The ever-popular event at St Moritz in Switzerland was attended by 200 guests this year. Showcasing the electronic safety system of the Aston Martin, the event offered the chance to test out the full range of models—the Vanquish, Rapide, Vantage, Vantage S, DB9, DB9 Volante and V12 Roadster— on ice and snow.

THE BIG FIVE

Aston Martin’s “The Big Five” is a series of events for owners and their friends and family to drive their cars around some of Europe’s most famous racetracks, enjoying the ultimate experience of excitement, passion and speed. Each event has been designed for enthusiasts to experience the dynamic capabilities of their Aston Martin in an exclusive, controlled and safe environment. The first of the 2013/14 series took place at the Nürburgring from 6-7 May. Look out for the remaining four, detailed below.

15-16 June—Boxberg

In Germany’s beautiful south, Boxberg offers the rare opportunity to test your agility and driving skills on this perfectly designed parcours.

9-10 September—Spa Francorchamps

A true heavyweight among the world’s best racetracks—rich in history, legends and dreams.

6-7 October—Red Bull Ring

Austria’s Red Bull Ring was redeveloped in 2011 and is now one of the safest racetracks in Europe.

February 2014— St Moritz & Lapland

Aston Martin on Ice takes us to the “top of the world” and the Swiss resort of St Moritz (1,856m), where our designated ice-driving area awaits you, as well as testing your driving skills in Lapland in Sweden. For details, visit www.astonmartinonice.com

GENEVA INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOW

Aston Martin celebrated a century of automotive achievement at the 83rd Geneva International Motor Show in March with cars both from its illustrious past and its exciting future. Pride of place was reserved for the latest luxurious addition to the now fully replaced or refreshed sports car range—the forthcoming Rapide S.

Elsewhere on the stand at Geneva, Aston Martin’s ultimate Super GT, the new Vanquish, showcased a painstakingly created Centenary Edition specification that is available worldwide on only 100 examples of each of the car maker’s model lines: Vantage, DB9, Vanquish and Rapide S. Also on display to commemorate the Centenary year was one of the most legendary cars created—the Aston Martin DBR1/1. Celebrated around the world, the car won the gruelling 1000km of Nürburgring in 1959 piloted by Stirling Moss and Jack Brabham.

Ahead of the show in Switzerland, Dr Ulrich Bez, CEO of Aston Martin, said: “2013 is a celebration of the Aston Martin brand and its achievement as being seen as ‘Best of British’.” At the end of the press conference, a special birthday cake was produced, resplendent with Aston Martin’s Centenary logo, which Dr Bez shared with the media after blowing out the candles.