Tag Archives: Aston Martin

Aston Martin officially unveils track-special Vantage GT3 for its 2024 racing calendar

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Aston Martin chose the present day to reveal three of its new car models designed for three different platforms. Yes, the new generation of the Vantage is here alongside the GT3 version of the road racer and of course, the brand new AMR24 F1 that’ll hit the paddock for the 2024 Formula-1 season.

Our focus however is set on the Vantage GT3 that briefly made its debut in Daytona last month. The official reveal of the race track-oriented car developed in collaboration between Aston Martin Racing (AMR) and Aston Martin Performance Technologies (AMPT) happened today, and it replaces the outgoing Vantage GT3 that debuted in 2018. The latest version comes with an upgraded chassis, improved aerodynamics, and obvious cosmetic changes – making it more appealing.

Designer: Aston Martin

The striking GT3 has a very attractive nose section highlighted by the fender-mounted headlights. It gets even more boxy with the fenders having integrated louvers and a massive wing complemented by the new diffuser. The circuit-oriented car gets the same aluminum chassis as its road-legal counterpart. Every mechanical part is covered by carbon fiber panels, lending the performance vehicle a good balance of power-to-weight ratio.

GT3 also gets the same twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 as the more toned-down Vantage but the unit is tweaked to comply with the FIA GT3 class regulations. Suspension on this one is majorly improved from the last model to give it better handling characteristics. This results in way better driving dynamics of the GT3 for professional and novice drivers as well. Also, the British marque promises the car has more stable braking and wears its tires more evenly.

According to Gustavo Betelli Racing Head of Performance at Aston Martin, the new GT3 is adapt for any “circuit, on any tire, and with any driver.” As we saw during the 24 Hours of Daytona the three Vantage GT3’s seemed like a complete package on the track. The number of cars in this lineup will be produced to a limited number of 30 by the end of season 2024.

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J.Laverack’s Limited-Edition Aston Martin .1R Bicycle Uses the Same Process as an Actual Aston Martin

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What happens when one of the most luxurious automotive brands in the world teams up with one of the most luxurious bicycle brands in the world? That would be the J.Laverick Aston Martin .1R — the direct offspring of a fruitful partnership between the two high-flying British luxury brands, who are jointly calling it the “world’s most bespoke, advanced and meticulously engineered road bicycle”. This design is definitely bespoke, considering that no two Aston Martin .1R bikes will be created the same —and it isn’t exactly clear how many will be constructed in total — seeing as how every purchaser who orders from Aston Martin’s “multi-award-winning” online configurator will receive a personal invitation to get their own unique Aston Martin .1R fitted at Aston Martin’s HQ in Gaydon, UK.

Designer: J.Laverack x Aston Martin

Evidently, Aston Martin’s Gaydon HQ is where a new owner can individually select and install their bells and whistles (literally) after mixing and matching Aston Martin’s signature color schemes — which mirror those of the prestige British auto designer’s most popular luxury vehicles — on the tubes, lugs, forks, stem, seat post, and handlebar drops via the aforementioned configurator. For what it’s worth, yes, you can also choose between saddle and handlebar type. Right now, it’s not clear how much this will all cost, but it makes sense to expect a higher price than most other J.Laverack bicycles, which start at around $5,000.

This advanced titanium road bike design uses a mixture of 3D-printed titanium lugs and sculpted carbon fiber tubes for a lightweight yet sturdy build without any exposed bolts on the outer body. Aston Martin’s designers call this a world first, and I can’t deny it looks like a cross between a bike and a sports car. Though, calling it a “sports bike” would be redundant. That said, Aston Martin’s Executive VP and Chief Creative Officer, Marek Reichman, dug into this idea even further in an official press release, calling the Aston Martin .1R a “titanium hypercar on two wheels.”

Its max speed probably doesn’t equal that of a shiny new Aston Martin supercar, but it’s likely the speediest (and sturdiest) bicycle we’ve ever seen. Several elements of the ($3 million) Aston Martin Valkyrie’s engineering and design process made their way over to the .1R, including the bicycle’s 40-micron badges. The wheels themselves, plus the stem, also use similar processes. According to Aston Martin, “The hypercar’s wheel design can be glimpsed in miniature in the titanium piston caps of the brakes on the bike, while if you inspect the beautifully machined cups on the threaded bottom bracket of the .1R and you will notice parallels with the central wheel nuts on an Aston Martin Valkyrie.”

