, V8 Vantage Coupe, V8 Vantage Roadster and DBS Coupes.

Aston Martin told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that the front bottom suspension arm cam bolt could crack along its shank allowing the lower control arm to move. Movement of the lower control arm will impact the driver’s control of the steering, increasing the risk of a crash.

Aston Martin said that dealers will replace the front suspension lower control arm cam bolts free of charge. The recall is expected to begin before October 18, 2010. Owners can contact Aston Martin Customer Service at 1-888-923-9988 for more details. They may also contact NHTSA’s safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153).

- By: Omar Rana

2011 Aston Martin DB9

Aston Martin has announced the pricing details on its new 2011 DB9, which will hit dealerships later this fall. Prices for the 2011 Aston Martin DB9 coupe start at $187,615, while the convertible 2011 DB9 Volante will start at $201,115.

Click here to get a price quote on the 2011 Aston Martin DB9.

The 2011 Aston Martin DB9 keeps its 470-hp 6.0L V12 engine under the hood but gets some subtle enhancements to its exterior including a new front bumper, revised grille, reshaped lower intake with a hexagonal mesh, new headlight bezels, redesigned sills, 20-spoke diamond turned alloy wheels and clear rear light lenses.

Click here for our original post on the 2011 Aston Martin DB9.

2011 Aston Martin DB9:

- By: Omar Rana

2011 Aston Martin DB9

“Improving upon what many consider to be one of the most beautiful cars in the world is a delicate exercise,” says Aston Martin. Nonetheless, they did it – the company has revealed their new 2011 Aston Martin DB9 with new styling and some engineering and equipment upgrades.

Aston designers gave new 2011 DB9 subtle enhancements in appearance including a new front bumper, new grille, a reshaped lower intake that now features a hexagonal mesh, new headlight bezels, re-styled sills, silver brake calipers, 20-spoke diamond turned alloy wheels and clear rear light lenses.

Power still comes from the 6.0 V12 engine making 470-hp and 442 lb-ft of torque. Mated to a 6-speed Touchtronic paddle shift automatic or a 6-speed H pattern manual, the DB9 goes from 0-60 mph in 4.6 seconds with a top speed of 190 mph.

UK prices for the 2011 Aston Martin DB9 Coupe will start at £122,445 ($184,906 USD) while the DB9 Volante will start at £131,445 ($198,497 USD).

2011 Aston Martin DB9:

Press Release:

Aston Martin DB9: The Definitive Sports Grand Tourer

DB9 receives package of styling, engineering and equipment enhancements
“¢ Adaptive Damping System introduced across Coupe and Volante range
“¢ Changes re-affirm DB9″s position as the world”s finest sports grand tourer
“¢ Production of revised car underway, deliveries from July

28 June 2010, Gaydon, Warwickshire: In the most significant programme of upgrades since its world debut in 2003, Aston Martin”s DB9 range has received a complete package of styling, engineering and equipment enhancements.

As the most successful Aston Martin of all-time (an honour it shares with the V8 Vantage) the DB9 has established itself as the definitive grand tourer, thanks to an enduring combination of understated elegance, sporting character and genuine luxury.

For Dr Ulrich Bez, Aston Martin”s Chief Executive, the DB9 remains a very special car: “The DB9 is the quintessential sporting grand tourer and offers an unrivalled combination of driver involvement, character, luxury and refinement. This car combines our unique Aston Martin character with an uncompromised design philosophy, craftsmanship and trademark Aston Martin performance ability.”

This new package of improvements compliments these core qualities perfectly. Subtle styling changes freshen the DB9″s appearance, with a new front bumper, bright finish radiator grille and a re-shaped lower intake featuring bright hexagonal mesh. New headlight bezels, re-styled sills, silver brake calipers, 20-spoke diamond turned alloy wheels and clear rear light lenses complete the external revisions.

Under the skin the DB9″s passive damping system has been replaced by a new Adaptive Damping System (ADS), which offers enhanced ride comfort together with sharper handling when switched to Sport mode. The ADS system is offered as standard equipment across the DB9 range, encompassing both Coupe and Volante (convertible). A new tyre pressure monitoring system, a revised Bluetooth microphone system and the addition of a new Double Apex alloy finish trim and Bang & Olufsen hi-fi options broaden the DB9″s specification.

