Elite LMV/R based on 2010 Aston Martin Vantage

Elite a well known tuner from U.S has come up with a Bond car (as in James Bond in a LeMans racer) inspired by the Ferrari Scuderia and Ferrari Stradale as well as the Lamborghini Superleggera. They call it the 2010 Aston Martin LMV/R (Le Mans Vantage Racer).

Elite claims the car will be lighter than the production model through extensive use of carbon fiber parts. And one has to assume that performance is, at least, marginally improved by way of the weight reduction as well the aerodynamic/body kit, a sport exhaust system and lowering springs. A big brake kit hints at increased performance too but Elite does not provide any info on that front.

Also included in the package is a an Alcantara interior along with carbon fiber paneling in the cabin and 20-inch wheels to fit the wide body kit. But this package really seems to be about that carbon fiber body paneling which, along with the usual skirts, wings and rear diffuser, also comes with rear quarter panel extensions that are 2-inches (5 cm) wider.



Only 30 of these Aston Martin LMV/R's will be made. They will be distributed through Aston Martin dealers in the United States. The price is a tad...no, it's an outright million miles beyond reasonable at 173,000 U.S. dollars, not including the original Aston Martin Vantage. But it does include transport to Elite for the installation job and back to the dealer purchase point where one buys the car.

Aston Martin offers power upgrades to last-gen V8 Vantages

Aston Martin will provide performance upgrade package for the 2005 - 2008 Aston Martin V8 Vantage owner. This upgrade package will benefits from an extra 0.4-liters of displacement (up from 4.3- to 4.7-liters) and gains an extra 40 hp and 45 lb-ft of torque, along with some revised suspension tuning. The kit includes a new induction system originally developed for the DBS that features a pair of toggling airbox valves that open at 5,500 rpm to bring more air into the engine. With the help of a revised ECU that optimizes ignition timing and recognizes higher octane fuels, output increases to 400 hp (20 extra ponies) and torque grows to 307 lb-ft.

Besides that, the package includes forged aluminum five-spoke wheels, upgraded springs and Bilstein dampers. However, Aston Martin has not announce the retail price for the upgrade package.

Hamann Aston Martin V8 Vantage

Recently, the Hamann has came out a new bodykit package for the Aston Martin V8 Vantage. That aside, the kit from Hamann is one of the most comprehensive we've seen, implementing an array of aerodynamic, handing and engine mods to take the baby Aston to the next level. For the bodykit, Hamann festooned the Vantage with a new lower front fascia with two-piece spoilers, added a pair of sideskirts, a three-piece rear diffuser and a small, if not entirely stealthy, rear spoiler. For all these aerokits, customers can choose either fiber or fiberglass, along with a roof scoop allowing you to channel your LeMans ambitions in poseurific style.

The engine benefits from a retuned ECU that can boost power of the outgoing Aston's 4.3-liter V8 to 358 hp (23 hp more than stock) or the 2009 model's 4.7-liter V8 to 426 hp (30 hp more than stock). A stainless steel exhaust is supposedly good for another 20 hp, but it's unclear whether the same gains can be attained without tweaking the Vantage's computer. A set of Hamann's three-piece 21-inch wheels and new springs that drop the Vantage by 30 mm up front and 20 mm in the rear. Besides the exterior, the interior receives a new aluminum pedal set, bespoke floor mats and optional custom leather trim.