David Brown Speedback GT Silverstone Edition

David Brown Speedback GT Silverstone Edition teased ahead of unveiling at Geneva.

What's the news?

Here's a pub-quiz fact- the "DB" name used by classic Aston Martins like the DB4 and DB6 stands for "David Brown", who was the company's owner from 1947 until 1972 in addition to being a well-known tractor manufacturer.

The David Brown Speedback GT however, despite bearing an uncanny resemblance to the 1960s Aston Martin DB5, is in no way connected to Aston's David Brown, instead being named, coincidentally, after the company's founder, another Yorkshire industrialist by the same name.

We first saw the Jaguar XK-R-based Speedback GT, David Brown Automotive's first car, back in 2014, a modern, handbuilt reworking of a classic grand-tourer. The company has gone on to produce another model, the Mini Remastered, an updated version of the classic Mini which retails at about €85,000 without extras.

To celebrate the company factory's move to Silverstone last year, the latest special version of the Speedback GT is to be christened the Silverstone Edition and will feature a few aeronautical and motorsport-themed nods to the company's new location.

Inside, the tan leather seats will be embroidered with detailing in the shape of the Silverstone racing circuit, criss-crossed with lines representing runways in recognition of the circuit's former life as a World War II airfield. Production of the seats also involves "broguing", an intricate leatherworking technique involving a pattern of punch-holes, rarely found in cars.

The exterior is slightly more aggressive than the standard Speedback GT with full LED lighting and dark ceramic and brushed chrome headlamp surrounds and a few little additional details like the monotone bonnet badge and side strakes featuring "Silverstone Edition" logos.

According to the company founder and CEO, David Brown: "Not only have we shaped the car to be visually striking, the sporting visual appeal of the car is boosted by the car's outstanding performance credentials. Speedback Silverstone Edition is true to form, delivering over 600 horsepower, and we can't wait to reveal all in Geneva."

Though full details are still unknown, the Silverstone Edition will get a power increase over the standard Speedback GT's 510hp which should mean 0 to 100km/h times of around four seconds from its 5.0-litre Jaguar V8.

Prices are also still to be released although the standard Speedback GT can be had for around €590,000 (excluding taxes, duties and shipping). Only ten Speedback Silverstone Editions are being produced and the car will be unveiled in full at the Geneva Motor Show on March 6th.

Published on: February 26, 2018