Conceived a little over 12 months ago, the Aston Martin V12 Speedster has undergone an intensive development programme, going from drawing board to production reality within that short period. Demonstrating the skills and meticulous planning of ‘Q by Aston Martin’ and Aston Martin Design, the V12 Speedster is a living showcar, using engineering ingenuity and advanced materials.
Denied of a global debut at the Geneva International Motor Show which was cancelled at the last minute, Aston Martin nevertheless went ahead with an announcement of the car’s debut at its UK headquarters.
“It makes me enormously proud to reveal Aston Martin’s latest, most exciting special model. The V12 Speedster is an incredible demonstration of the breadth of capability and determination from the ‘Q by Aston Martin’ team, who have worked tirelessly to create this stunning, two-seat sports car aimed at our most demanding and enthusiastic customers,” said Aston Martin Lagonda President & Group CEO, Dr. Andy Palmer.
Inspiration from a jet fighter
The V12 Speedster draws inspiration from both the brand’s rich racing history and aeronautical design. The debut model, for example, has a conceptual F/A-18 Super Hornet jet fighter livery which will be available to customers. Born from an exciting new collaboration with Boeing and created by the brand’s bespoke customisation service, this striking car is finished in Skyfall Silver, with contrasting satin black on the exhaust tips, vent grilles and vanes.
Utilising Aston Martin’s latest bonded aluminium architecture, the V12 Speedster incorporates elements from both the DBS Superleggera and Vantage model lines to create its own unique platform. With independent double wishbone front, and multi-link rear suspension with coil springs and adaptive damping offering Sport, Sport+ and Track modes, the V12 Speedster also benefits from standard 21-inch forged centre lock alloy wheels. Carbon Ceramic Brakes of 410 mm diameter on the front axle and 360 mm at the rear are also standard equipment.
Over the V12 Speedster’s unique chassis is a bespoke body constructed almost entirely from carbonfibre. No roof or screen, a big engine, low, with broad shoulders and exaggerated and emotional styling with twin humps and the spine separating the driver and passenger. The light, low, rear end contrasts with the bold, enlarged grille, unique headlights and bonnet nostril at the front.
2-seat interior with purposeful look
The dark theme is carried through to the interior, with satin dark chrome, machined aluminium, black leather, black technical textile, black carpets and vivid red Aston Martin scripted door pulls, creating a purposeful look.
The interior specification pushes new boundaries, using a mix of traditional and modern materials. Structural satin carbonfibre contrasts with traditional hand-crafted Saddle Leather, chrome, aluminium and even 3D-printed rubber.
Visually and physically, the interior reduces mass, for a leaner, efficient style but one that retains all the emotion and craftsmanship Aston Martins are renowned for. In front of the passenger is a removable leather bag in place of a traditional glovebox, while there’s additional storage space under the rear bumps for luggage.
3.5 seconds to get to 100 km/h
Powering the V12 Speedster is Aston Martin’s 5.2-litre, Twin-Turbo V12 engine with peak output of 700 bhp/753 Nm. Front mid-mounted, the all-alloy, quad-cam 48-valve engine is mated to a ZF 8-speed automatic transmission with a limited-slip differential driving the rear wheels. Aston Martin says the V12 Speedster can accelerate to 100 km/h from standstill in 3.5 seconds. After that, it can continue to a top speed of over 300 km/h but is electronically limited to that maximum speed, which is about the speed at which the F/A-18 starts to leave the ground.
Orders are now being taken for the 88 units that will be built, with prices starting at £765,000 (about RM4.15 million). The first customers are expected to have the V12 Speedster in their driveway during the first quarter of 2021.
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