Aston Martin Lagonda's £250M super-cars Welsh plant is moving towards take off at St Athan. A multi-million pound three-storey state-of-art paint shop is nearing completion and engineers have started installing assembly lines, fitting out offices and preparing customer areas as well as constructing a dynamic assessment test track including an 'active hill'. The 90 acres site started life as … [Read more...]
Newslines 25 September
Aston Martin is planning to add a third hypercar to its planned range. It announced the 1,000hp £2.3M Valkyrie and £4.0M Valkyrie AMR Pro models but now wants to add another cheaper coupe (right sketch) into the range, which could be under £1.0M.. JLR is reportedly struggling to find UK parts makers willing to supply components to them. Production requires massive investment and the … [Read more...]
Newslines 24 September
Nissan is working with the European Space Agency and created a go-anywhere ground based observatory. It uses a Navara and bespoke trailer to reach the best places off road to look view the night sky with a 16-inch mirror telescope. University of Wales Trinity St Davids is holding an engineering open session 4-7pm on wednesday 26 September in its centre at SA1 Swansea. It is offering a … [Read more...]
Newslines 21 September
Straightliners European and World sand / land speed event in South Wales will see many unique classic and some of the most powerful street legal motorbikes in the UK in action this weekend. Also Zef Eisenberg, Ultra speed rider and founder of sports nutrition brand Maximuscle will be aiming to beat his world sand record of 201.5mph achieved in May on his 350hp supercharged MADMAX motorbike … [Read more...]
Aston Martin Rapide E uses F1 technology input
With development of Aston Martin’s first all-electric production car - the Rapide E - progressing apace, the luxury British marque has today confirmed a raft of technical details for the strictly limited 155-unit special edition. Working closely with Williams Advanced Engineering (WAE) as its development partner, Aston Martin has utilised the hugely successful leader in … [Read more...]
Aston Martin electric supercars confirmed for Wales
Aston Martin Lagonda’s new generation of electric super-cars will be built in Wales, it confirmed today, writes Robin Roberts. News that the new St Athan site will become its centre for electrification confirms an exclusive story which appeared on WheelsWithinWales in March. The Aston Martin Rapide E (sketch above) will be the first Battery Electric Vehicle from the international … [Read more...]
Newslines 31 August
Aston Martin is preparing to sell shares in its business, which includes the new car assembly plant in St Athan, west of Cardiff. After years of sustained losses, Aston Martin is expected to float on the London Stock Exchange in a few weeks and analysts say it could be valued at £5 Billion. Cardiff and Vale College is offering a series of auto-repair and maintenance courses for light and … [Read more...]
“The” Aston Martin DB5 is back – at a cool £3M
James Bond's iconic Aston Martin DB5 is back with a £3M price tag to leave you shaken and stirred. Thanks to a unique collaboration between Aston Martin and EON Productions, the company that produces the James Bond films, a limited edition series of the gadget-packed car will be produced at a cost of £3 Million each. Following the successful DB4 G.T. continuation project, a series of 25 … [Read more...]
Engineering shortage – in Germany
There is a shortage of engineers, in Germany. Volkswagen said a number of its engineers had left in the wake of the ‘dieselgate’ scandal over the last three years and now the new tougher WTP emissions tests meant the company is struggling to develop engines. Last month it announced it had acquired former BMW engine expert Markus Duesmann to head up its team, but it cannot find enough … [Read more...]
Heart-stopping looks and prices
Classic cars can be the most emotive subject and while Britain has an enormous selection amassed over the last 120 years, few will ever reach the dizzy heights of the following compiled by investment house JBR Capital. Ferrari, Bugatti, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Bentley, Duesenburg, Ford, Shelby, McLaren, Jaguar, Alfa Romeo and Aston Martin all feature on the list of the top ten most expensive to … [Read more...]