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Aston Martin Celebrates its 110-year Anniversary With This Bonkers V12 Supercar

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To celebrate its 110th anniversary, the marque is making 110 editions of its new car, the Aston Martin Valour. On the inside, the Valour has a 5.2L twin-turbo V12 engine that produces 705 hp and 555 lb-ft. of torque… on the outside, it’s a retrofuturistic beast that celebrates not the future, but rather the past with a design that rejects the modern and embraces the muscle.

An intimidatingly beautiful automobile, the Valour has the raw, rugged appeal of some of the company’s older cars from the 70s – the V8 Vantage comes to mind. “At Aston Martin, our design is always progressive, but when it comes to celebrating a significant milestone – in this instance our 110th birthday – we allow ourselves a little latitude,” explains Aston’s design director Miles Nurnberger.

Designer: Aston Martin

In a world moving towards automated driving and electric powertrains, the Valour rejects convention by quite literally looking into the rearview mirror. Designed specifically for those who crave an immersive driving experience, Valour’s dedication to delivering unparalleled performance and excitement is unrivaled. As the sole front-engined V12 sports car equipped with a manual transmission, its devotion to purity stands out in the year 2023, paying homage to a thrilling era of driving.

“With its front-engine, sports car silhouette, short overhangs, and planted stance, Valour is intimidatingly beautiful,” says an Aston Martin spokesperson. The Aston Martin Valour’s commanding presence and exhilarating driving dynamics are beautifully showcased through its wide stance and meticulously sculpted body. Crafted entirely from carbon fiber, the exterior design seamlessly blends Aston Martin’s modern aesthetic with iconic elements reminiscent of the legendary 1970s V8 Vantage. The outcome is a striking and instantly recognizable masterpiece, exuding confidence and allure from every perspective.

The strikingly elegant design of Valour is accentuated by its wild and fierce cut-off Kamm-tail, which not only adds to its beauty but also generates substantial rear downforce, ensuring a well-balanced and stable performance.

The backside of the vehicle also showcases a striking arrangement of 6-part tail lights, drawing inspiration from the revolutionary Valkyrie hypercar. These lights consist of six LED light blades on each side, creating a captivating visual effect. Adding to the allure, a sleek strip of aluminum stretches across the entire width of the rear, meticulously crafted from a solid billet and polished to perfection. This elegant accent serves to separate the upper and lower sections, resulting in a truly dramatic aesthetic. Nestled amidst the elements of the rear diffuser lies the centerpiece of Valour’s remarkable rear design: a triple tailpipe exhaust system constructed from lightweight stainless steel.

The Aston Martin Valour is equipped with a remarkable array of features, including stunning 21″ lightweight forged alloy ‘Honeycomb’ wheels. These wheels are paired with the latest AML-specific Michelin Pilot Sport S 5 tires, with 275/35 R21 front tires and 325/30 R21 rear tires. This combination ensures exceptional handling and road grip, whether driving in wet or dry conditions.

Production of the Valour will begin at Aston Martin’s Gaydon Headquarters in the third quarter of 2023, and customers can expect to receive their first deliveries in the fourth quarter of the same year. As one of Aston Martin’s highly sought-after front-engined special series sports cars, the Valour is a valuable collector’s item that’s designed to be driven, rather than be a caged beast sitting in a garage. Aston Martin plans on manufacturing only 110 units of the Valour, and chances are they’ve already sold out, so you can keep those kidneys of yours!

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Ex-Aston Martin engineer designed a sleek ‘packable’ cycling helmet that flips inward to become 50% slimmer

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It’s almost hilarious, but the two leading reasons for people not wearing helmets are the fact that it ruins their hair, and that it’s too bulky to carry or store anywhere. While there isn’t really an immediate solution to the former (apart from going bald), an ex-Aston Martin engineer devised a clever way to solve the latter problem. Meet the Flip-Clip Go, a Red Dot Award-winning ‘packable’ helmet that folds down to occupy 50% of its original volume, making it easier to carry with you when not in use.

