Carmakers gifting themselves a special edition model on their anniversaries are now a tradition most carmakers follow. And British carmaker Aston Martin is one to follow it religiously, which explains the unveiling of the new DBR22: an open-top V12 roadster concept car devised to mark the tenth anniversary of Q, the brand’s bespoke division.
For the unaware, Aston Martin’s Q division is the nameplate behind some gorgeous low-volume sports cars such as the Victor, the track-monster Vulcan and the Vantage V600 released recently. It seems fitting for the bespoke division to unveil its latest offering at the upcoming Monterey Car Week, one of the most high-profile automobile events. Considering the niche crowd expected to attend the event, the brand is open to fabricating this DBR22 Concept in production reality for select Aston Martin customers.
Regardless of the stunning exteriors of this open-top concept roadster, the DBR22 is essentially a design study to showcase new production techniques adopted to create the car. For instance, minimal body panels were used to create a more sculpted, muscular presence. Aston made use of an aluminium-based 3D printed rear subframe, a first for the brand, to save weight without compromising on stiffness. This method further allows the brand to develop more complex structures for low-volume models.
Flashes of the bespoke treatment from Q can be seen across the car. The car drips of tailored production, starting from the grille upfront with a new carbon fibre design to the unique 14-spoke alloy wheel design created especially for the DBR22. Even the stunning green paint used on the open-top roadster is a bespoke paint colour acquired from the brand’s ‘Paint to Sample’ programme.
The cabin features a blend of “classic and contemporary” design approaches with unique components like leather and exposed carbon fibre materialising the same. The dashboard is an all-new affair comprising a sleek infotainment setup in the middle. Leather has been swathed all over the dashboard, and the doors as the carbon fibre performance seats complete the look. With Q’s existing and extensive customisation palette, customers have a chance to create a one-of-a-kind derivative of this already ultra-exclusive machine
Though when it comes to firepower, think of all those exterior and interior bespoke customisations as a sophisticated suit that hides the all-mighty 5.2-litre V12 twin-turbo powertrain underneath. With peak output figures of 705hp and 753Nm torques, this V12 roadster certainly has the performance to live up to its slippery-yet-stunning attire. The DBR22 can accelerate from nought to 96kph in 3.4secs and provide a whole sensory experience upon the driver’s attempt to attain the 319kph top speed. Aston Martin claims an eight-speed paddle-shift automatic transmission gets mated to the engine with torque shaping to provide “the DBR22 a manner and delivery unlike any other model.”
The DBR22, with its features and production advancements, leads a path that Aston Martin looks to base its upcoming cars on in the future. Marek Reichman, Aston Martin’s Chief Creative Officer, added: “DBR22 is a hot-blooded, purebred Aston Martin sports car full of speed, agility and spirit, and a machine that we think will be the basis of many of tomorrow’s icons”.
My question to Aston is: was there a need of another speedster? I mean, this just looks like another Cash Grab irony machine to me… and the scary thing is that it hasn’t sold out yet
Check tomorrow. It will be sold out.
Like Shivaum pointed out, it certainly will be sold out…moreover, it may be a super expensive machine but it brings new production techniques (always an expensive initial expense) that’ll bring back the beauty of coachbuilding into more of their future cars. And that isn’t a bad thing at all in my eyes