AUTOMOTIVE
Highly tuned rebound and compression of the Bilstein dampers provides composure with noticeably more agility and control . Careful bush selection , stiffer anti roll bars , a 10mm lower ride height , up to 60mm wider track and specific Michelin Pilot Sport tyre compounds assure linearity in roll and composure without resorting to a rock-solid track feel that contemporary GTs often lean towards . Steering feel , aided by the fitting of a more slender wheel rim , lower seating position and the suspension improvements , is sharper with more feedback to reward the enthusiast driver . The overall result is a more versatile GT eminently suitable for everyday use .
“ After a year of piling on the miles in our development prototype , I ’ m confident we ’ ve hit the targets we set ourselves of a very responsive but supple car ,” says head of engineering at R-Reforged , Adam Donfrancesco . “ There was a perception that much of what we planned was aesthetic but the way the car drives , feels , goes , stops and sounds is actually where a lot of our efforts have been focused . We ’ ve defined a set up that finesses the composed , big Aston Martin GT feel but sharpens and hones it in line the progress that new tyres , suspension and knowledge brings . It ’ s got to be a car you want to use and be adaptable ; laid back and comfortable enough to soak up a 300-mile trip across Europe but equally engaging and rewarding on a 20-minute run to meet friends at an informal cars and coffee meet . That versatility and accessible performance is something many contemporary GTs lack . We have all missed the chance to just go for a drive for pleasure in the past few months . This is now the car to make the most of those precious times .”
“ The designers , engineers and craftspeople have poured all their energy into breathing new life into the car , pushing the boundaries of every detail : flawless surface finishes , tight shutlines and a crafted interior I believe you ’ ll enjoy spending time in ,” says Ian Callum . “ I ’ m particularly impressed with how it drives . From the lower , more sculpted and cossetting seat , the crisper steering with enhanced feel to just the glorious way it sounds , I think we have created something quite special .”
R-Reforged has now also revealed the underbonnet revisions . Often overlooked , its engineers have detailed the area with carbon and leather dressing alongside the bespoke carbon intake system and tuned equal length stainless steel primary collectors that create a sonorous V12 howl from the 580bhp engine .
Alongside the reveal of the production specification car , now available for prospective customers to experience , R-Reforged confirmed it is building the first batch in September with initial cars destined for Europe and Latin America .
“ Too often design studies are revealed only for them to disappear , or for deliveries to end up being years later , leaving customers disillusioned about the viability of coachbuilding such cars ,” adds Callum . “ With partner R-Reforged , we have delivered on our promise with the first cars in build in September . It ’ s been an unpredictable time for the entire world but it ’ s now an exciting moment as the refreshed cars come to life in our workshops .”
www . r-reforged . com
Highlighting the multitude of options clients can specify during sessions with Ian Callum – either remotely or at the Warwick facility where the car is assembled – the Aston Martin CALLUM Vanquish 25 by R-Reforged is offered with an infinite number of body and eight trim colours , three transmission variants – manual , auto and semi-automatic – as well as three bespoke 20 ” wheel choices . The car ’ s sumptuous leather trim is provided by Bridge of Weir Leather Company , while Bremont ’ s removable pocket watch , an industry-first , remains prominent in the interior that now includes brushed or polished dark chrome details , and a walnut veneer option instead of carbon . Mulberry has developed the luggage to fit snugly in the rear of the cabin .
Issue 45 2020 The Art of Luxury
95