The Gentleman Magazine Issue 20 | April 2020 | Page 44
The light, low, rear end contrasts with the bold, enlarged grille,
unique headlights and bonnet nostril at the front. The bonnet
nostril we haven’t done in a very long time, but we’ve brought
them back. It’s a neat trick visually to allow us to win some
space for the V12. It creates this iconic looking vent.”
The interior specification pushes new boundaries, using a mix
of traditional and modern materials. Structural satin carbon
fibre, 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 glove box,
while there’s additional storage space under the rear bumps for
luggage.
Unveiled here today at Aston Martin’s Gaydon HQ, the V12
Speedster has been shown in a conceptual specification that
is inspired by the legendary F/A-18 and will be available for
customers to order. Born from an exciting new collaboration
with Boeing and created by the brand’s bespoke customisation
service ‘Q by Aston Martin’, this striking livery takes the
legendary fighter jet for inspiration and is finished in Skyfall
Silver, with contrasting satin black on the exhaust tips, vent
grilles and vanes. 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
for this conceptual styling.
Powering the V12 Speedster is Aston Martin’s scintillating
5.2-litre, Twin-Turbo V12 engine, with a peak output of
700hp1 and 753Nm1 of torque. 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. The V12 Speedster is able to accelerate to
62mph (100km/h) in 3.5 seconds on the way to a limited top
speed of 186mph (300km/h)1.
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The iconic V12 engine promises scintillating performance, but
further underlining the V12 Speedster’s abundant character
and unparalleled commitment to a thrilling drive is an even
more invigorating aural signature. To create this Aston Martin’s
engineers have created a bespoke stainless-steel exhaust system
exiting centrally into the diffuser surface at the rear of the
car for an even more rousing, characterful sound from the
drivetrain. With the V12 Speedster, every element of the drive
is experiential, most obviously the removal of the windscreen
adding to the visceral engagement, heightening the driving
experience to new levels.
Matt Becker, Aston Martin Chief Engineer, said: “for raw,
driving thrills the V12 Speedster is unparalleled, the fully open
element of the car adding a new dimension to the experience.
It engages on every level, delivering a precise, involving driving
experience, with agility and poise backed by abundant power
from Aston Martin’s twin-turbo 5.2-litre V12. Driving doesn’t
get any purer than this.
Aston Martin Lagonda President and Group CEO, Dr
Andy Palmer said: “nothing demonstrates Aston Martin’s
commitment to providing unique, special models to its
customers more than the V12 Speedster. The 88 hand-built cars
will be sought after by driving enthusiasts and collectors alike
all around the world. I’m excited not just about what they offer
drivers, but of what it represents. The V12 Speedster not just
showcases our incredible engineering capability and ambition,
but also celebrating Aston Martin’s rich heritage.”
Orders are now being taken for the V12 Speedster, with pricing
starting at £765,000 including VAT and deliveries expected to
begin in the first quarter of 2021.
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