Aston Martin V12 Zagato at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show

• Competes with: Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano, Lamborghini Aventador
• Looks like: A fitting replacement for the One-77
• Drivetrain: 6.0-liter V-12 with six-speed manual; rear-wheel drive
• Hits dealerships: Fall 2012

Aston Martin revealed the first images of the V12 Zagato, the high-performance replacement for its flagship One-77.

The Zagato is based off the V12 Vantage but features a new lightweight body and other track enhancements. The supercar will have a limited run of 150 units and will be mostly handmade from aluminum and carbon fiber. The body is much more voluptuous than other Aston Martins, featuring prominent front and rear fenders, haunches in the roofline above the cabin, and pronounced vents before the doors. A large rear wing and radial taillights complete the unique look out back.

In the cabin, there are seven Bridge of Weir leather upholsteries to choose from; satin carbon fiber and piano-black accents also adorn the dash.

The production model is ready for orders now. If you want one it’ll cost more than $500,000, making it one of the most expensive Astons available after this year’s discontinuation of the One-77 model with a price of more than $1 million.

2012 Aston Martin Virage Video

Recently revived, the Aston Martin Virage is what the British carmaker calls a “2+2” convertible and coupe that slots between the DB9 and DBS. Relatively speaking, you get a lot for the Virage’s $200,000 price tag, says Cars.com senior editor Joe Wiesenfelder. But calling it a 2+2 is a bit of a misnomer as Wiesenfelder demonstrates in the video.

2012 Aston Martin Virage at 2011 Geneva Motor Show

• Competes with: Ferrari 458 Italia, Lamborghini Gallardo, Bentley Continental Supersports 
• Looks like: Every other Aston Martin 
• Drivetrain: 490-hp, 6.0-liter V-12 with six-speed automatic transmission; rear-wheel drive 
• Hits dealerships: May 2011 

The Virage is a new V-12-powered sports car that's offered in coupe and convertible body styles. Pricing information hasn't been announced, but the Virage is designed to slot between the nearly $200,000 DB9 and almost $300,000 DBS in the automaker's lineup. It arrives at U.S. dealerships in May.

Even though it's a new model in the Aston Martin range, only ardent followers of the brand will likely be able to tell at a glance because the car looks remarkably similar to Aston Martin's other sports cars. It's a gracefully styled car, no question, but the automaker's designs are clearly meant to create a connection with the brand as opposed to individual models.

Like the DB9 and DBS, the Virage is powered by a 6.0-liter V-12 engine, but its 490-horsepower output splits the difference between the 470-hp DB9 and 510-hp DBS. Unlike the DBs, which are available with either a manual or automatic transmission, the Virage is only offered with an automatic. With this setup, the Virage can accelerate from zero to 62 mph in 4.6 seconds on its way to a top speed of 186 mph, according to Aston Martin. The car features an adaptive suspension and carbon ceramic brake discs.

Seven hand-stitched Bridge of Weir leather hides are used to upholster the cabin, which comes with standard heated seats, a navigation system, cruise control, and Bluetooth and iPod connectivity.

Recall Alert: 2007-08 Aston Martin DB9, DBS, V8 Vantage

Aston Martin is recalling 1,090 2007-08 Aston Martin DB9, DBS and V8 Vantage over a potentially dangerous steering defect, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Some front bottom suspension arm cam bolts received an incorrect amount of heat treatment during production. The hardness of the bolt on the affected models is above specification and could crack along its shank, allowing the lower control arm to move. The lower control arm influences steering feel and control. If the cam bolt cracks, it could increase of the risk of a crash.

On the affected vehicles, dealers will replace the front suspension lower control arm cam bolts free of charge. The recall is expected to begin before Oct. 18. For additional information, owners can call Aston Martin at 888-923-9988 or NHTSA's hot line at 888-327-4236.

2010|Aston Martin|DB9

2010|Aston Martin|DBS

2010|Aston Martin|V8 Vantage

Reader Review of the Week: 2010 Aston Martin V8 Vantage

There isn’t much left to the imagination regarding what “Aston Martin Man,” from Greenwich, Conn., drives. This fortunate reader has had the pleasure of owning three Aston Martins, a couple of Mercedes and Porsches, and even a Ferrari to boot. Despite his “awesome” experiences with the German and Italian makes, Aston Martin Man went with the British carmaker for his last three cars. His latest lease of the 2010 Aston Martin V8 Vantage comes after owning a 2007 V8 Vantage. Continue reading to find out whether the up-to-date Vantage is up to Aston Martin Man’s standards. Then write your own vehicle review here. 

