Geneva show: Aston Martin wings it with Vulcan

IN THE rarified air once occupied by its namesake, Aston Martin has taken off with an exclusive, track-only supercar for the exceptionally well-heeled driver.

Named after the iconic 1950s delta-winged British fighter jet, the Aston Martin Vulcan is based on the One-77 hypercar platform and shares its core drivetrain.

While expected to showcase the first of AMG’s V8 engines as part of an arrangement with Daimler AG, the Vulcan has a 7.0-litre V12 that the company says has “more than 800 horsepower”, equivalent to about 600kW-plus. It drives the rear wheels through a sequential gearbox.

Aston Martin chief executive officer Andy Palmer said it is “a sportscar for true sportscar lovers”.

“I believe the Aston Martin Vulcan, and the unique ownership program that sits behind it, sets a whole new standard in the ultra-high luxury supercar class,” he said.

Only 24 will be built and the Vulcan becomes the second limited-edition coupe to be launched by Aston Martin in the past year, following the Vantage GT3.

But it is more powerful, more exclusive and sells to its discerning audience along with an alluring driver-training experience manned by Aston Marin’s best factory drivers.

Parting with an estimated $2 million for the car brings with it a commitment to go trackside with the manufacturer to bring the owner’s driving skills up to par.

There is a free program of intensive track work led by factory drivers including Aston Martin Racing’s Le Mans winning Darren Turner.

The theoretical and practical tuition includes successive training in high-performance models, starting with the V12 Vantage S and rising through the One-77 to the Vantage GT4.

“Customers will gradually build experience and develop their track technique before beginning their thrilling personal journeys into the immense performance potential of their Aston Martin Vulcan,” the company said in a statement.

Aston Martin regional manager for Australia and New Zealand Kevin Wall said the Vulcan is not homologated or approved for road use and does not conform to any specific GT race regulations.

“But it will comply with all relevant FIA race safety requirements,” he said. “Pricing for Australia is yet to be announced. It is too early to tell if there will be any imported into Australia though the car can be exported anywhere in the world.” The Vulcan is built as a monocoque from carbon-fibre, manufactured by Multimatic, which is the same company recently awarded the contract to build the Ford GT supercar.

Mechanically, it features an integral limited-slip differential with a magnesium torque tube and a carbon-fibre propeller shaft.

The brakes are Brembo carbon composite rotors measuring 380mm at the front and 360mm at the back.

Drive goes to the rear 345/30x19 Michelin race-spec tyres through an Xtrac six-speed sequential gearbox. The suspension is by pushrods with anti-dive geometry and Multimatic’s spool valve adjustable dampers.

Buyers will be able to choose from an almost infinite number of colours and trim options under the brand’s “Q by Aston Martin” bespoke personalisation service.