The helmet’s patented design features a flippable top that turns its dome-shaped form into a frisbee that’s easier to stash in bags, carry under one’s arms, or place inside the cargo space in scooters. Measuring 81mm in thickness when closed, the Flip-Clip Go’s bulkiness gets reduced by 50%, making it much more convenient than traditional bulky helmets that can be cumbersome to carry around.

The helmet’s highlight is its Flip-Clip™ Technology, which allows it to alter its volume by flipping and folding inwards. This nifty little feature turns the bulbous helmet into an 81mm disc that’s about as bulky as a novel or a dictionary. Cutting the original helmet’s mass by up to 50%, the folded helmet can easily be stashed away, so you don’t need to rely on archaic techniques like locking your helmet to your bike.

The helmet was conceptualized by Josh Cohen, Dom Cotton, and Will Wood, friends and bicycle enthusiasts alike (and co-founders of Newlane). The light bulb moment came when Josh used a hire bike in Central London. Feeling a sense of vulnerability without the helmet, he spoke to Dom, who immediately hopped on board and was soon followed by Will, an ex-engineer at Aston Martin who helped conceive the helmet’s design, its details, and finalize its material choices to create a helmet that was effective, lightweight, sustainable, and yet affordable.

The Flip-Clip Go helmet comes made entirely from recycled plastics, salvaged from oceans and landfills, before being treated, processed, cleaned, and re-molded. It comes with a relatively bare-basics design, featuring an airy construction that relies on honeycomb structures, and is supported by a protective inner layer of expanded polystyrene (EPS). Manufactured in partnership with Cameron-Price in the UK, each helmet helps recycle as many as 20 plastic bottles worth of plastic, and Newlane hopes to be entirely carbon-free by 2030.

The Flip-Clip Go helmet is a winner of the Red Dot Design Concept Award for the year 2021.

Designer: Newlane

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Iconic Eames Lounge Chair gets a timely upgrade by automotive designer Ian Callum

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Legendary Furniture Design meets cutting edge Automotive CMF.

2021 marks 65 years since the Eames Lounge Chair was first debuted by prolific design duo, Ray and Charles Eames. The chair and ottoman, with their bent plywood paneling and plush leather cushioning, look futuristic even by today’s standards and are every bit a design hallmark… however it hasn’t stopped British automotive designer Ian Callum from propelling it further into the future. The Callum Lounge Chair builds on the template of the Eames Lounge Chair, albeit with fresh, automotive-inspired design sensibilities and a carbon-fiber construction!

The chair comes from the studio Callum Designs, which was founded in 2019 after Ian Callum retired from his position as the Director of Design for Jaguar Land Rover. Callum’s 4-decade career also includes work for Ford, TWR, and Aston Martin. Embarking on a new creative journey with his own studio, the iconic British Designer debuted the Callum Lounge Chair – a piece of furniture that has a distinct automotive touch. Callum’s reinterpretation of the timeless mid-century design classic showcases sportscar contouring along with automotive-inspired electric blue cushions. The cushions sit against a wood and carbon fiber frame, giving the car its slick, sporty appeal. The vibrant Pantone palette was a conscious design choice too, straying from the Eames Lounge Chair’s black and brown aesthetic. The chairs are finished by hand in Callum Design’s in-house trim shop in their Warwickshire HQ.

Furniture is an exciting new domain for Ian, who’s spent over 40 years in the automotive world. In an interview with Wallpaper, Callum addressed how his previous experiences with chairs has always come with strings attached, given most of them fit inside cars. He mentions that with the Callum Lounge Chair, “[it] doesn’t have to pass any kind of crash test, which is refreshing”. The Callum Lounge Chair will remain a one-off prototype for now, unless it drums up enough customer interest… although one can expect them to cost a fortune!