2010 Aston Martin Rapide Video

Cars.com editor Joe Wiesenfelder is a bit skeptical about four-door luxury sports cars, but where others fail, the 2010 Aston Martin Rapide pulls off the strange combination relatively well, he says. Check out this video to find out how the Rapide can manage to satisfy ultra-luxury brand shoppers but also keep the kids happy in the backseat. That is, if anyone with children will allow them in the Rapide.

Figure Skater Goes Bond in Aston Martin DBS

After winning gold at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, figure skater Evan Lysacek plans to reward himself by buying an Aston Martin DBS, which starts at $269,000.

Lysacek, who took the gold medal by unseating former Russian champ Evgeni Plushenko, is now earning the James Bond comparisons he seems to so easily court: The DBS is the vehicle 007 has driven in the last two Bond films.

“Aston Martin all the way, baby,” Lysacek told Yahoo. “Got to be the DBS. Just like Bond.”

He first considered switching from a Range Rover to a Bentley coupe before likely deciding that you can’t beat a guy named Plushenko and not go the Bond route. If you’re wondering how an “amateur” athlete can afford to consider a Bentley versus an Aston Martin, look no further than Lysacek’s endorsements, which include Coca-Cola, AT&T and Ralph Lauren.

Only One Car for Golden Boy Evan Lysacek: Aston Martin (Yahoo!)

2010 Aston Martin Rapide: First Look

Aston Martin, the British builder of exclusive coupes and convertibles, is the latest sports-car maker to try its hand at a four-door car. Aston's entry is called the Rapide, and it's slated to hit U.S. dealerships in May 2010 with a starting price around $200,000. I recently had the opportunity to check out the only Rapide currently in existence, and it's clear the graceful style that's come to define Aston Martin sports cars has been successfully translated to this car.
 
Some people might wonder why Aston Martin needs a four-door car. One of the goals with it is to enhance the brand's year-round appeal, according to Beth Paretta, an operations manager for Aston Martin North America. It's a “car that [customers will] use more than as just a Sunday-driver," she said.
 
One car that instantly comes to mind when considering the Rapide is Porsche's new Panamera four-door hatchback, but I like the Aston's styling much better. Whereas the Panamera tries to pull off a stretched-911 look, the Rapide retains the low-slung design and sleek lines of the automaker's sports cars. Even though it looks like a sedan in profile — albeit a sporty one — the Rapide is actually a hatchback like the Panamera; its rear decklid and rear window open as a unit.

2010 Aston Martin DBS Volante: Through Ian's Lens

The first name most people associate with Aston Martin is that of a famous secret agent who drives these cars in hard-to-reach locations. What the public always forgets is this man inevitably destroys the Aston Martins only after voiding the warrantees by mounting aftermarket rocket launchers, oil slicks, ejection seats and machine guns to the prestigious British automobile. If you ask me, Aston Martin could save some PR money by spreading car parts across the countryside somewhere and placing a sign that reads, "James was here."

Do you know what else equals cheap publicity? Allowing a 31-year-old automotive photographer to snap some pictures of a 2010 Aston Martin DBS Volante in the rain. As a stickler for pristine weather conditions when photographing cars, I politely declined. Yeah, right.

The 2010 Aston Martin DBS Volante is one of the more aesthetically pleasing exotic cars on the market today. Instead of the Lamborghini creased-angled-wedge look (which is as boring as Porsche’s designs), Aston Martin keeps the DBS sleek and wide with rounded features in the four corners accentuated by its headlights and taillights. The DBS keeps it classy by adding highlights of carbon fiber on the chin spoiler, rear bumper and in various places along the interior. Luxurious leather, metal trims and refined plastic finish off the comfortable cabin. From the front, the hood vents are one of the prettiest components of the DBS’ 6.0-liter V-12 engine. The car’s overall design is tied together nicely by the sleek hips of each wheel well and fender. From the profile, this car wants to cruise at high speeds.

As the photos prove, the autumn rain did not stop me from snapping away with my camera. It just quickened my pace! Check out the full-screen player after the jump.

Cars.com Podcast: Sports Car Edition

It seems iTunes ate our latest podcast, which is why we couldn’t bring it to you earlier. Sure, we could have just posted it via the player below, but we held out hope that it’d also be available in iTunes — just a few days later than usual. We apologize for the iTunes’ mishap.

In this week’s long-awaited podcast, the editors of Cars.com discuss the new Nissan 370Z roadster and Nismo edition as well as the thoroughly awesome Aston Martin DBS Volante, the most expensive car to ever be left unattended in our hands.

Cars.com Podcast #30