Aston Martin: What's New for 2010
By Scott Oldham, Editor in Chief | Published Nov 18, 2009
2010 Aston Martin DB9: There are no changes for 2010.
2010 Aston Martin DBS: The DBS is more than the hot-rod version of the DB9; it's also James Bond's recent ride of choice. For 2010 it gets one big change; it's now available as the DBS Volante (convertible in Aston-speak). And it's the top of the Aston drop-top food chain for 2010.
The Volante's power comes from the same 510-horsepower 6.0-liter V12 that powers the DBS coupe but the Volante's price, at over $286,000, is more than $10,000 above the coupe's MSRP.
2010 Aston Martin One-77: Only 77 of this ultimate Aston will be built. The $1.7 million front-engine coupe is powered by a dry-sump 7.3-liter V12 and features aluminum bodywork, a carbon-fiber chassis, pushrod-actuated shocks front and rear and massive 20-inch wheels and tires.
Only a few are expected to make it to the United States.
2010 Aston Martin Rapide: When the Porsche Panamera Turbo is just too main-street there's the new $250,000 Aston Martin Rapide, which will go on sale early next year.
Aston calls its first production sedan the most elegant four-door sports car in the world. Power comes from a 470-hp 6.0-liter V12 backed by a six-speed automatic transmission that can be shifted manually via steering-column-mounted magnesium paddles. All Rapides will be rear-wheel drive and Aston says the car can sprint from zero to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds.
The Rapide's aluminum, magnesium alloy and composite body covers an aluminum chassis and the same four-wheel independent suspension used in the DB9. It all rolls on 20-inch wheels and tires.
Inside there are four bucket seats, acres of leather and enough wood for several BMWs.
2010 Aston Martin V8 Vantage: There are no changes.
2010 Aston Martin V12 Vantage: This is a new model. Aston basically took the 6.0-liter V12 engine from the DBS and shoved it in a V8 Vantage. The result is what Aston calls the fastest and most agile Vantage ever.
And that's pretty fast. With 510 hp and 420 pound-feet of torque, Aston says the V12 Vantage has a top speed of 190 mph and accelerates from zero to 62 mph in just 4.2 seconds.