Wednesday 25th February 2015

Aston Martin Vulcan - official!

You wait ages for one track focused Aston... First details and pics of 800hp Vulcan ahead of Geneva

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Geneva is always a motor show swarming with exotic new cars and 2015 will be no different. Alongside its own Vantage GT3 and a glut of other super/hyper/megacars, Aston will display the Vulcan to the world. Might be quite a busy stand that one...

Anyone else see Caterham AeroSeven?

There isn't a full technical specification as yet but those details that have been announced are fairly extraordinary. The trusty V12 is now at 7.0-litres and makes over 800hp, with power transmitted to the road through a Xtrac six-speed sequential. Multimatic is responsible for the all carbon construction as well as the Dynamic Suspension Spool Valve adjustable dampers. Carbon ceramic brakes and Michelin race-spec tyres are also included in a very serious mechanical spec.

So serious, in fact, that the Vulcan complies with all relevant FIA race safety requirements. Even though it won't race. But owners will get the full motorsport experience with Aston's "extensive and detailed programme of intensive track driver training." Involvement from Aston Martin Racing will see customers learn their track craft through simulator training and circuit time with road and race Astons. Those events will begin in 2016.

'Extreme performance' promised - no kidding!

Now obviously, this wouldn't be an Aston story without some comment on styling. The Vulcan has been designed entirely in-house by Marek Reichman, said to hint at the next generation of Aston sports cars. There are certainly hints of the DB10 here so perhaps something less extreme will be on the road sooner than we think.

For now there's not an awful lot more to add about the Vulcan. We're promised performance data and further technical details closer to a track debut later in 2015 but with something additional surely due at Geneva. As for sales, the Vulcan will be available through Aston's VIP programme with 'infinitely flexible' colour and trim options. Looks pretty good just like this actually! 24 will be built in recognition of the brand's efforts in 24-hour racing at Le Mans, Spa and elsewhere and the price will £1.5m, plus local taxes. Offshore account holders best stop by that Geneva branch en route to the show...

 

[HeMightBeBanned]

Umm. Wow! What an amazing looking thing with a spec to match.

Autocar are reporting a £1.8M pricetag and extensive customisation available per car, with single vehicle approval being an option because key elements like lights, wipers and handbrake are all SVA friendly from the off.

Are the likes of this, the P1GTR and the Ferrari FXX K (name needs a few more random letters in it) the modern embodiment of coach-built cars that only the mega wealthy can access?

[unsprung]

Wot? Left-hand drive?!

[Monty Python]

unsprung said:

Wot? Left-hand drive?!

If you're on a track it doesn't really matter which side you sit.

[DonkeyApple]

Seems like an extremely enjoyable way to spend £1.5m

I really hope this soft launch of the new styling works for AM as breaking away from something they got so phenomenally right and still looks so fresh and great 15 years on is bloody difficult.

[rodericb]

I love the attention to detail - it even has the pointy ears of a Vulcan.

[6th Gear]

The side profile reminds me of the current Corvette.

[graeme4130]

Monty Python said:

unsprung said:

Wot? Left-hand drive?!

If you're on a track it doesn't really matter which side you sit.

Given that most tracks run clockwise, having RHD would be an advantage

[MG511]

Looks like it was drawn by a 13 year old, just dreadful. And it needs a bigger wing....

[redroadster]

For a car designed solely for the track I would have thought they could have had styled it far better put more effort in to making it look much more special,should sound fab though.

[subirg]

Having SVA lights is a bit pointless for a track only machine. What a complete waste of time and money.

[Schnellmann]

I think James Bond would choke on his martini if he saw that monstrosity.

[LordGrover]

Oh very dear.

[daveco]

Wow, that's a very dark room

[HarryFlatters]

rodericb said:

I love the attention to detail - it even has the pointy ears of a Vulcan.

The colour is wrong, green is the colour of Klingon Birds of Prey. Vulcan cruisers are normally blue.

[Monty Python]

graeme4130 said:

Given that most tracks run clockwise, having RHD would be an advantage

Unfortunately most of the world drives on the wrong side, so the base cars more often start out as LHD.

[ILoveMondeo]

Bit of a departure from the norm for AM, not sure about the Knight Rider wheel!

Are those real pictures or a render? Can't tell on my phone.

Bonkers car and I'm sure they'll have them all sold by this time next week.

[dukebox9reg]

6th Gear said:

The side profile reminds me of the current Corvette.

Yeah Corvette by Zagato.

[scubadude]

Slightly surprised by the negative reaction- I think it looks rather awesome in a Lamborghini special kind of way.

Also "Aston Martin Front-mid 7ltr V12 with 800bhp" frankly it could look like a turd and it wouldn't matter- it'll sound like God gargling galaxies :-)

[muppet42]

I think it looks absolutely brilliant and naming it after this...



...is just the icing on the cake

Opinions are something everyone has but I really honestly wonder what the heck have all the naysayers been drinking to think otherwise?

[DonkeyApple]

scubadude said:

Front-mid 7ltr V12 with 800bhp

Random thought of the morning: Interestingly, the same spec as the Speed 12 TVR about 16 years ago.