Henrik Fisker has filed a $100 million civil lawsuit against Aston Martin in a federal court over allegations of extortion. Fisker, who previously worked for Aston Martin but is most famous for his failed car company Fisker Automotive, is claiming Aston Martin made “threats” regarding the planned introduction of a new concept car at next week’s 2016 Detroit Auto Show.

The concept car is the Force 1, which was previewed by Fisker in a teaser sketch last month. According to Fisker’s legal team, the designer received a letter from a lawyer representing Aston Martin. The letter demanded that Fisker either make some changes to the concept before the debut or refrain from showing it altogether.

Allegedly, Aston Martin made the demand based solely on the teaser sketch and threatened to sue Fisker if he failed to comply. In the letter, a comparison of the design shown in the teaser sketch was made with Aston Martin’s own DB10 built exclusively for the James Bond movie Spectre.

Note, this isn’t the first time that such an issue has flared up between the two parties. Last March, Aston Martin filed a lawsuit against Fisker over the design of a coachbuilt car based on the original Aston Martin Vanquish, which Fisker planned to build and sell in limited numbers as his own car called the Thunderbolt. However, that time Fisker and Aston Martin managed to settle things out of court and Fisker canned the project.

Racing tech for Aston’s outrageous new sub-brand. First up, the Vantage and Rapide

It’s the never-ending conundrum for car companies: how to turn a win on Sunday into a sale on Monday. Aston has been winning on the track more than most lately, claiming the 2016 FIA WEC GT Drivers’ Championship, and two class victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans – and now it has a plan to turn Aston Martin Racing’s (AMR) success into a tidy profit.

The idea couldn’t be simpler – an AMR sub-brand that diffuses racing technology into the road car line up, creating the most extreme, and presumably expensive, versions of each model line. In time, Aston says, every model in the line-up will have a hardcore AMR derivative, and to show us what it’s on about it’s transformed the Rapide into the Rapide AMR and the outgoing Vantage into the Vantage AMR Pro for the Geneva show.

We start with the Rapide AMR, a milder interpretation of the AMR formula that will be developed by Aston’s central vehicle engineering team. Although exact specs are yet to be announced, it gets more power from its 6.0-litre V12, chassis upgrades and slap-in-the-face styling, including lime green accents, new 21-inch wheels and pumped up bodywork for more downforce. Inside there’s carbon-fibre race seats and more retina-searing flashes of lime green.

The Vantage AMR Pro represents something altogether more serious – a non-road-legal track toy powered by a 500bhp version of Aston’s GT4 racing engine, making it the most powerful, and almost certainly the loudest V8 Vantage ever. All AMR Pro models will be handled by Aston’s own in-house skunk works – Q by Aston Martin Advanced Operations – and set up at its Nurburgring test centre. We hold out little hope for the ride comfort. Fully-adjustable race suspension, the same rear wing and bonnet as the V8 Vantage GTE racer, centre-locking wheels, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres and a roll cage complete the technical spec, while the interior and colour scheme is just as eccentric as the Rapide. Wallflowers need not apply.

What about the Vantage GT8 and GT12 models I hear you cry? Well, the AMR Pro is a much wilder proposition so doesn’t actually step on their toes. Truth is, though, it was those models that convinced Aston there’s a healthy market for more exclusive and extreme variants.

“AMR is something we have wanted to bring to fruition for some time. Cars such as the Vantage GT8 and Vantage GT12 confirmed that our customers love raw, race-bred models, but we also knew there was an opportunity to create cars that offer a sharper performance focus but stop short of those truly hardcore, special series models,” Aston’s CEO, Andy Palmer explained. “With the AMR brand we have the perfect platform to deliver both.”

And when he says deliver, Palmer means it: “I’m incredibly excited to announce that we will be putting both the Vantage AMR Pro and Rapide AMR into production: the Vantage in an extremely limited series of no more than 7 cars; the Rapide as a run of only 210 cars. They are the start of something very exciting - a programme that will eventually see an AMR version of every model in the Aston Martin range”.

A step too far for the historic Aston brand, or a clever extension of their existing operations? You decide.

Surprise reveal of the day goes to the DB11 maker’s submersible

Carmakers – truly exclusive carmakers – measure their customers’ wealth in number of vehicles owned. Famously, a typical Bugatti Chiron buyer will have 64 cars, three jets, three helicopters, and a yacht. But, pray tell, how many submarines?

