Written by Aston Martin
Aston Martin is the British maker of luxury sports cars and grand tourers, and it is best known for the DB5 that James Bond drove in Goldfinger. This guide covers the current lineup, as well as the company’s history and ownership, its biggest achievements and its racing history, from Le Mans to Formula 1.
Aston Martin at a Glance
Founded 15 January 1913 In London, as Bamford & Martin
Founders Lionel Martin, Robert Bamford Named after the Aston Hill climb
Headquarters Gaydon Warwickshire, England; DBX built in St Athan, Wales
Listed LSE: AML London Stock Exchange since 2018
Sales 2025 5,448 cars Wholesale volume; revenue £1.26 billion
Leadership Adrian Hallmark CEO since October 2024; Lawrence Stroll is executive chairman
Aston Martin Model Lineup
Aston Martin builds a small range of front-engine sports cars and grand tourers, as well as the DBX SUV and a few mid-engine hypercars. The list below shows the core models in 2026. Most use a twin-turbo V8 supplied by Mercedes-AMG, while the Vanquish has the brand’s own V12. However, there is no fully electric model yet, because the first one has been pushed back to around 2030.
Sports cars (2)
Sports car
Vantage
Gas Twin-turbo V8 Coupe
The Vantage is the brand’s most compact sports car, and it was heavily updated in 2024 with more power and a new interior. A sharper Vantage S joined it in 2025.
Roadster
Vantage Roadster
Gas Twin-turbo V8 Soft top
Meanwhile, the Roadster is the open-top Vantage, with a fabric roof that folds quickly. It also shares the coupe’s V8 engine and chassis.
Grand tourers (2)
Grand tourer
DB12
Gas Twin-turbo V8 Coupe & Volante
The DB12 arrived in 2023 as the latest in the DB line that began in 1948. It has a 680 PS twin-turbo V8, and it is also sold as the open-top DB12 Volante.
Flagship GT
Vanquish
Gas Twin-turbo V12 835 PS
The Vanquish returned in 2024 as the brand’s flagship, with a 5.2-liter twin-turbo V12 producing 835 PS. In addition, a Vanquish Volante convertible began deliveries in 2025.
SUV (1)
Luxury SUV
DBX
Gas Twin-turbo V8 All-wheel drive
The DBX is the brand’s first SUV, and since 2020 it has been built in St Athan, Wales. The DBX707 has 707 PS, while a more powerful DBX S arrived in 2025.
Hypercars and specials (3)
Mid-engine supercar
Valhalla
Plug-in hybrid V8 1,079 PS
The Valhalla is the brand’s first mid-engine plug-in hybrid, with 1,079 PS. Deliveries began in 2025, and more than 220 were delivered in the first half of 2026.
Hypercar
Valkyrie
Hybrid V12 Limited
The Valkyrie was developed with Red Bull Advanced Technologies and uses a high-revving 6.5-liter V12 hybrid. Road cars were built from 2021 to 2024, while a racing version now competes at Le Mans.
Limited special
Valour
Gas V12 Manual
The Valour was built to mark the brand’s 110th anniversary, so only 110 were made. Unusually, it pairs a V12 with a manual gearbox.
What Is Aston Martin?
Aston Martin is a British maker of luxury sports cars, headquartered in Gaydon, Warwickshire. Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford founded the company in London on 15 January 1913, and they named it after Aston Hill, where Martin raced, as well as Martin’s own surname. Their first car was finished in 1915.
The company struggled for money for decades, and it has survived seven bankruptcies. Then in 1947 industrialist David Brown bought it, together with Lagonda, which gave the “DB” cars their name. The DB5, especially, became world famous after it starred in the 1964 James Bond film Goldfinger. Later, Ford owned the company from 1987 until 2007, while it opened the Gaydon factory in 2003.
Today Aston Martin is a public company, and its largest shareholder is a group led by executive chairman Lawrence Stroll. It sold 5,448 cars in 2025, while it made a large loss. However, sales rose 21% in the first half of 2026, especially thanks to the new Valhalla.
Aston Martin History
Aston Martin has changed owners many times in more than a century, while it has kept building hand-finished British sports cars.
- 1913 Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford found the company in London on 15 January.
- 1915 The first car is completed in Kensington, west London.
- 1922 then races in the French Grand Prix and sets speed records at Brooklands.
- 1947 David Brown buys the company and Lagonda, so the DB era begins.
- 1955 Production moves to Newport Pagnell, which builds the cars until 2007.
- 1959 The DBR1 wins the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and the team also takes the World Sportscar Championship.
