Roofs and windshields can be overrated.
If you are unsure, launch an exclusive special edition with a high price tag and striking design. This seems to be the standard operating procedure of elite car manufacturers. We’ve seen a lot of roofless cars in recent years, including McLaren’s Elva, Ferrari’s SP1 Monza and SP2 Monza, McLaren’s Elva and the Bentley Bacalar. Aston Martin’s V12 Speedster is also joining the fray.
first unveiled in March, the stunning creation by Gaydon has now reached the prototype stage. Aston Martin released new images to show the Q division’s latest creation as it enters dynamic development. This is done in open.
The all-black prototype was registered by the UK’s Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency with a green paint. The DVLA checked the license plate and found that the vehicle had been registered last month with a 5.2-liter V12 engine with a pair turbochargers. Aston Martin claims the speedster is capable of producing 700 horsepower and 555 lb-ft (753 Newton-meters) torque through an eight-speed automatic gearbox.
The prototype is certainly impressive, especially when it’s been given the Darth Vader treatment, which has seen everything except the wheels blacked out. The V12 Speedster’s styling may look familiar. It draws design inspirations from the CC100 Speedster concept, which was unveiled in 2013 in celebration of Aston Martin’s 100th anniversary. The roof was removed from the V12 version.
The V12 Speedster isn’t a new development. It wouldn’t make financial sense to spend a lot on a limited-run vehicle. It combines parts from the Vantage, Superleggera and removes the windshield and roof altogether. The model’s new stainless steel exhaust features a central-mounted exit that provides a “rousing, characterful” sound and a better visual impact.
A car with a high price tag of $950,000, including options, is being offered. Only 88 examples will be made. The British speedster will not be available for purchase by those with deep pockets until the first quarter next year.