Aston Martin”s Product Development Director, Ian Minards, explains that it is all part of an ongoing commitment to continual improvement: “The DB9 was the first car built at Gaydon adopting the VH architecture. It has evolved every year since, with significant changes including a power upgrade and successive reductions in CO2 emissions. The latest package of improvements goes further than ever, highlighting the DB9″s qualities as a true sporting GT and underlining its role as the backbone car of our range.”

The Aston Martin DB9 is available as either Coupe or Volante (convertible) with rear mid-mounted six-speed manual gearbox as standard or optional “˜Touchtronic 2″ six-speed automatic transmission. Production of the revised DB9 is already underway, with deliveries commencing in July. Prices start from £122,445 for the DB9 Coupe and £131,445 for the DB9 Volante.

Background

The introduction of the DB9 marked the beginning of Aston Martin”s 21st Century renaissance. The first new model to be built at Aston Martin”s headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire, and the first to be built around Aston Martin”s rigid, lightweight, bonded aluminium VH architecture; the DB9 was an immediate and unparalleled success, setting a new tone for Aston Martins of the future.

Since its launch in 2003 some 12,500 DB9s have been produced and delivered to customers in 34 countries. This establishes it as the most successful Aston Martin model of all-time (jointly with the V8 Vantage), surpassing total sales of the DB7. Current DB9 production volume is around 1,500 cars per year.

Engineering

Since the DB9″s introduction Aston Martin has demonstrated the versatility of the VH architecture by developing the Vantage, DBS and Rapide model ranges. In the process Aston Martin”s engineers have gained an increasingly detailed understanding of the VH platform, which in turn has led to the constant improvement and evolution of existing established models.

In this latest package of improvements for DB9, hardware changes focus on the chassis, featuring a standard Adaptive Damping System (ADS) which offers a system constantly evaluating the optimum damper condition, similar to that seen on the DBS and Rapide models. Controlled by a button on the centre console, the two-stage adaptive dampers can be switched between their default mode, which is optimised for ride comfort, and a firmer sport mode, which delivers tighter body control and a more responsive feel. Such is the success of the DB9″s new damping system that the DB9 Sport Pack upgrade has now been discontinued. However a Sport design alloy wheel is available as an option.

Performance comes courtesy of Aston Martin”s celebrated 6.0-litre V12 engine, which develops an unchanged 470bhp and 442lb ft of torque. Mated to a choice of six-speed “˜Touchtronic” paddle-shift automatic or six-speed H-pattern manual transmissions, the DB9 offers an intoxicating blend of effortless pace and sporting character. A top speed of 190mph and the ability to hit 60mph in just 4.6sec seal its credentials as the definitive 2+2 Grand Tourer.

Design

Improving upon what many consider to be one of the most beautiful cars in the world is a delicate exercise. According to Aston Martin”s Director of Design, Marek Reichman, subtlety and fine attention to detail is the key: “The beauty of an Aston Martin comes from harmonious proportions, a ground-hugging stance, taut surfacing and a complete and thorough attention to detail. The DB9 epitomises these qualities; it is beautiful but subtle ““ not attention seeking.”

At the front a new bumper is the main change, with a re-shaped lower intake featuring hexagonal mesh to compliment the new bright finish radiator grille. New headlamp bezels complete the fresh nose treatment. In profile the DB9″s sill has also been changed, with a more prominent “˜hockey stick” curve ahead of the rear wheels. Marek Reichman explains: “The DB9 remains one of the world”s most beautiful sports cars and is instantly recognisable as an Aston Martin; the changes we have introduced here modernise the DB9 to keep it at the forefront of automotive design.”

Other changes include silver brake calipers, 20-spoke diamond turned alloy wheels as standard, together with new design option wheels and a bright finish grille. Clear rear light lenses are also standard. Inside Double Apex alloy finish is now added to the list of options, along with the exceptional BeoSound audio system from Bang & Olufsen.

Motorsport

Mirroring the DB9″s road-going success, Aston Martin Racing”s DBR9 and DBRS9 endurance racers have proved hugely successful on racetracks around the world. With a total of some 20 DBR9 and 30 DBRS9s built and delivered to customer teams around the world, Aston Martins have consistently scored victories in a host of national and international championships.

