Remember all those old Sci-Fi movies that showed us what flying cars might look like? We do, which is the why the Aston Martin Vulcan is looking a little familiar.
It might be the slightly domed roof, or the fact that it looks as if it’s going to go so fast it will have to take off, but this car definitely looks a bit futuristic. And fun – lots of fun.
The Vulcan is inspired by the RAF aeroplane of the same name, which was formerly based at the marque’s Gaydon headquarters, and has now finally been revealed to an expectant public. Not only is it strictly limited-edition, with only 24 being created, but it’s also the firm’s first true hypercar.
Under the bonnet is a 7 litre V12: the world’s most powerful naturally-aspirated production engine that’s been developed by Aston Martin Racing. It produces more than 800BHP and we eagerly await the full performance statistics, which will be released nearer to the car’s track debut.
The car is rear wheel drive and gets there through an Xtrac six-speed sequential transmission. The Aston Martin Vulcan is 150kg lighter than its predecessor, the One-77, and underpinned by a carbon fibre monocoque.
The suspension is comprised of a pushrod system with adjustable dampers and adjustable sway bars, while the car also features an FIA-approved roll cage, integral limited-slip differential, magnesium torque tube with carbon fibre propeller shaft and Brembo racing callipers acting on carbon ceramic racing disc brakes which measure 380mm in diameter at the front and 360mm at the rear. Drive is channelled to the 345/30 x19 rear wheels and Michelin race specification tyres.
The car was styled by an entirely in-house team and its aggressive new look, with new body panels, a small front grille and much-enhanced sporty rear end hint towards the design future of the marque.
Discussing the car, Aston Martin Design Chief Marek Reichman said, “This is clearly a very powerful car. The beauty is there to see. This is a track car but one done with perfect proportions and surfacing in mind, all natural and created from form and shape in our typical way. The soul comes from the team. We’ve got our best engineers and designers on this car. It’s the sort of car a designer gets up in the morning for.”
Those who manage to get their hands on one of these cars through the Aston Martin VIP sales programme will be in for a treat: everyone will be offered an extensive programme of track driver training, featuring instructors like Le Mans-winning Darren Turner, before they get their hands on a Vulcan.
We’ll bring you more news, including those performance statistics, when we find it!
