The plant at Newport Pagnell is a throwback to the days of gaslight and royalty and the nearly-forgotten art of coach making. And 100 years ago, they did build carriages in the courtyard of this Victorian-era complex. Aston is a delicious anachronism, recalling an age when craftsmanship, not productivity, was the hallmark of luxury. But these days, Aston's owner, Ford Motor Co., is struggling to make the automaker a very modern brand. And it will attempt to get that message across in a big way in the months to come. Perhaps the most significant story for Aston this year is that it is being reunited with that ultimate British secret agent, Bond, James Bond. He'll be driving an Aston in the twentieth 007 flick, reuniting supercar and super-spy. Beyond that, Aston takes a breather for 2003, with only the most modest of updates to its two-car product line.
2003 Aston Martin DB7 Volante |
DB7 The durable DB7 undergoes some very modest cosmetic changes to the front fenders but, alas, the biggest change will cut to the heart of traditionalists. Gone is the buttery-soft Connolly leather Aston has long been known for. No, you won't have to settle for cloth. It's just that Connolly has gone broke and a new leather supplier is taking its place. The 420-horsepower DB7 is offered in two body stules: the Volante convertible and Vantage Coupe. Both are powered by a 420-horsepower V-12 mated to either an automatic or a 6-speed manual. The latter is configured with Formula One-style paddle shifters.
2002 Aston Martin Vanquish |
VANQUISH The newest member of the Aston Martin line-up delivers a hefty 460-hp out of its big V-12. James Bond's car of choice, the Vanquish offers only the electro-mechanical transmission with its F1-style paddle shifters. For those who measure power in wattage, the Vanquish gets a new sound system for 2003, the first mobile sound package ever designed by Linn, considered one of the best and most exclusive of audio manufacturers.
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