Aston Martin has clearly eyed a gap in the market. Or this is our first hint that James Bond will be sub-aquatic in his next film, while staying fully on-brand with his favourite sports car company. Anyway, today has yielded Project Neptune, an actual Aston submarine.

It’s the first product from Aston Martin Consulting – think of it as a design subsidiary like Porsche’s – and it’s seen the DB11 maker team up with Triton Submarines LLC, a company renowned for its “state-of-the-art submersibles”.

That means sub-aquatic vehicles for researchers, explorers and – naturally – superyacht owners. Whether that’s for nefarious reasons or simply an extremely extravagant way of getting to shore, we’re not sure.

“Project Neptune is defined by its sleek, elegant exterior,” says Aston’s design boss, Marek Reichman. “We have used forms and proportions that express the same devotion to design, engineering and beauty that shape our cars, such as the Aston Martin Valkyrie hypercar project.”

It’s certainly striking. And like no submersible we’ve seen before. There’s a hint of the AM37 Aston speedboat in some of its sculpting, and no hint whatsoever of either Gerry Anderson’s Stingray or The Beatles’ yellow submarine, our only two reference points in this particular corner of the market.

There’s no word of cost nor propulsion method, but expect these to come: Aston and Triton appear to have full intent on selling these, and Aston came true on production of the AM37. The companies describe themselves as “ready to introduce the new generation of yacht owners to the deep ocean, greatly enhancing the superyacht ownership experience.”

What do you reckon? Is this the next must-have on your lottery win list?

One of Aston Martin's most iconic models - the DB4 GT - is to be celebrated with a special series of 25 track-only continuation cars built to lightweight specification by Aston Martin Works at Newport Pagnell.

Launched in 1959, the Aston Martin DB4 GT was immediately celebrated as one of the rarest and most revered of all Aston Martins. Evolved from the production DB4 and introduced in the same year Aston Martin scored its historic outright win in the Le Mans 24 Hours, the DB4 GT was a true supercar of its day. Shorter, lighter, sleeker and with a more powerful version of the legendary 3.7-litre straight-six engine, not only was the DB4 GT Britain's fastest passenger sports car, it was a born winner, scoring a debut race victory at Silverstone in the hands of Sir Stirling Moss. A total of 75 DB4 GTs were built between 1959 and 1963. Of these only eight were lightweight models, most of which survive today, and values now comfortably exceed £3m.

Remaining faithful to the design of those original eight factory lightweights, each DB4 GT continuation will be built with Aston Martin Works' unrivalled experience and exemplary attention. Employing a blend of old world craftsmanship and modern techniques, continuation cars benefit from improvements in engine performance, handling, braking and safety, with great care taken to ensure these enhancements build upon the original's exceptional qualities while retaining its feel and character.

Underlining that authenticity are the continuation car VIN numbers, which carry on from the last original Aston Martin DB4 GT ordered - Chassis 0202R - for an unbroken bloodline and impeccable Newport Pagnell-built pedigree spanning half a century.

At its heart is a version of the celebrated Tadek Marek-designed straight-six cylinder engine with two spark plugs per cylinder, transmitting its 340bhp to the rear wheels through a four-speed manual transmission and limited-slip differential, just as in the original DB4 GT Thanks to its shortened wheelbase the DB4 GT is a strict two-seater blessed with greater agility than the regular four-seater DB4. Its body follows the original construction, with thin-gauge aluminum panels fitted over a tubular frame. To improve the accuracy and consistency of the panels, the continuation car's bodywork uses state-of-the-art digital technology, before being hand-finished in time-honoured tradition.

Fittingly for a car created to celebrate one of Aston Martin's most illustrious competition models, the Aston Martin DB4 GT Continuation is built to be enjoyed on track. Aston Martin Works has created a two-year international track driving programme held at a number of the world's finest race tracks, including the spectacular Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi. The ultimate arrive-and-drive experience, customers may also take advantage of Aston Martin's dedicated driver training team. Comprised of expert instructors, including Aston Martin Racing's multiple Le Mans class winner (and Goodwood Revival regular) Darren Turner, they will help customers master driving techniques from an era when track driving was more art than science.

