Daily Auto News Aston Martin One-77: What James Bond Would Drive if He Were Wealthier
Daily Auto News
The companies that build the world’s most exclusive cars can’t seem to agree on how to approach this recession. Rolls Royce is downsizing, introducing its least ambitious car in years, the 200EX. Yes, it’s still a fabulously expensive and indulgent automobile, but with its BMW 7-Series underpinnings, it’s what passes for thrifty in high society. Aston Martin, on the other hand, is upsizing. Witness the most powerful car the powerful car-builder has ever built: the 2011 One-77.
“The super-exclusive, super-expensive supercar unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show seamlessly blends top-shelf luxury with race-car engineering to create what may be the finest automobile the quintessentially British firm has ever produced,” writes Wired. “Of course, for $1.4 million, it damn well ought to be.”
It’s a unique-looking car. Wired comments, “the One-77′s funky ducts, oversize headlights and ribbed sides will prompt debate among aesthetes.”
That’s putting it mildly. From some angles, it’s breathtaking. From others, it’s a catfish on steroids. But the hand-built aluminum body isn’t the point. “the real power of the Aston Martin One-77′s under the hood, where engineers were told to take Aston’s 6.0-liter engine to a power output of over 700 HP,” Jalopnik reports.
To do that, they radically rebuilt the already powerful engine and mated it to a unique new transmission. Edmunds Inside Line explains, “The normally aspirated 7.3-liter V12 is designed to produce a whopping 700-plus horsepower, feeding the rear wheels through a new six-speed “robotized” sequential manual gearbox with paddle shifters. The performance targets are 0-60-mph acceleration in 3.5 seconds or less, and a top speed in excess of 200 mph.” Of course, straight-line speed goes only so far in the world of hyper-powerful supercars. Handling dynamics are just as important.
On that front, Aston has taken a decidedly Rolls Royce-like approach. Edmunds notes, “As part of the delivery process, Aston engineers will set up the car’s suspension to the owner’s individual taste.”
Buyers can tailor the interior to their tastes as well, according to Motor Trend. “The all-new dash and instrument cluster, with owner-specified wood, leather, and trim packages, give an indication of the future of Aston Martin styling.”
Wired notes, “The car was billed as the most expensive automobile on the planet when it was announced last year, but a slump in the value of the Sterling means the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 will retain the title.” Aston Martin claims to have received “expressions of interest” from 250 potential buyers around the globe, but plans to build only 77 examples of the $1.4 million car.
Research the best car deals with U.S. News’ car rankings and reviews.
Related with this news Japan Auto Store's other car news
