What's the news?
Following on from the outrageous teaser video of last week, Aston Martin has now revealed how its extreme Vulcan track-only supercar will look when the covers come off at the Geneva Motor Show next week. A few choice technical details have also been released, to keep us guessing.
Exterior
Those expecting another take on the current Aston Martin design language may be a little surprised at the new Vulcan, as it's a very different looking beast. It was designed in-house by Marek Reichman, the company's Chief Creative Officer, and his team, and we do wonder if it hints at the next era in Aston Martin design. In spite of a rather senior looking (and exquisite) carbon fibre aerodynamic package, the lithe, relatively simple lines of the car underneath shine through.
Up front, the traditional Aston Martin grille is much wider than usual, and is incorporated in the low splitter so it's less obvious. Above it are impossibly slender LED headlights, ahead of a massive air outlet. That motorsport look is augmented by the single, vertically mounted wiper and tiny door mirrors. The dark glasshouse helps simplify the side profile, but massive brakes can be seen through the 19-inch wheels (Brembo racing calipers acting on carbon ceramic racing discs that measure 380mm in diameter at the front and 360mm at the rear) and though visually 'hidden' by its dark carbon finish, the back wing is huge. It dominates the rear view of the Vulcan, in conjunction with a bumper and diffuser that seal the race track refugee image. Nonetheless, it's worth taking in the complex LED rear lights too, as we suspect there's a whole story behind them - and they're something we expect to see on regular production Astons in the future.
Interior
Aston Martin doesn't say anything about the Vulcan's interior in its pre-Geneva release, but a couple of images were provided and they make interesting viewing. Despite the integrated roll cage, the Vulcan's cabin appears spacious for the driver and one unsuspecting passenger. Naturally, there's lots of carbon fibre and, intriguingly, some concept car like switchgear and instrumentation. The tiny steering wheel incorporates loads of controls as well and nothing appears to be shared with any current Aston Martin.
Mechanicals
Full technical details will be released at a later date, but Aston did feed us a few tantalising morsels of information. We know, for instance, that there's a 7.0-litre, naturally aspirated V12 petrol engine producing about 800hp 'front-mid' mounted, driving the rear wheels through an Xtrac six-speed sequential shift transmission. That's located at the rear axle and joined to the engine by a magnesium torque tube and a carbon fibre propeller shaft. Naturally there's a limited slip differential fitted to help with getting all that power to the track.
Michelin race specification tyres will help as well, while the pushrod suspension uses advanced Dynamic Suspension Spool Valve (DSSV) adjustable dampers by Multimatic. Drivers will also be able to adjust the anti-lock braking and traction control systems to their skill levels and the track conditions.
Anything else?
In case we haven't made it clear, the Aston Vulcan has been designed for track use only. It comes with an intensive driver training package, including access to professional race driver simulators and one-on-one tuition from the likes of Darren Turner and other experienced racers. Yet despite all that, reading between the lines of Aston's paperwork, it sounds like the car has been developed to adapt to the driver's skill level.
Not that it will be for all... Aston Martin will make just 24 examples of the Vulcan (to tie in with its experience at the 24-hour races at the Nürburgring and Le Mans) and each one will cost a cool €2 million or so before taxes. Let the video below take your mind off that.
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