Paul Spires, Commercial Director, Aston Martin Works said of the DB4 GT Continuation programme: "For over 60 years Aston Martin Works has devoted unrivalled skill and experience to preserving Aston Martin's heritage. Now we are creating something for the future, with a special series of 25 continuation cars that celebrate one of Aston Martin's greatest cars - the DB4 GT Lightweight. Built in our recently refurbished, state-of-the-art facilities in Newport Pagnell, the DB4 GT Continuation is hand built in the same location as its illustrious forebears, and marks the return of production to the historic home of Aston Martin for the first time since the last Vanquish S was completed in 2007. Combining the authenticity of a hand-crafted David Brown era car with sympathetic application of modern engineering advancements and performance enhancements, the DB4 GT Continuation is a fusion of classic design and contemporary methods. The result is a truly remarkable machine. One that offers 25 individuals the opportunity of commissioning a classic, built to modern day standards and ready to be enjoyed in an international track driving programme as bespoke and individual as the cars themselves."

Dr Andy Palmer, Aston Martin President and CEO commented: "Aston Martin has a rich and vibrant heritage, as you'd expect from a company that has been building some of the world's finest sports cars for 103-years. Of those the DB4 GT stands proud as one of the most coveted of all. It's a mark of Aston Martin's breadth of abilities that in the same year we launched the DB11 - our most advanced 'DB' production car ever - we can also embark on an adventure such as the DB4 GT Continuation. A project that taps into the unique passion and skills that exist within Aston Martin, I'm thrilled we have the imagination and capability to offer 25 enthusiasts the unique opportunity to commission their own piece of Aston Martin history."

Aston Martin shares plunge after carmaker posts near-£80m loss

Demand from dealers for firm’s luxury vehicles slumped in the UK and across Europe

Good news if you're looking to buy an Aston Martin: The automaker is slashing prices by tens of thousands of dollars on certain models. Buyers will see price reductions on the 2021 Aston Martin DBX, Vantage Coupe, and Vantage Roadster.

Initially, Aston Martin said that the DBX would go for $192,986. Now, Aston Martin has reduced that price by $13,000 to $179,986. This puts the SUV in line with the starting price for the Bentley Bentayga V8.

Meanwhile, the 2021 Aston Martin Vantage Coupe now costs $142,086, regardless of whether you opt for the seven-speed manual or the eight-speed automatic. That's a price reduction of $7,000 for the manual and $14,000 for the automatic. On the Vantage Roadster, prices now start at $150,086, a drop of $14,000. The Vantage Roadster is available exclusively with the automatic transmission.

All of these vehicles make use of the Mercedes-AMG-developed 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8. The engine delivers 542 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque in the DBX, and up to 503 hp and 505 lb-ft in the Vantage sports cars.

In a statement, Aston Martin Lagonda says it's taking steps to improve the "competitive position of the business" under a new leadership team led by CEO Tobias Moers, who left Mercedes' AMG division to take the helm of Aston Martin in August after a troubled IPO and other financial woes. "The Company continues to implement a strategy to rebalance the core business and has taken the decision to align its global pricing to give it headroom for more profitable products and variants it has planned for the future, which has seen a price realignment on certain models and derivatives in some markets," Aston Martin continued. Sounds like a plan to us.

Daimler unit Mercedes-Benz is to lift its stake in Britain's Aston Martin to up to 20% by 2023, making it one of the struggling British carmaker's largest shareholders, Aston said on Tuesday.

Aston Martin, popular for being James Bond's carmaker of choice, has suffered a torrid time since it went public two years ago, with its shares losing two-thirds of their value this year.

The 107-year-old firm hired Tobias Moers, former CEO of Mercedes-AMG, as its new boss from August.

Aston said the increase in Mercedes-Benz's stake, from 2.6% currently, would take place in several stages as part of a wider issue of 250 million shares at 50 pence each.

The stock issued to the German group will have a maximum value of 286 million pounds ($372.7 million), it said.

The deal will see an existing supply agreement between the two firms, in place since 2013, expanded to give Aston Martin access to key Mercedes' technology, including hybrid and electric drive systems.

"We take another major step forward as our long-term partnership with Mercedes-Benz AG moves to another level, with them becoming one of the company's largest shareholders," said Aston's chairman and biggest shareholder Lawrence Stroll.

