The Aston Martin V12 Speedster, open, uncompromising, visceral, two-seater.
The Aston Martin V12 Speedster has made its global debut, with only 88 pieces to leave the factory. This puristic limited-edition model, created by luxury British marque’s bespoke customization service ‘Q by Aston Martin’, the Aston Martin V12 Speedster is a truly visceral driver’s car that draws inspiration from both the brand’s rich racing history. The example is showcased in a conceptual F/A-18 livery, conceived a little over 12 months ago, the V12 Speedster has undergone an intensive development program, going from drawing board to production within one year. Demonstrating the skills and meticulous planning of ‘Q by Aston Martin’ and Aston Martin Design, the V12 Speedster is a living show car, underlining the company’s commitment to delivering customers a stunning driver’s car, using the engineering ingenuity and advanced materials evident throughout the entire Aston Martin range.
Aston Martin Lagonda President and Group CEO, Dr. Andy Palmer said: “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.”
Utilizing Aston Martin’s latest bonded aluminum architecture, the V12 Speedster utilizes 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 center-lock alloy wheels. Carbon Ceramic Brakes of 410mm on the front axle and 360mm at the rear are also standard equipment.
Based on the V12 Speedster’s unique chassis is a bespoke body constructed mainly from carbon fiber. Miles Nurnberger, Director of Design, Aston Martin Lagonda, said: “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 a 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.”
Nurnberger adds: “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. Bonnet nostrils 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 fiber contrasts with traditional hand-crafted Saddle Leather, chrome, aluminum, 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 customization 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 aluminum, 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-liter, Twin-Turbo V12 engine, with a peak output of 700hp 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. 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). 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-liter 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 about what it represents. The V12 Speedster not just showcases our incredible engineering capability and ambition, but also celebrates Aston Martin’s rich heritage.”
