Events
Aston Martin Racing unveils ambitious 2015 WEC Race Programme
Mar 20th
Aston Martin has set out to take on the FIA World Endurance Championship for the 2015 season. This includes the expansion of the team to a fleet of now 5 cars hitting the field, three of which will run in the GTE-Pro class and two in the GTE-Am class. With an astonishing tally of 19 race wins and three total championship titles, Aston Martin Racing looks to go for the coveted GT Manufacturer’s title as well as gaining the GT title during the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The field of Aston’s running will be derived from the road going Vantage and will feature different liveries including three of the classic blue and orange Gulf colors. The other two vehicles will feature the most recent partnerships with Hanergy and Valero with a different style of livery. The 2015 season kicks off with The Prologue, the official WEC test session at Circuit Paul Richard next weekend followed by the opening championship round, the Six Hours of Silverstone on the 12th of April.
Make sure to stay in tune with our twitter feed for up-to-date highlights and in race coverage from tomorrows 12 hours of Sebring at https://twitter.com/MLuxAuto
Driver line-ups: World Endurance Championship and 24 Hours of Le Mans
- 95: Marco Sorensen, Christoffer Nygaard, Nicki Thiim
- 96: Francesco Castellaccia, Roald Goethe, Stuart Hall
- 97: Darren Turner, Stefan Mucke, Rob Bell (Six Hours of Spa and Le Mans)
- 98: Paul Dalla Lana, Pedro Lamy, Mathais Lauda
- 99: Alex MacDowall, Fernando Rees, Richie Stanawa
Aston Martin Unveils DBX Concept Coupe
Mar 3rd
Aston Martin has certainly been busy making headlines in recent weeks with the unveiling of new models such as the Vantage GT3 and the ultra-exclusive Vulcan, but apparently they had one more trick up their sleeve. Meet the first of its kind, all-electric, all-wheel-drive, Aston Martin DBX Concept Coupe. Making its debut at the 85th Annual Geneva International Motor Show yesterday, this is certainly a departure from what we typically associate with Aston Martin. Powered by electric, in-wheel motors, the DBX features drive-by-wire electric steering, carbon ceramic brakes, a KERS energy recovery system, and cameras where one would typically find actual mirrors.
In terms of design, there’s no doubt this is the brain-child of the engineers at Aston Martin. Featuring the signature wide-mouth grille, sleek, yet aggressive, body lines, and taillights similar to those found on Aston’s current line-up of luxury grand tourers one could argue that this is ready to join the current line-up as-is. Though we’d love to see this concept hit the road in all of its raw, concept glory, Aston Martin CEO, Andy Palmer, made it clear that this vehicle is far from production ready: “This is, clearly, not a production-ready sports GT car, but it is a piece of fresh, bold thinking about what Aston Martin GT customers around the world could request of us in the future.”
We’ll be keeping a close eye on the evolution of this beauty and we can only hope to see something street-ready in the near future. For all of the details surrounding the DBX’s debut, read the full press release below.
OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE:
ASTON MARTIN DBX CONCEPT CHALLENGES CONVENTION
3 March 2015, Gaydon: Aston Martin today challenges the nature of luxury GT travel in the 21st Century with the debut at the 85th Geneva International Motor Show of the innovative DBX Concept.
Created to defy conventional thinking about the luxury GT segment, the DBX Concept widens the appeal of the iconic British luxury brand and reaches out to a more diverse global audience than ever before.
Unveiling the concept, Aston Martin CEO Dr Andy Palmer said: “The DBX Concept is a challenge to the existing status quo in the high luxury GT segment. It envisages a world, perhaps a world not too far away, when luxury GT travel is not only stylish and luxurious but also more practical, more family-friendly and more environmentally responsible.
“I asked my team at Aston Martin to expand their thinking beyond conventions, to explore what the future of luxury GT motoring would look like in years ahead, and the DBX Concept you see before you is the result.”
Dr Palmer added: “This is, clearly, not a production-ready sports GT car, but it is a piece of fresh, bold thinking about what Aston Martin GT customers around the world could request of us in the future.
“The DBX Concept is more than a thought starter for us and for our customers, though. We will, in due course, be entering a car into the new DBX space and I am very much looking forward to seeing how this concept is received not only here today, but also by our legion of existing loyal customers and by those potential customers around the world who have, to this point, yet to consider one of our cars.”
Harmonious design
Imagined by Chief Creative Officer Marek Reichman and his team at the brand’s global headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire, the all-electric DBX Concept showcases not only cutting edge engineering but also a major evolution of the British brand’s world-renowned and highly-regarded design language.
Clearly signalling an extension to the brand’s existing model lines in the future, the all-wheel drive DBX Concept seamlessly combines traditional Aston Martin beauty with elegant new engineering that gracefully aligns form and function.
Capable of accommodating four adults in comfort, the DBX Concept also majors on day-to-day practicality. It offers generous luggage capacity by virtue of the fact that its rear trunk and forward load bay can both accept passengers’ belongings.
Opulence and cutting edge style go hand-in-hand in the DBX Concept thanks to a unique fusion of high luxury and advanced technology. These characteristics, allied to the ingenious use of unconventional materials and finishes inside and out, are calculated to further broaden the appeal of Aston Martin.
