Aston Martin has created some stunning cars over the years and the V12 Speedster, which the company revealed at the beginning of March, looks to be another cracking example of the company’s design and engineering skill.

Created by the company’s bespoke customisation service ‘Q by Aston Martin’, the Aston Martin V12 Speedster has gone from drawing board to near production in around a year and just 88 units are due for production.

Utilising Aston Martin’s latest bonded aluminium architecture, the V12 Speedster uses elements from both the DBS Superleggera and Vantage model lines to create its own unique platform. There’s independent double wishbone front; multi-link rear suspension with coil springs and adaptive damping offering Sport, Sport+ and Track modes; and the Speedster also benefits from standard 21-inch forged centre lock alloy wheels. Carbon Ceramic Brakes of 410mm on the front and 360mm at the rear are also standard equipment.

Over the unique chassis is a bespoke body constructed almost entirely from carbon fibre.

The interior uses a mix of traditional and modern materials. There’s structural satin carbon fibre, hand-crafted Saddle Leather, chrome, aluminium and even 3D printed rubber. 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.

The Speedster 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.

Underneath all this brilliant work is Aston Martin’s 5.2-litre, twin-turbo V12 engine, with a peak output of 700hp (522kW) and 753Nm 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. Aston Martin claims the V12 Speedster is able to accelerate to 100km/h in 3.5 seconds on the way to a limited top speed of 300km/h.

“Nothing demonstrates Aston Martin’s commitment to providing unique, special models to its customers more than the V12 Speedster,” said Dr Andy Palmer, Aston Martin Lagonda President and Group CEO. “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 it 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 ($AU1.5 million) including tax. Deliveries are expected to begin in the first quarter of 2021.

Source: Motor Trader e-Magazine (June 2020)

26 May 2020