Designer: Ian Callum (Callum Designs)

The gorgeous USD Passionata concept feels like ‘modern automotive haute couture’

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Remember the woman in the red dress from the first Matrix film? She appeared in one of Neo’s training sessions, and was captivating enough to distract the ‘chosen one’ for just a split second; enough for Morpheus to whip out a gun and point it at Neo, catching him unawares. The USD Passionata is the car-version of that woman.

Designed by Ugur Sahin, the USD Passionata embodies the classic beauty of the past along with the high precision styling of the present. A spiritual successor to the Ferrari Dino concept designed by Sahin back in 2008, the Passionata sports the classic Ferrari-style rear with the familiar circular taillights. The sides are incredibly retro-inspired too, with the bold use of curves that guide the eye and give the car its feminine quality. For that fatale-effect, however, the car comes with an Aston Martin-inspired front along with a deadly set of steely blue eyes, and finally topped off with a partially transparent hood that reveals the Passionata’s jaw-dropping V12 engine!

Designer: Ugur Sahin Design

What if Bugatti, Bentley, and Tesla designed motorcycles? Here’s a look at 6 concept renders

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A lot of famous car-brands started off as motorcycle manufacturers who then took to the four-wheel market… BMW, Honda, Skoda, even Opel (remember Opel?) started their legacy on two wheels, before expanding to four. But what if more companies ventured into the motorcycle space just the way Dodge did with its wildly beautiful Tomahawk concept in 2003? Or the uber desirable 2014 LOTUS C-01? At Yanko, we don’t shy away from these bizarre questions… no, rather, we encourage them to fuel our fantasies. Here’s a look at 6 conceptual motorcycles from unlikely brands. These two-wheelers, however, don’t just slap logos onto designs and call it a day, they distill their respective brands’ automotive DNA into something that can be ported onto motorcycle-design. Let’s start with this conceptual Bugatti superbike, shown above.

Without question, the Bugatti Chiron is the ultimate record-breaking hypercar. The Chiron remains the fastest production vehicle in the world, and it’s also one of the most expensive cars on sale today. It’s only fitting that the Chiron be the benchmark for the motorcycle concept’s design… but not just any Chiron. No, this superbike pulls inspiration from the $19-million Bugatti La Voiture Noire. The result is ‘La Moto Noire,’ the fastest (and most expensive) superbike ever made. Bugatti’s iconic Horseshoe grille and C-line form parts of the front assembly and forks of the bike, while the wheels, headlights, and exposed carbon-fiber body panels are lifted directly from La Voiture Noire.

Combine the words Luxury, Comfort, and Motorcycle, and your mind is almost instantly drawn to a touring bike… which makes this type of two-wheeler the best choice for the next brand on this list – Bentley. With its design based on the iconic Bentayga SUV, the Bentley touring bike is a luxurious ride with limousine-like proportions. It offers generous seating for two, and the pair of large saddlebags offer enough cargo room for a short, weekend getaway. All the familiar Bentley styling cues are present, including twin round headlights and a massive front grille – the latter hides a large radiator to cool the bike’s massive V-Twin motor.

Yes, it’s true that Aston Martin HAS, in fact, forayed into the two-wheeler world with the slick, futuristic AMB 001… but can you really give it serious consideration, especially with its ridiculous $120,000 price tag?? This concept, on the other hand, is more targeted towards hitting the nostalgic nerve, with its retro café racer-inspired styling. For inspiration, the café racer looks to the magnificent DB4 GT Zagato Continuation model, a spectacular automotive gem from the good ol’ days of hand-formed metal and rich nostalgia. In terms of retro appeal, it’s hard to deny the DB4 GT Zagato’s meticulous coachwork. The Aston café racer inherited the gorgeous wired wheels and round headlight design of the DB4. It also has a bulbous gas tank, circular side mirrors, and a smallish windshield to complete the retro vibe.

Rivian is making ‘noise’ with its R1T electric pickup truck and R1S SUV. Both vehicles are destined to become the first all-electric off-roaders with genuinely rugged, go-anywhere capabilities. It was only natural that a Rivian motorbike would therefore reflect the future of dirt bikes or eMotorcross. Like the Rivian R1T, this dirt bike concept is all-electric with twin hub-mounted electric motors, a modest battery pack, off-road suspension, and regenerative charging technology. The simple, no-frills design is a definitive nod to the Rivian R1T’s utilitarian roots. And like the R1T, the Rivian dirt bike has oval stadium lights with LED headlamps and a smallish light bar. With only two wheels, the Rivian dirt bike is incapable of making a stationary ‘tank turn’ like the R1T pickup, but it still offers a massive grip and tons of torque to conquer the wild outdoors.

