Posts tagged aston martin
UPDATE: New Morrie’s Luxury Autos building progress
Jul 16th
With the new Morrie’s Luxury Auto location opening in just 11 short days (July 27th), we’re excited to share some photos of the progress being made!
New signage is up for Maserati and hopefully Bentley and Aston Martin logos will grace the building soon as well.
We can’t wait for customers to start using our new service drive.
The show floor is coming along nicely as well. Being two stories tall, the new Morrie’s Luxury Autos facility features one of the largest elevators in the midwest.
This is part of the Maserati lounge area where customers can find various Maserati accessories.
And this is the Bentley side of the show floor. The various displays are used to immerse customers in luxury, showcase vehicles, and allow customers to configure their own Bentley while looking at every available color, leather, wood, and stitching sample.
We hope to see you in our new store soon!
Artful Living Magazine’s Kentucky Derby Party presented Morrie’s Luxury Auto
Apr 9th
Join Artful Living Magazine for their first annual Kentucky Derby Party, presented by Morrie’s Luxury Auto. Sip on traditional cocktails, savor Southern fare, and enjoy great company while watching the live races. We’ll be there with a selection of Aston Martins, Bentleys, and Maseratis available for test drives. For tickets click here.
http://www.eventbrite.com/o/artful-living-magazine-8038693698
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 Vulcan Revealed
Feb 25th
Aston Martin has announced that it will be bringing its extensive racing heritage to Gentlemen Racers by way of the Vulcan. The Aston Martin Vulcan project was born to give the customer an experience of performance driving like no other. Ownership allows participation in many performance driving events worldwide, unlike programs from competing performance brands. And Aston Martin will work with owners to ensure they can take the Vulcan to the tracks they want to drive and that it will meet the various sound requirements. Once you have committed to ownership, Aston Martin invites you to Gaydon for a unique commissioning experience to select the colors and finish for the car. Additionally, they take measurements for seating, steering wheel grips and custom racing suit and helmet.
Prior to taking delivery, Aston Martin will offer intensive track training for each customer via their Fast Track Training program. Experienced professional racers will offer a chance to refine driving skills and technique through practical and theoretical training events using Aston Martin’s already extensive stable of performance cars like the V12 Vantage S, One-77 and the Vantage GT4 race car to further build the customer experience.
If you haven’t been impressed so far, lets cover the car itself: The Vulcan boasts some amazing features like carbon fiber removable panels surrounding a rigid carbon fiber tub. Power comes from a 7 liter V12 engine producing 800 plus horsepower which is set back behind the front axle line to ensure an excellent weight balance. All of this power is channeled to a six speed sequential gearbox mounted in the rear of the car by way of a magnesium torque tube housing a carbon fiber drive shaft. To tame all this power, the brakes are carbon ceramic racing discs with 6 piston front and 4 piston rear controlled by a driver adjustable Bosch anti-lock braking system. Push rod suspension is mounted to all four corners with 4 way adjustable DSSV dampers.
Safety is also very important to Aston Martin, so they have worked very hard to design the Vulcan with FIA race requirements. This will include Frontal Head Restraint, 6 point racing harness, roll cage, fuel cell and fire extinguisher. All of these safety features allow the Vulcan to run one-make races or other open races.
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.
Escaping the wintry weather at the 12 Hours of Sebring
Mar 17th
2014 marked the 62nd running of the 12 Hours of Sebring, arguably the most grueling automotive endurance race on the planet. The race was the second round of the newly formed Tudor United Sportscar Championship, an amalgamation of the now defunct American Le Mans and the Grand Am endurance series’. The newly formed group brought together two groups in the interest of a unified series with increases competition. In doing so, much was required to make the different classes of cars on par with one another. The task was much easier said than done, but it appears that after round two things are lining up nicely. Unfortunately, other elements of the merger still need some work.
Race day was marked with sunny skies and temperatures in the mid-eighties. Not only was the weather great for racing, it was also a nice change for a winter-weary Minnesotan such as myself. If you’ve never been to Sebring, the first thing you’ll quickly learn that it is expansive, covered in sand, devoid of any elevation and packed with people. If you’re used to the wonderful amenities and facilities at a track like Road America, you’ll be largely disappointed with Sebring. The one thing the track does have is history. Originally an Air Force base, much of the course is made up of decades old concrete runways that really provide a beating for the cars. For this very reason, many teams see the race as the perfect training ground for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The saying goes, if you can handle 12 Hours at Sebring you will have no problem racing 24 hours at Le Mans.
Since the race falls right in the middle of spring break season, you’ll find two distinct groups of attendees. The first are octane-loving race fans decked out in their favorite teams colors and focused intently on the race. The second group consists of folks there for the party and seemingly unaware that a race is even underway. The latter group assembles compounds using some very ingenious engineering methods all in the interest of having a good time day or night. Many adorn crazy attire such as chicken suits, drive around in the tallest pickup trucks you’ve ever seen and play music that makes the un-muffled cars on the track seem quiet.
As already noted, it’s generally a healthy hike from corner to corner. It seems that every time we decided to move corners we’d arrive at the new corner to find an extensive full course caution period. The race was marked by over five hours of full course cautions. While there was a fair amount of carnage, the cautions periods were often over-embellished, lasting a good 30-minutes past when incidents were cleared. Many attribute this to the new ownerships desire to bunch up the cars and create “exciting” racing. As a longtime race fan, I can tell you these unnecessary cautions only throw off the rhythm of the race and frustrate teams and fans alike.
In the end, though, the race did make for some exciting racing across all four classes. Chip Ganassi racing won the top prototype class with their Ford Ecoboost Powered Riley Daytona Prototype. Core Autosport won the Prototype challenge series with their Chevy powered Oreca FLM09. The Porsche factory team took top honors in the production based GTLM category with their 911 GT3 RSR. Magnus Racing in their Porsche 911 GT America won the final class, GTD. Despite the caution period fiascos, the race was still marked with a lot of close racing and results that came down to the wire.
Spring is Here
Apr 13th
You know it’s Spring when the shop is full of cool cars coming out of storage, and getting prepped for warm weather driving… More >