Since winning on its race debut, at Sebring in 2005, the DBR9 has been established as a constant and hugely competitive car in the GT1 category, scoring back-to-back class victories at the greatest 24-hour race of them all ““ Le Mans – in 2007 and 2008.

- By: Omar Rana

edo Competition Aston Martin DB9 to DBS Conversion

So you’re a Russian man that owns a 2005 Aston Martin DB9 but wants to roll around in a DBS – what do you do? You hire edo Competition to take your car away for six months to9 their Ahlen, Germany workshop and develop a package that converts it into a Aston Martin DBS.

edo Competition the 2005 DB9 and added a new carbon fiber front fascia, a carbon fiber rear diffuser, a new bonnet, extra vents and a wider stance. Inside, edo added a mix of Alcantara and leather with contrasting off-white and charcoal gray colors. There is also carbon fiber and brushed metal trims.

The tuner also upgraded the engine output from 470-hp to 550-hp. The extra power allows the DB9 to hit a top speed of 199 mph, 16 mph more than the original top speed.

Pretty cool – if you have the money. We’re guessing edo Competition has no plans to release the package to the general public.

Click through for the high-res image gallery.

edo Competition Aston Martin DB9 to DBS Conversion:

- By: Omar Rana

Source: edo Competition (via WCF)

Aston Martin Lagonda Concept

Aston Martin is getting ready to launch six new models over the next six years. The models will include a replacement to the DB9 / DBS, Vantage, Rapide as well as new models including the Lagonda and Cygnet.

The Aston Martin DB9 replacement will include a redesigned exterior, fresh interior and an updated V12 engine. Much of the VH structure alloy underpinnings will be upgraded to cut weight and improve stiffness. The next-generation DBS will get more power and a sportier chassis along with a revised interior and a more aggressive exterior. All these changes are expected to be made between 2013 and 2015.

In 2014, Aston will update the Vantage, which is being engineered alongside the DB9. The next Vantage will feature some structural changes to reduce weight. Also in 2014, Aston Martin will push its Lagonda brand. Aston is still pushing its Lagonda SUV concept, which will share its underpinnings with the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class.

Even though the Aston Martin Rapide sedan just made its market debut, Aston is working on the next-generation model, which should arrive in 2016. Aston has ruled out a Lagonda sedan in favor of the Rapide.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: AutoCar

2009 Aston Martin DB9

Aston Martin is working on a revamp of its DB9 flagship supercar and the Vantage 2-seater for 2013/2014. However, instead of engineering all-new models, Aston will refresh the current range. Plans for a full revamp and shifting the models further upmarket have been shelved.

“We’re not going to start from scratch again when we already have experience with excellent cutting-edge technology,” an Aston source told AutoCar.

Click here to get prices on the 2010 Aston Martin DB9.

Design inspiration for the new DB9 will come from the One-77 supercar, however, styling will definitely be toned down. As for the Vantage, the model will get a more Aston Martin Rapide sedan styling. Inside, both models will get an upgraded interior.

A major focus for both models will be to reduce the overall curb weight. “There’s plenty more yet to come from the VH platform,” said one insider.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: AutoCar

While Aston Martin is concentrating on the relaunch of its Lagonda brand, the premium sports car maker is considering a strategic change for its next-generation of sports cars. According to AutoWeek, the DB9 and V8 Vantage models may move upmarket with a higher price tag and lower production volumes.

Basically, Aston Martin wants to charge more for its cars and wants to be more exclusive. It’s testing the market with the new $1.75 million One-77 of which only 77 units will be made. If Aston Martin is basing its decision on how well the One-77 does, we can expect the next round of Aston’s to carry a higher price point since all units of the One-77 have been accounted for.

The Aston Martin DB9 and V8 Vantage replacements are currently in concept stage and are expected to be launched in 2011.

Two options are currently being considered. One is to move the Vantage closer to the DB9 price tag and move the DB9 closer to the $277,000 price tag of the DBS. Another option is to replace the DB9 and the Vantage with one exclusive model. When FoMoCo dropped Aston last year, rumor on the streets was that a mid-engine was in the works for 2011.

Do you think Aston Martin should move upmarket with the way the industry is going right now? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.

Source: AutoWeek