Aston Martin Trials Solar Technology In Sao Paulo

 Aston Martin Racing and technical partner Hanergy Thin Film Power trialed the team’s first solar technology project on November 28 at the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) Six Hours of Sao Paulo.

The project, aimed at using energy from the sun to help power auxiliary systems on the V8 Vantage GTE, was announced at the 24 Hours of Le Mans earlier this year. Following a close working partnership between the two engineering experts, the technology was trialed in free practice one ahead of the six-hour race.

“The idea behind the solar technology project is to help develop and demonstrate the potential of the Hanergy thin film photovoltaic panels for use on both race and road vehicles,” explains Dan Sayers, Technical Director at Aston Martin Racing. “The electricity generated by the cells can then be used to power auxiliary systems, for example the air conditioning system, that currently consume power from the engine.”

The thin film solar panels, designed and manufactured by Hanergy Thin Film Power, have been on the roof of the #97 Vantage GTE for the last four rounds of the WEC while the team developed the technology back at Aston Martin Racing’s headquarters in Banbury, UK.

At the iconic Interlagos Circuit in Sao Paulo, Brazil, the engineering team connected the panels and began collecting valuable data required to move the project forward during the winter months.

“This test was the first time that the system has gone active and it was a great success which is a testament to the Hanergy product and support,” explains Sayers. “We hope to have the system operating fully in the 2015 WEC.”

After the session, Jason Chow, Vice President of Hanergy Holding Group commented: "We are very excited to see the #97 Vantage GTE has its roof with Hanergy's high-efficiency flexible module. This integration will have meaningful impact both on racing cars and road cars of the future."

Aston Martin ‘On Ice’

Taking place on the slopes near Crested Butte, Aston Martin will host their second annual ice driving program in February. This ‘On Ice’ program gives enthusiasts the chance to hone their driving skills in this three day, Colorado experience.

Aston Martin has built a custom ice track for the program, comprising a braking/cornering exercise loop, slalom, skid pad and full circuit. Under expert guidance, participants are led through the facility before embarking on the series of braking, cornering and handling exercises on the mile-long frozen road course.

“After this hugely successful first year,” said Julian Jenkins, President of Aston Martin the Americas. “We expect the ‘On Ice’ program to become a mainstay of our customer experience offerings here in North America.”

Located in the western town of Crested Butte in the heart of the Colorado Rocky Mountains, ‘On Ice’ will also offer a multitude of non-driving activities such as skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling or dog sledding  for guests to enjoy the scenery.

“The ability to experience a range of our cars in a unique and controlled environment resonates with Aston Martin customers and enthusiasts,” said Jenkins. “Who are all united by a shared passion for driving.”

Available dates for the ‘Aston Martin On Ice 2015’ program are February 20-22nd or 22-24^th. Pricing is set at $9,999 for a driving guest and $2,499 for non-driving guests.

We here at Late European Aston Martin believe in enjoying your luxury ride, no matter what you are driving on. For more information regarding purchasing an Aston Martin or other luxury vehicle from Late European, contact Sonny Morgan at 512.401.4607 through Late European or sonny@lateeuro.com.

Aston Martin Wins In Shanghai And Secures Two World Titles

The strength of Aston Martin Racing continues to grow worldwide. With a dominating performance over the weekend, an Aston Martin will take the GTE Am Drivers Trophy when the series wraps up later this month. The class winning car is based on the V8 Vantage available at Late European in Austin.

The critical weekend began as Aston Martin Racing took pole position in both of the FIA World Endurance Championship’s (WEC) GT classes for the sixth round of the 2014 season, the Six Hours of Shanghai. This was an amazing accomplishment for the marque.

Then, Aston Martin Racing won the GTE Am class at Shanghai in its #98 V8 Vantage GTE, with the #95 sister-car finishing in second place. This has ensured that one of its two GTE Am entries will take the 2014 GTE Am Teams Trophy and one or more of its drivers will take the GTE Am Drivers Trophy.

Although it was the #98 NorthWest car that crossed the line in first place at the Shanghai International Circuit, the pair of Aston Martin Vantage GTEs once again proved how evenly matched they are by closely but safely battling for the lead throughout the six-hour race.

The NorthWest-sponsored team of Christoffer Nygaard, Pedro Lamy and Paul Dalla Lana qualified on pole and, other than trading places with their #95 team-mates, they led the race to the checkered flag.

”That was a great race,” commented Nygaard. “We qualified on pole for the second event in a row and were in the lead for most of the race. Paul and Pedro both did a great job today and we’re looking forward to going to Bahrain and hopefully closing the championship lead on the #95 car.”

Despite leading the class at one point, the #95 Vantage GTE – driven by Richie Stanaway, Kristian Poulsen and David Heinemeier Hansson – had to settle for second place and, although the #98 has closed the gap on the championship lead, it is the #95 Young Driver AMR car that goes into the penultimate round of the 2014 at the top of the championship standings.

“With just two races remaining, this result puts all other teams out of the running for the 2014 GTE Am Teams Trophy, leaving it a two-way battle between the Aston Martins,” said Sonny Morgan of Late European. “It has been a brilliant season for the Aston Martin team.”

“It’s great to be leading the championship but the #98 team are giving us a good battle,” commented Heinemeier Hansson, who is currently leading the GTE Am Drivers Trophy, alongside Poulsen. “Either way, an Aston Martin and an Aston Martin Racing works driver has won the GTE Am championship, which is fantastic for the team, but we are going to do whatever we can to make sure it is us!”

In the GTE Pro class, the #99 Craft-Bamboo Vantage GTE had a clean and solid race and finished in fourth place but luck was not on the side of the #97 Vantage GTE which, despite qualifying on pole and leading the race from the green flag, was forced to retire with an engine issue in the fifth hour of the race.

“To have clinched the GTE Am Teams and Drivers Trophies with two rounds remaining is great news,” commented Team Principal John Gaw. “It’s a two-horse-race to the end now and, although the #95 is in the lead, the #98 is hot on its heels.

“Obviously, it’s disappointing that the #97 GTE Pro car had to retire. It qualified on pole and led for the whole race and we are confident that without the issue we would have taken our third race-win here in three years. Still, we head to Bahrain in a couple of weeks with the same focus and determination and as positive as ever.”

The FIA WEC continues with the penultimate round in Bahrain on November 15 and 16, 2014