Aston Martin V12 Speedster production confirmed
88 examples of the DBR1-inspired roadster will be made, each priced at an anticipated £800k
Four months after its buyers were provided with a rumoured private showing, Aston Martin has confirmed that it is producing a run of V12 Speedsters in homage to its iconic DBR1 Le Mans winner. The upcoming open-top model, illustrated only by a sketch, is set to cost around £800k and be limited to just 88 examples – making it almost half the price and four times as rare as McLaren’s recently revealedElva.
The two-seater, which also takes inspiration from the 2013 CC100 concept Aston produced to celebrate its centenary, will be powered by the company’s 5.2-litre twin-turbocharged V12, sending 700hp and 516lb ft of torque to the rear wheels. That gives the Speedster 61hp more than the DB11 AMR delivered alongside identical twist, all transmitted through an ZF eight-speed automatic, as there’s no mention of a three-pedal version. Boo.
While the other recently announced open-top supercar, the Elva, is honed to provide outright performance and lightness, the Speedster looks more intent on providing character by the bucketload. The engine’s vocals are said to be tuned to suit an “invigorating driving experience”, while the exterior lines suggest a sleeker take on the current Aston silhouette, with no mention of an Elva-aping active air management system. Of all the high-powered hair dryers out there, we suspect this will have much in common with Ferrari’s V12-engined Monza SP2 - the car which arguably kicked off this extremely exclusive niche.
Although Aston has withheld further technical details for now, it’s expected that the Speedster’s underpinnings will be technically similar to the DB11 for V12-related reasons. Indeed, Aston said in its announcement that the car’s “forward-looking features are shaped from the same advanced materials and expert engineering used throughout Aston Martin’s contemporary sports car range”. So it’s fair to assume the firm’s aluminium architecture is under the car’s skin, presumably with much the same strengthening that was deployed in the V8-only DB11 Volante.
“The V12 Speedster we’re proud to confirm today once again showcases not only this great British brand’s ambition and ingenuity, but also celebrates our rich and unrivalled heritage,” said Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer. “The 88 enthusiast drivers and collectors who secure the keys to these cars can be confident that in doing so, they are also securing an iconic new piece of Aston Martin history.”
For everyone else, we’ll have to make do with the sketch until the car is finally revealed to the public, possibly at the Geneva motor show in March. If you have the appropriate bank balance to secure a build slot, however, orders are being taken now, so we'd imagine you'll be treated to a sneak peak under the cover. Either way, Aston expects the first finished customer cars to be delivered at the start of 2021.
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