Aston Martin Vulcan (almost) revealed

Track-only limited run Aston Martin Vulcan confirmed for Geneva [UPDATED WITH NEW VID AND PICS]

Drip-fed teaser info seems to be this year's thing ahead of Geneva, with no self-respecting supercar/hypercar/track-only special able to launch without at least half a dozen video clips or similar flashes of ankle ahead of the big day. Through gritted teeth we'll play ball though, Aston Martin piquing our attention for its track-only Vulcan by virtue of a) it having a really cool name and b) side exhausts via which suitably scary noise and flames erupt. The latter is, at least, one thing we can confirm from this second teaser vid. That and a suitably outrageous wing, bigger even than the one on the roadgoing Vantage GT3 also debuting at Geneva.

Vulcan or not, there is a market for hardcore Astons

We're promised the full intel before the car actually takes to the stage at Geneva but in the meantime have been left wondering have we actually already seen it in action? See, joining us on track at Silverstone before Christmas was this spectacularly sinister Aston Martin track car. Well-off privateers buying GT3-spec racers as extravagant track day toys aren't unheard of. And, comparing the pictures with those on Aston Martin Racing's homepage, we'd say this looks like a Vantage GT3 racer. The same site even lists cars for sale, should you wish to buy one off the peg. So it's not impossible this was a privately owned car out for a blast.

But thinking back the crew attending to it looked suspiciously professional and its pace around Silverstone - even in these conditions - suggested whomever was driving it knew what they were about. Which isn't to say folk who buy GT3 cars as track toys can't drive. But taking a car like that out on a public track day rather than a private test session or similar suggests either commendable determination or - just possibly - someone in need of racking up some test miles whatever the weather.

Whether it was the Vulcan or not, it suggests there is at least a market for super high-end, track-spec Aston Martins and people out there willing to drive them properly. Meaning finding homes for the maximum of 30 cars due to be built shouldn't be too difficult a job. More to follow next week...

Video here.

Track photo: Anthony Fraser

Original story here:

Forget black swans, Aston Martin has chosen to preview another Geneva debut with little more than a black screen. In a curious email accompanying a link to this video we were told "there are no 'official' details on the car to support the video, however you could speculate on what it might be using the following..."

Is it still speculation if you're reporting what was offered up in an email from the manufacturer? Not sure, but the bullet-pointed info comprised the name Aston Martin Vulcan, says it will be a "track-only supercar", the most extreme vehicle in the firm's history, limited to fewer than 30 examples and inspired by Aston Martin's motorsport programmes. It's said to include a "unique 'experience programme'" too, which we'd guess alludes to a Ferrari FXX or McLaren P1 GTR style driver training programme to bring you up to a standard where you can appreciate the car's abilities.

So that's yet another super/hyper/track car launch to add to an already dizzying array of PH-worthy metal at Geneva, including Aston's own road-legal GT3 Vantage, the McLaren P1 GTR and 675LT, Porsche's 911 GT3 RS and Cayman GT4 and more besides. Looks like we've got a busy few weeks ahead...

More when we have it.

Video here (don't get your hopes up)

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blearyeyedboy

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