While the Japanese company is much better known for its iconic Lancer, or for the Eclipse or Evo GT, the company’s bread and butter are its practical subcompacts and SUVs… a result of it being partially acquired by Nissan back in 2016. Among the brand’s offerings is the Mitsubishi Mirage, one of the most fuel-efficient, non-hybrid vehicles in the market, capable of achieving 38-43 mpg even with a heavy lead foot. As such, the Mirage definitely has a strong scooter vibe, hence the creation of this Mitsubishi Scooter. Small in size yet packing a large seat, the Mitsubishi scooter has rugged tires, comfortable suspension, and a familiar Dynamic Shield face. And like the Mirage, it gets the job done with minimal fuss. It doesn’t have a dinky three-cylinder motor like the Mirage, but it does have a dinkier 1.0-liter, single-cylinder EFI engine, and a large gas tank to deliver exceptional mileage.


We cap this list with Tesla. I mean, come on… we weren’t going to include Rivian in this list but NOT include the OG electric brand, right? Based on the much-anticipated Tesla Roadster v2.0, this electric superbike goes as fast as it looks. But unlike the incoming Tesla Roadster with its curvy body, the Tesla sports bike has sharper lines akin to a Nighthawk stealth fighter. This conceptual e-beast has twin hub-mounted electric motors, air suspension, massive brakes, and a lower center of gravity. It’s not about how fast the Tesla Sports Bike can go, but how long you can hold on for dear life as you activate its Ludicrous Mode!

Designer: NeoMam Studios for Budget Direct.

Via: Budget Direct

Aston Martin’s V12 roofless speedster is a sleek siren calling out to all thrill seekers!

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Post cancellation of the Geneva International Motor Show 2020, the Aston Martin V12 showed its gorgeous face at the company’s headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire in March. The lightweight two-seater speedster is designed by the “Q by Aston Martin” bespoke division, who took the car from the blueprint stage to reality in just 12 months. Now the car inspired by the CC100 Speedster Concept and 1959 Le Mans-winning DBR1 from the marque’s grand past will be parked in the dealerships as early as the first quarter of next year. The car will only be made in 88 limited edition units with each one costing a mind-bending $950,000 – so it’s going to be a rare affair to spot one the roads!

The front of the Aston Martin V12 stamps the authority of road presence in every aspect, right from its headlights and the intimidating grille to the nostrils on the hood and well creased sporty design language flowing to the sides which features 21-inch forged center-locking wheels. The rear compliments those aesthetics very well with the spoiler that protrudes out of the taillights, demanding special attention. The car sports broadened shoulders and stylish twin humps and spine separating the driver and the co-rider. The Skyfall Silver livery designed in collaboration with Boeing is inspired by fighter jets and is aptly contrasted with the satin black on the exhaust tips, vent grilles, and vanes. To keep the total weight down without compromising the aesthetics, the design team has infused satin chrome structural carbon fiber and aluminum inserts.

The heart of this machine is the 5.2-liter twin-turbocharged V-12 that churns out 710 horsepower and 555 pound-feet of torque. This sublime power translates to an impressive 0-62 mph in 3.5 seconds and a top speed of electronically limited 186 mph – if that doesn’t give you’re the adrenaline rush of driving on the open roads, we are afraid nothing will! Matt Becker, Aston Martin’s chief engineer, said, “For raw, driving thrills the V12 Speedster is unparalleled, the fully open element of the car adding a new dimension to the experience.” He believes that “driving doesn’t get any purer than this” thanks to the engaging driving experience with the power of twin-turbo 5.2-liter V12 at your command.

Designer: Aston Martin

The AERO 3 is a performance machine inspired by design cues from Ferrari to Alfa Romeo!

