First Impression: Aston Martin DB AR1

Zagato is a design consultancy and engineering services company that has worked with Fiat, Ferrari, Maserati, Lancia, Alfa Romeo, and Aston Martin. Aston Martin worked with Zagato on the Aston Martin DB7 Zagato, in which 99 were produced from 2002 to 2003. At that time, Aston Martin was producing the DB7 Vantage Volante. Aston Martin and Zagato collaborated on creating a limited edition car based on the DB7 Vantage Volante. In 2003, Aston Martin and Zagato created the Aston Martin DB AR1. 99 DB AR1s were created between 2003 and 2004.

I saw the DB AR1 at the 2010 Houston Classy Chassis. Its a beautiful car, but it does not stand out when a Ferrari California, Ferrari Daytona, Duesenberg, and a Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione are present. Compared to the DB7 Vantage Volante, the DB AR1 has a bigger grill and sleeker lines.

The DB AR1 is powered by a 6.0L V12 engine, paired with six-speed manual transmission, that produces 435 hp and 410 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds and reaches a top speed of 185 mph. It cost $226,000 when it was new. It is beautiful, fast, quick, and very exclusive. The DB7 Vantage Volante has a top speed of 165 mph and cost $146,000 when it was new. Compared to the DB7 Vantage Volante, the price for the DB AR1 is fair.

The DB AR1 has been featured in Veronica Mars, The O.C., Without A Trace, Oz & James Big Wine Adventure, Las Vegas, and Ocean's Twelve.

Final Thoughts: This is a very exclusive car. It is beautiful, quick, fast, but the price was fair when it was new. Only 99 were sold to the public, and all were sold out before the car was released. I have only seen it at a Concours d'Elegance event. It would be risky to drive something so exclusive on the roads. It is good for weekend driving and car shows.

CarJunkie

Photo taken from a camera phone

Check out more car articles at http://carjunkie713.blogspot.com, http://www.lordkat.com, or at http://thatguywiththeglasses.com/blogs/myblogs/blogger/listings/first-impression.

If you see any CarJunkie articles on another website, it has been STOLEN!