Aston Martin Unveils Updated Online Configurator
Whether it’s as a way to kill time or the first step in realizing your supercar, exotic car, or luxury car dream, online car configurators are a delightful way for any automotive enthusiast to spend time. Manufacturers like Aston Martin have online configurators that are especially entertaining, giving enthusiasts a chance to see what their dream spec of a timeless, elegant British luxury performance machine would look like. With a lineup of new vehicles that includes the new DBX 707 and DBX S, a new Vanquish V12-powered flagship, the DB12, the new Vantage, and more, a comprehensive update to its online configurator makes the experience more captivating than ever.
One of the biggest highlights in the new Aston Martin configurator experience is a richer image quality, helping provide a more immersive configurator experience, greater detail, and a better understanding of what the spec would look like in real life. The configurator also starts with an overview of the Aston Martin lineup, and once a model is selected, statistics are prominently displayed below.
Aston Martin gives its online configurator a serious overhaul.
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New virtual environments, along with enhanced graphical quality allow the confirugator to display a truer expression of paint finishes, as well as a variety of different lighting scenarios during the configuration process. With updates thoroughly improving the online configuration experience, Aston Martin is making it easier than ever for enthusiasts to visualize their dream cars.
Dealer Spotlight: Discover Merit Partners’ Exclusive Selection of Supercars For Sale
in Dealer News
In Atlanta, GA resides a special company called Merit Partners. This dealership focuses on one thing: giving their customers the best car-buying experience possible. Everything they do, from selling cars to their client appreciation track days, revolves around giving their customers the most enjoyable experience possible.
They note on their website: “Unlike dealerships, we have no inventory that biases our advice about which car is best for you. We want to purchase the finest possible automobile for you without bias or compromise that serves your short and long-term interests.” This allows Merit Partners to find the right car and enact a true vetting process that helps them confirm the absolute quality of any car. Once they’ve found the right vehicle, they use their non-public information regarding auction values to negotiate the price of the vehicle on your behalf. If you’ve ever wanted a pain-free experience when it comes to buying your dream car, look no further.
On top of their Grade A car buying experience, they also offer track days and high-performance driving and coaching. The staff at Merit Partners has spent hours and hours on the track in some of the world’s most exotic cars. Instead of keeping this knowledge to themselves, they help their customers hone their own driving skills. After coaching from the Merit Partners staff, you’ll be able to confidently control your exotic car so you can get the most enjoyment possible out of it.
Below is an exclusive selection of cars available from Merit Partners. Check each of them out to get just a small taste of what they’re all about.
View All Merit Partners Inventory
2005 Porsche Carrera GT
Alfa Romeo Tonale Updated For 2026: Drops Hybrid Power, Gains Sharper Handling and Style
in Alfa Romeo
Following a successful run with the Stelvio, when Alfa Romeo introduced the Tonale in 2022, the Italian marque attempted to tap into the lucrative sub-compact crossover SUV segment by offering something sporty, dynamic, and distinctive. Three years on, and the Tonale facelift aims to carry on that vision. The updates for 2026 are subtle but deliberate, and are aimed at giving the small Alfa more of what enthusiasts expect.
Staring upfront, the concave scudetto grille, inspired by the limited-run 33 Stradale supercar, is a clear nod to Alfa’s heritage, making the Tonale appear wider. The overhang has been shortened, and both front and rear tracks are broader, giving it a more purposeful stance. New 20-inch, three-hole wheels on the Sport Speciale trim recall Alfa’s iconic “telephone dial” design, while Brembo calipers in gloss black hint at capability beneath the refreshed styling. New colors include classic shades like Rosso Brera, Verde Monza, and Giallo Ocra.
Inside, the updates lean towards sporty with a new red leather option, now available for the first time, alongside black. The Sport Speciale trim introduces Alcantara-trimmed seats with white stitching. The Dash, door panels, and armrest all carry contrasting stitching to tie everything together. Features like eight-way power front seats with ventilation and heating, and a subtle layer of ambient lighting that lifts the overall cabin.
Mechanically, Alfa made a bold move: they dropped the plug-in hybrid option, aligning with Stellantis’ broader moves to re-evaluate its electrification strategy. The 2026 Tonale now relies solely on a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four cylinder, which produces 268 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, that’s mated to a nine-speed automatic and Q4 all-wheel drive. The Tonale shares its platform with the Dodge Hornet, both of which ride on a transaxle front-wheel drive layout.
Since the target demographic for the Tonale is those looking for a sporty SUV, handling is top priority, and details like a tighter 13.6:1 ratio matter, making the Tonale one of the most responsive SUVs in its class. Dual-mode suspension tuning should give the baby Alfa an edge over more comfort-oriented rivals, keeping it close to the brand’s historic emphasis on driver engagement.
Within the compact luxury crossover segment, the Tonale competes with models like the BMW X1, Audi Q3, and Mercedes-Benz GLA, yet its personality remains more distinct, trading outright practicality for engagement and style. Available across Sprint, Veloce, and Sport Speciale trims, the Tonale is set to arrive in late 2025, with expected pricing between $45,000 and $55,000, positioning it below most of the competition.