The concept’s exterior bright work emphasises the brand’s approach to the use of authentic materials, and is made up of machined billet aluminium with visible milling lines in a piece of exquisite craftsmanship intended to be seen as the car’s jewellery. The DBX Concept’s unique paint finish – Black Pearl Chromium – has been specially created to mimic the look of a genuine black pearl, and comprises a micro-fine layer of chrome to deliver a level of reflectivity that cannot be obtained through normal paint finishes.
Inside, the deliberate use of non-automotive standard materials generates a uniquely soft, cocooning ambience. The extensive application of velvet-like Nubuck leather contrasts with the concept’s hard, hi-tech equipment. The exposed leather reveals a sandwiched accent layer, more akin to high-end furniture, while the car’s interior bright ware matches that of the exterior with the addition of a gold ‘pin striping’ element on the edging.
Marek Reichman explained: “The exceptional craftsmanship, with detailing more typically seen on luxury consumer goods or fine jewellery, gives the DBX Concept genuinely global appeal.”
Experimental engineering
Embracing the very latest engineering techniques and theories, the DBX Concept needs no engine compartment thanks to its use of electric, inboard-of-wheel, motors powered by lithium sulphur cells.
Drive-by-wire electric steering, toughened glass with an auto-dimming ‘smart glass’ inter-layer, and bespoke driver and passenger head-up displays are further examples of its cutting edge technology.
Active LED exterior lights, carbon ceramic brakes with a kinetic energy recovery system (KERS) and rear view cameras in place of conventional mirrors also underline the mould-breaking nature of this luxury GT concept.
Dr Palmer explained: “A concept car such as this should, in my view, challenge conventional thinking and explore the art of the possible. In the DBX Concept, I believe we have created a new type of luxury car that can not only broaden the appeal of Aston Martin to a whole new generation of customers, but sit with pride alongside the rest of our range.”
Aston Martin is building a street legal version of the Vantage GT3 race car
Jan 7th
As you might’ve heard, Morrie’s Luxury Auto just announced that Aston Martin will be coming to Minnesota soon. While the showroom will be stocked with plenty of beautiful and fast grand touring cars ranging from the V8 Vantage up to the Vanquish, we just discovered via Jalopnik that Aston Martin is cooking up a more potent street car that shares more DNA with their racing efforts than any other car they offer today.
Rumor has it that Aston Martin has the Porsche GT3 RS squarely in their sights, and as such, will be differentiated from the swoopy, sensual V8 and V12 Vantages by offering a big rear wing and wider bodywork aimed at providing some extra downforce. Meanwhile, a pumped-up V12 from the V12 Vantage S will likely provide over 600 HP of grunt to power it around the track.
Think of it as one heck of a final send off for the Vantage lineup before it gets redesigned in the next few years.
New in 2015 – Hint #3
Jan 2nd
Morrie’s Luxury Auto at the 2014 LA Auto Show
Dec 2nd
The Los Angeles Auto Show during the media press days is an extremely overwhelming, congested and an all out nightmare to navigate. That being said press days are some of the best times you can have at an auto show with all the new releases, food and media crews running every which way. With the vast amounts of luxury exotic vehicles, new models and some of the highest quality concept vehicles in the world it is certainly something to experience. More >
Bentley Teases New SUV Model
Nov 11th
The upcoming Bentley SUV, yet to be named, is going to be a ‘true Bentley’ in that it will be powerful, exclusive, and successful. Following the close of the 2012 Geneva Auto Show, where the EXP 9F concept SUV was initially unveiled, over 2000 inquiries regarding preordering Bentley’s SUV took place. More >
A Night on the Runway
Oct 7th
Morrie’s Luxury Auto has the pleasure of being the presenting sponsor of this weekends Rumble on the Runway event. Fashion experts from across the Twin Cities came together for a night full of red carpet fashion, awards and a great time. Morrie’s Luxury Auto was there to capture the entire night!
Check out our photo gallery below from the glamorous event!
Hawk at Road America Race Car Concours Race and Parade
Jul 24th
If you’ve never been to the Hawk vintage races at Road America, you’re missing out on one of the coolest vintage car weekends in the country. Above and beyond all of the incredible race cars that take to the track during the four day event, one of the most memorable parts is the race car parade on Friday night.
Each year over 100 cars travel from the track to the quaint village of Elkhart Lake via a police escort. Seeing many of these cars on the track is a sight to see, but seeing them driving on public roads is something entirely different. Everything from open wheel cars to Le Mans prototypes to pre-war racers make the trip, often with grinning passengers tagging along. Locals and race fans reserve their spots hours in advance of the parade, akin to black friday bargain shoppers at Best Buy. Except the crowd is bigger, numbering in the neighborhood of 10,000, with many encouraging the parade cars to rev their engines, spin their tires and let it rip.
The spectator perspective is unlike any other car event you’ve seen and the view from the drivers seat is equally as exciting, but don’t take our word for it. Spend some time to watch our view from the driver’s seat of a 1971 Porsche 914-6 race car below:
Now continue and watch the spectators perspective that an attendee posted form this year’s parade:
Hawk at Road America – Saturday Update
Jul 19th
Despite wandering around Road America for the past few days, we keep running across new cars that catch our eye. Last night we enjoyed the race car concours where over 100 race cars were escorted from the track to the village of Elkhart Lake. Over 10,000 people showed up for the event and we’ll be bringing you video of the parade in the coming days.
In the meantime, enjoy these pictures we took today at the track and pictures from the street car concours that took to the streets of Elkhart Lake this evening.