The German firm will get the right to nominate one non-executive director to Aston Martin's board after its first shareholding increase, the London-listed firm said.

Aston, which has started deliveries of its first sport utility vehicle, the DBX, said on Tuesday it swung into an adjusted core loss of 29 million pounds in the third quarter, versus a profit of 43 million pounds last year.

Revenue in the period nearly halved to 124 million pounds, it said.

Aston Martin is targeting annual capex of 250 million pounds to 300 million pounds per year between 2021 and 2025.

It envisages production volumes of about 10,000 units, revenues of about 2 billion pounds and adjusted core profit of 500 million pounds by financial years 2024 or 2025.

Just a few months ago, back in January, Aston Martin Racing team boss Otmar Szafnauer walked away from the team over creative differences with Canadian Aston financier Lawrence Stroll. At the time it was reported that the head of the brand’s road car division would also be ousted, but Stroll stated that reports claiming he was courting replacements for Tobias Moers were “categorically not true.” Be that as it may, it was confirmed on Tuesday that Moers would be leaving the brand with immediate effect.

Reportedly the departure of the CEO again comes after creative differences with Stroll. Perhaps part of those creative differences are related to the company’s 2021 profit failings, and further delays getting cars into customer hands. Amidst supply chain difficulties and international war, the company’s flagship Valkyrie has seen several key delays, and cost the company millions. Just ten of the Valkyrie models were delivered to customers in 2021, about half of what the company had expected.

Moers only just took over the Chief Executive position in May of 2020, replacing the long tenured Andy Palmer. He had big shoes to fill, as Palmer was the architect of modern Aston Martin, developing the brand from an also-ran former Ford cast off to a real player in the segment. Moers walked back many of Palmer’s later days projects, including the in-house developed V6 engine and all-electric Lagonda luxury models. These ideas were exciting and could have developed a lot of tech for Aston, but ultimately were deemed too expensive to carry on.

Moers was apparently in talks to develop a German tech base for Aston Martin, moving R&D out of the Gaydon facility and strengthening ties with company stakeholder Mercedes-Benz. According to reports from Car Magazine, Stroll is more interested in setting the R&D in Italy to give the Brit brand a bit more flair. It is also rumored that the replacement CEO will be former Ferrari CEO Amedo Felisa, but we’ll have to wait and see on that one.

The rumor mill is alight with conversations that Audi is interested in purchasing Aston Martin outright for assistance with its 2026 Formula One bid, and that Geely is also interested in a buyout. Who knows if that is going to happen, but it’s possible that Stroll was more interested in walking away from Mercedes to keep those prospects alive.

Aston Martin has been hit with a £150 million ($170 m) lawsuit from two disgruntled ex-dealers who say the automaker owes them money for part-funding the development of the Valkyrie hypercar.

​​​​​​​Cash-strapped Aston needed help to get the supercar project off the ground so in 2016 it turned to Andreas Baenziger and Florian Kamelger who operated a successful dealership selling the brand’s cars and had connections with some of Aston Martin’s wealthiest clients.

The Financial Times reports that that the Swiss pair would provide funding for the Valkyrie, it’s Valhalla little brother, plus a third car, and were in exchange guaranteed royalty payments of 3 percent, which equated to around £150 m.

“The arbitration proceedings are at an early stage but the group is of the view that it can defend the claims brought by Nebula Project AG and assert valid counterclaims in the arbitration,” Aston said of the lawsuit in the prospectus for the company’s rights issue published last week. “At this stage it is not possible to assess the group’s potential total overall exposure.”

Last year Aston launched its own civil lawsuit and criminal proceedings against the dealer’s company, Nebula Project AG, claiming it had withheld customer deposits, and demanding £15 m it said it was owed.

“Aston Martin is working with our affected customers to ensure they receive delivery of their vehicles,” Aston boss Lawrence Stroll told the FT in a statement. “We are confident in our legal position and believe their counterclaims are retaliatory and without merit."

Aston has endured long periods of financial instability throughout its 109-year existence, and suffered a humiliating crash in stock value after launching onto the markets in 2018. But this summer it was revealed that Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund was putting £78 million ($93 m) into the firm, which hoped to raise a further £575 million ($685 m) with a rights issue.