- 1964 The DB5 stars in the James Bond film Goldfinger.
- 1972 David Brown sells the company for just £101 after paying off its debts.
- 1987 Ford buys a 75% stake, and later it takes full control.
- 2003 The new headquarters and factory in Gaydon open.
- 2007 Ford sells the company to a group led by Prodrive’s David Richards.
- 2013 agrees a technical partnership with Mercedes-AMG for V8 engines and electronics.
- 2018 is listed on the London Stock Exchange in October.
- 2020 Lawrence Stroll’s Yew Tree group invests, while the DBX SUV goes on sale.
- 2021 The Aston Martin Formula 1 team is created, and Valkyrie deliveries begin.
- 2025 Valhalla deliveries begin, and the Valkyrie races at Le Mans in the Hypercar class.
Iconic Aston Martin Models
These six cars shaped the reputation of Aston Martin, from the first DB of the Newport Pagnell era to a modern V12 hypercar.
1958–1963
DB4
Superleggera body Straight-six
The DB4 was the first model built at Newport Pagnell, and its lightweight Superleggera body was designed by Touring of Milan. About 1,110 were made.
1963–1965
DB5
James Bond 4.0 straight-six
The DB5 became the brand’s most famous car after Goldfinger. In 2019, one of the Bond cars from the film sold at auction for $6.4 million.
1977–1989
V8 Vantage
V8 Britain’s first supercar
The V8 Vantage was hailed as “Britain’s first supercar”, and it could reach about 170 mph. Only 534 were built, so it is highly collectible today.
1976–1989
Lagonda
Wedge shape Digital dash
William Towns’s sharp wedge-shaped saloon had a pioneering digital dashboard. However, its complex electronics made it unreliable, and only 645 were built.
1994–2004
DB7
Ford era Best-seller
Unlike earlier models, the DB7 was developed under Ford ownership and built at Bloxham. About 7,000 were made, which made it the brand’s most-produced model at the time.
2009–2012
One-77
V12 77 built
Because only 77 One-77s were made, it is very rare. Each had a 7.3-liter V12 producing 760 PS. It was also one of the most powerful naturally aspirated production cars of its time.
Who Owns Aston Martin?
Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings is a public company listed in London. Lawrence Stroll’s Yew Tree consortium is the largest shareholder, with about a third of the shares in 2025, while Geely, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and Mercedes-Benz hold smaller stakes. When AutoGathering has a page for a brand, its name below links to that page.
Largest shareholder Yew Tree consortium Led by Lawrence Stroll; about 33% in 2025
This page Aston Martin Lagonda Gaydon, England · Aston Martin and Lagonda brands
Minority Geely Chinese car group, shareholder since 2023
Minority Public Investment Fund Saudi sovereign fund, shareholder since 2022
Minority Mercedes-Benz Shareholder and engine partner since 2013
Brand Lagonda Luxury brand owned since 1947
Partners
The company also relies on partners for engines and technology, so several of its cars share parts with other makers.
- Mercedes-Benz (AMG V8 engines and electronics since 2013)
- Lucid (electric drive technology, agreed in 2023)
- Honda (Formula 1 engine partner since 2026)
In addition, the Aston Martin Formula 1 team is owned separately by Lawrence Stroll’s AMR GP, which pays to use the Aston Martin name.
Former owners
- David Brown (1947–1972) The tractor and gear maker whose initials gave the DB models their name.
- Ford (1987–2007) Ford bought 75% in 1987 and later full control, then sold the company in 2007 for £475 million.
- Prodrive-led consortium (2007–2020) A group led by David Richards with Kuwaiti investors, later joined by Investindustrial in 2012.
Aston Martin Accomplishments
The record of Aston Martin rests on beautiful grand tourers, its link with James Bond and a long racing history, as well as on surviving many financial crises.
1959
Le Mans overall win
The DBR1 of Roy Salvadori and Carroll Shelby won, while another DBR1 finished second.
1959
World Sportscar Championship
The company won the title the same year, which remains its only sports car world title.
2020
WEC GT world titles
The brand won both the GT manufacturers’ and drivers’ world titles, as well as both GT classes at Le Mans.
1964
James Bond’s car
The DB5 first appeared in Goldfinger, and it has since returned in many later Bond films.
$6.4 million
Goldfinger DB5 sale
One of the original Bond DB5s sold at auction in 2019.
1982
Royal Warrant
The company has held a Royal Warrant from the current King since 1982.
9
Formula 1 podiums
The modern team has scored nine podiums since 2021, including eight for Fernando Alonso in 2023.
