Limited to just 88 units with deliveries in Q1 2021, the Aston Martin V12 Speedster is a truly visceral driver’s car.
There are Aston Martins, and then there are the Aston Martins produced by the marque’s customisation service, Q by Aston Martin, a cheeky nod to the auto brand’s affiliation with the James Bond franchise. While the British manufacturer produces stunning production cars, the limited-edition releases of the Q branch are the stuff of childhood bedroom posters and billionaire shopping sprees. The latest release, the Aston Martin V12 Speedster, is a puristic limited-edition model set to hit the road in early 2021.
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Drawing on the brand’s rich racing and aeronautical heritages (you can opt to take your Speedster home in F/A-18 livery for example), the new V12 Speedster is an incredible two-seat sports car aimed at the marque’s most demanding and enthusiastic customers. Lucky bastards!
Conceived a little over 12 months ago, the V12 Speedster has undergone an intensive development programme, going from drawing board to production reality within that short period. Utilising Aston Martin’s latest bonded aluminium architecture, the Speedster utilises elements from both the DBS Superleggera and Vantage model lines to create its own unique platform.
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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 centre lock alloy wheels. Carbon Ceramic Brakes of 410mm on the front axle and 360mm at the rear are also standard equipment, naturally.
Over the V12 Speedster’s unique chassis is a bespoke body constructed almost entirely from carbon fibre. There’s clear lineage from the 1959 Le Mans-winning DBR1 to Aston Martin’s Centenary celebratory CC100 Speedster Concept from 2013, with a little 1953 DB3S and lines taken from contemporary fighter jets thrown in for good measure.
Expect a big engine, low, 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, a design element that’s been brought back to help accommodate the V12 engine.
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Powering the V12 Speedster is Aston Martin’s scintillating 5.2-litre, 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 100km/h in 3.5 seconds, so basically an F/A-18 hornet for the road.
Within, you’ll find an interior boasting a mix of traditional and modern materials, from Structural satin carbon fibre to 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.
So, it’s ok to cry when you finally see one tearing down the street.
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