Tuesday 6th March 2018

DBA Silverstone Speedback: Geneva 2018

Just 10 of the more expensive, faster GTs will be made

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Well if it ain't broke then don't fix it, right? That appears to be the mentality of David Brown Automotive, which has taken the Speedback GT and made it into this: the Speedback GT Silverstone Edition.

While familiar to look at when compared with the 2014 model, there are some key differences that mark out the Silverstone. Note for example the deletion of the bumpers, the new wheels, altered spoilers and revised lights that give this car a slightly sportier look. This means the car is aimed at a different kind of buyer, says David Brown, the Silverstone created for a younger audience than the original GT.

Underneath, the car is still based on the old Jaguar XKR, but with power now up to 610hp. Autocar suggests that the Silverstone has a "sportier" suspension tune to cope with that output and increase its appeal to enthusiasts, but we don't know any specific details as yet.

What we do know right now, though, is a price: £744,000, or £120,000 more than the original Speedback GT. As mentioned just 10 will be produced, with first deliveries expected before the end of the year. Will the "outstanding performance credentials" promised by DBA be enough to tempt customers into a Silverstone GT? We'll find out soon.

[Macboy]

So now it's the bd lovechild of an 60's Aston and 60's Ferrari. Well done.

[Macboy]

Diverandy said:

This thing looks like really poor DB5 kit, car based on a Ford Scorpio. Horrendous.

And from the shutlines and quality of the one I saw in the metal, similarly built.

[Macboy]

Zod said:

[
It's so big and heavy, you wonder whether they didn't just build it around an XK8 without even removing the body panels.

:-)

[Macboy]

myhandle said:

the original Speedback seemed to be, from casual observance, rather more like a (beautifully finished) Ford GT40 replica.]

Well you saw a different Speedback to the one I saw then. Beautifully finished it was not. The shut lines were inexcusable, big enough to be visible from space and all over the place in terms of consistent size. So much of the interior looked parts-bin and cobbled together. I dislike everything about this car, DB Automotive and the smugness that has created it.

ETA: And the treadplate typo just about sums up the attention to detail that DBA appear to bring to their projects.

Edited by Macboy on Thursday 8th March 13:53