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There’s a little something for everyone when it comes to the Aero 3. Whether you like rare-bred racecars, whether you want to dominate roads, whether you want to grab eyeballs, or if you’re a fan of Alfa Romeo, BMW, Ferrari, Aston Martin, or even Porsche, the Aero 3’s phenomenal design has details that will both please you as well as get your blood pumping.

Unveiled at the 15th Annual Salon Privé Concours d’Elégance, held at historic Blenheim Palace (birthplace of Winston Churchill), the Aero 3 comes from Touring Superleggera, an Italian coachbuilder with a legacy stretching back decades. The car’s inspiration comes from a variety of places, but it possesses the heart of a Ferrari F12 Berlinetta. The car’s chassis and drivetrain are repurposed from the Ferrari, while the outer crimson color-job pays homage to its roots. The body itself is highly reminiscent of the Alfa Romeo Disco Volante (you’ll notice the red paint-job sharing a commonality there too), and comes with a familiar-looking inverted trapezoid grille on the front. A single line running through the middle sort of turns it into a reinterpretation of BMW’s kidney-grille. Move towards the car’s rear and Aston-Martin-inspired backside is a treat to look at. The thin taillights definitely scream Porsche, but by far the most eye-catching detail on the car is its caudal fin that stands out at the back. The fin itself doesn’t serve any aerodynamic detail, says Touring’s head of design Louis de Fabribeckers, but it definitely harks back to the company’s aero legacy which started in the early 1930s.

If you’re a bit of a gearhead, it’s worth noting that the AERO 3 retains the F12 Berlinetta’s V12 engine that pushes out 730 horsepower and 509 pound-feet of torque. A lighter carbon-fiber body and the aerodynamic design allows the car to reach top speed limits of 340 km/h with an acceleration of 0-100 km/h in just 3.1 seconds. There’s no word on the pricing of the AERO 3, but Touring Superleggera did announce that they’re only making 15 of these beauties (although they’re probably already sold out). Doesn’t hurt to admire the images though, does it?

Designer: Touring Superleggera

Aston Martin designs a luxury, sustainable, private residence in New York for $10.8million!

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Aston Martin is obviously known to make some of the sleekest cars ever but they are always pushing their design boundaries to create new things, things outside the automotive realm which is not something most of its competitors do. They have worked on everything like helicopters motorcycles, boats, and their most recent adventure was designing a private luxury residence in New York’s Hudson Valley. The iconic brand partnered with S3 Architecture to create the Sylvan Rock – an angular home nestled in a lush, 55-acre property that can be accessed through a picturesque 2,000 ft driveway wrapped in trees and rock walls. The home will be built using sustainable building methods, materials, and efficient systems – attending to the planet’s needs is as important as attending to a client.

The main residence’s structural shape mimics the geological rock formations found on the property. It is enveloped in blackened cedar and glass which reminds of well-crafted swords in their sheaths. The residence is spread over 5,983 sq-ft featuring four bedrooms, four bathrooms, two half baths, a custom wine cellar covered in Aston Martin’s trademark cross-hatched lattice design, a three-car gallery garage, a pool, and an 873 sq-ft pool house! All this space and you still don’t have to share it with guests, in fact, the property has a couple of multi-functional guest house pods. Even the pod architecture was designed to be flexible and easily reconfigurable so guests staying for an extended time had facilities like remote office location, business colleague retreat, home school, and a treehouse. Overall, the architectural design has been formed on the pillars of health and wellness, and to give those pillars a luxurious upgrade, it also includes a fully-equipped at-home spa as well as an agricultural garden – organic treatment for your body and mind!

“Creating a luxury residence with warm textures, bold forms, and exceptional privacy is very aligned with Aston Martin’s own vision. We wanted the owner and their guests to experience the three-dimensional feel of the house in an organic way, just like you experience one of our cars – there is no single façade that dominates,” Cathal Loughnane, Head of Aston Martin Partnerships. Sylvan Rock is the first of its kind micro compound luxury residence created by S3 Architecture and also the first private residential estate designed by Aston Martin. Do you have $10.8 million to spare?

Designer: Aston Martin and S3 Architecture