'Puristic' and 'visceral' Aston Martin V12 Speedster is a 'living show car'

MANILA: Aston Martin calls it "puristic" and "visceral" but judging by the looks of it, it’s more than that. Created by the brand’s bespoke customization service Q, the V12 Speedster is a living show car that draws inspiration from both the brand’s rich racing history and aeronautical design. Today’s example is showcased in a conceptual F/A-18 livery.

Borrowing elements from the DBS Superleggera and Vantage, its unique chassis made almost entirely of carbon fiber combines an 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 center lock alloy wheels, and 410mm carbon ceramic brakes on the front axle and 360mm at the rear.

“With the V12 Speedster, we do go back a step and look into our past for inspiration. Since the DB11 launch, everything has been focused and very forward looking. Here though, we find a different tempo. There’s clear lineage from the 1959 Le Mans winning DBR1 to our Centenary celebratory CC100 Speedster Concept in 2013. There is also a bit of 1953 DB3S in the mid-section, so it really is our latest incarnation of the Speedster concept. It’s also inspired by fighter jets as much as it is by our history, and it has been created to deliver an incredibly visceral experience, hence why it is a V12, rather than a V8. With the V12 Speedster we are amplifying all the emotional strings that we can to the absolute maximum. 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. 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,” said director of design for Aston Martin Lagonda Miles Nurnberger.

The cabin uses a mix of traditional and modern materials like structural satin carbon fiber blended with traditional hand-crafted saddle leather, chrome, aluminum, and even 3D printed rubber.

In front of the passenger seat is a removable leather bag in lieu of a conventional glove box, and there’s additional storage space under the rear bumps for luggage.

Powering the V12 Speedster is a mid-mounted, all alloy, quad cam 48-valve 5.2-liter twin-turbo V12 engine that sends 700hp and 753Nm of torque to a ZF 8-speed automatic transmission that hurls the vehicle forward from zero to 100 kph in just 3.5 seconds all the way to a top speed of 300kph.

The exhaust system is made of stainless steel, connected centrally to a diffuser surface at the rear of the vehicle, which allows it to create a very unique and rousing sound.

“It makes me enormously proud to reveal Aston Martin’s latest, most exciting special model today. 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. 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,” said Aston Martin Lagonda president and group CEO Dr Andy Palmer.

Also read: Aston Martin to produce 88 units of the V12 Speedster