7
Bankruptcies survived
The company has gone bankrupt seven times in its history, yet it has always found new owners.
Aston Martin Racing History
Aston Martin has raced since the 1920s, especially in endurance racing. Its greatest win came at the Circuit de la Sarthe in 1959, and in 2026 its Valkyrie hypercar finished eighth overall there, its best result yet. In addition, the Aston Martin name has returned to Formula 1.
Sports car racing, 1959
DBR1 at Le Mans
Le Mans win World champion
The DBR1 won the 1959 24 Hours of Le Mans with Roy Salvadori and Carroll Shelby, and a second DBR1 finished runner-up. As a result, the team also won the 1959 World Sportscar Championship.
Le Mans and WEC
in GT racing
Class wins 2020 world titles
The DBR9 won the GT1 class at Le Mans in 2007 and 2008. Later, the Vantage won its class in 2014, 2017, 2020 and 2022, while the brand took both WEC GT world titles in 2020.
Formula 1, 2021–today
in Formula 1
9 podiums Honda engines from 2026
The team was created in 2021 from Racing Point. Fernando Alonso scored eight podiums for it in 2023, and since 2026 it has used Honda works engines, although the first season with them has been difficult.
Talk Aston Martin With Other Owners
Aston Martin owners have plenty to share, whether it is a restored DB4 or a new Vantage. Soon, AutoGathering will connect this page to a community space where owners and enthusiasts can compare models, share maintenance tips and plan meetups.
- Classic DB restoration
- V12 and V8 ownership
- James Bond cars
- Maintenance and servicing
- Track days
- Buying used
- Owners clubs and events
- Formula 1 and Le Mans
Aston Martin FAQ
Who owns Aston Martin?
Aston Martin is a public company listed in London. Its largest shareholder is Lawrence Stroll’s Yew Tree consortium, with about a third of the shares in 2025, while Geely, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and Mercedes-Benz hold smaller stakes.
Is Aston Martin British?
Yes. The company was founded in London in 1913, and its cars are still built in Gaydon, England, and St Athan, Wales. However, its shareholders come from several countries.
Where are Aston Martin cars made?
The sports cars and grand tourers are built in Gaydon, Warwickshire, while the DBX SUV is built in St Athan, Wales. Earlier cars were built in Newport Pagnell until 2007.
Which Aston Martins did James Bond drive?
The DB5 is the most famous, first appearing in Goldfinger in 1964 and returning in films such as GoldenEye, Skyfall and No Time to Die. Bond has also driven the DBS, the V8 Vantage Volante, the Vanquish, the DBS V12 and the DB10.
Does Aston Martin make an electric car?
Not yet. The company has delayed its first fully electric car to around 2030, so for now its most electrified model is the Valhalla plug-in hybrid.
Does Aston Martin use Mercedes engines?
Yes. Since a 2013 partnership, Aston Martin’s V8 models use a twin-turbo V8 from Mercedes-AMG, while the Vanquish uses Aston Martin’s own V12.
Has Aston Martin won Le Mans?
Yes. The company won the 24 Hours of Le Mans outright in 1959 with the DBR1, and it has also won its GT class many times since 2007.
Is Aston Martin in Formula 1?
Yes. The Aston Martin team has raced since 2021, with Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll in 2026, and since 2026 it has used Honda engines.
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Photo credits
- Header image: Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- 2024 Aston Martin Vantage in Filderstadt, Germany: Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Aston Martin Vantage Roadster at the Classic-Gala…: Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Aston Martin DB12 Volante convertible in Filderstadt: Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- 2024 Aston Martin Vanquish V12 in Filderstadt: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Aston Martin DBX707 SUV in Filderstadt: Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- 2026 Aston Martin Valhalla plug-in hybrid supercar: MrWalkr, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Aston Martin Valkyrie hypercar prototype at the…: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- 2024 Aston Martin Valour with a manual…: Calreyn88, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- 1960 Aston Martin DB4: Calreyn88, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Aston Martin DB5 used in the James…: DeFacto, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- 1985 Aston Martin V8 Vantage: Calreyn88, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- 1983 Aston Martin Lagonda Series 2 at…: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- 1999 Aston Martin DB7 Vantage: Calreyn88, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- 2011 Aston Martin One-77: MrWalkr, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Aston Martin DBR1, the 1959 Le Mans-winning…: Darren, CC BY 2.0, cropped and resized.
- Aston Martin DBR9 GT1 race car in…: Brian Snelson, CC BY 2.0, cropped and resized.
- Fernando Alonso in the Aston Martin AMR23…: Lukas Raich, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.