Reading this bit of news just made me feel sad. I have always dreamed of driving me one of these but my middle class income means that it would take me all my life and a miserly lifestyle to be able to afford the $265000 price tag on the Aston Martin DBS. Now, we might have to expect more price bumps as the company heads for a more upscale market.

Aston’s got new cars to hit the markets. The high-performance four-door Rapide will be on sale shortly. It’s beastly limited edition One-77 has sold out even before production. And they’re also out to relaunch the swanky luxury Lagonda badge.

Aside from these upcoming cars, Aston is also lining up replacements for the DB9 and the V8 Vantage into the pipeline just in time for their launches in 2011. As far as pricing is concerned, it is possible that the Vantage will be bumped to the current price range of the DB9 and the DB9 hiked up to the DBS’ price range.

Source: AutoWeek

Aston Martins are the epitome of exquisite design and impressive performance. They might not pack as much punch as Ferraris or as flamboyantly designed as Lambos but drive one and you’d be the envy of all the Ordinary Joes out there.

One of the best things about these cars is that they very much have their own personality. Consider them a lucky band of brothers with each looking just as good as the other. Their genes give them pretty much the same attributes but they are, deep inside, unique in ways.

So if you’re an Aston, what are you? Take this quiz (after the cut) to find out.

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If it’s just for the head-turning looks, Aston Martins are always too hard to ignore. We’ve all waited for the new Aston Martin DBS (ever since Casino Royale made us want it so bad) to be showcased in one of the grandest stages of European motoring and it finally did in Frankfurt.

But that’s not just what Aston Martin had in store because with the DBS came the new special edition V8 Vantage N400 (pictured) and the DB9 LM. The latter two, being testaments to the Aston’s successes in Nurburging and Le Mans, respectively.

On one hand, we have the new Vantage N400 now sports a V8 engine that brings an additional 20bhp to the old one’s 380 bringing the total usable horses to 400. It also features a new Sports Pack that brings a modified suspension and lightweight allows to the picture making the Vantage’s ride a lot more edgier than the last one. On the other, we have the DB9 LM which commemorates the Aston’s GT1 class win with the DBR9 at Le Mans. It features red brake calipers, a redesigned mesh grill and a Sports Pack.

Still, the big kahuna for Aston this time is the DBS which finally makes its European debut. It’s a dashingly handsome and very sexy set of wheels. Very Bond. And it’s no pussy either with its powerful 6.0L V12 engine under its bonnet that dishes out 510bhp that can propel the DBS to 191 mph and get to 100kph in just 4.3 seconds.

As far as the prizes go, the DBS is tagged at £160,000, the N400 starts at £92,000 and the DB9 LM costs £124,000. Got cash, will buy.

Aston will still be showcasing the Bond car – the Aston Martin DBS – but it’s not the only car with the Aston badge that we’ll be seeing in the IAA Frankfurt Motor Show. Word has it that Aston Martin will also be featuring a couple of other cars under the lights.

The added attractions? Road versions of the DB9 and the Vantage with a smaller V8 under the bonnet. Now, as production cars that will be hitting the market, they seem to be targeted to take on the Porsche 911 GT3 and the Ferrari F430 Scuderia. How the market would play out? Well we’ll know in time, wouldn’t we.

Source: Auto Express