When Aston Martin meets Red Bull Racing
The result is a revolutionary hypercar, code-named AM-RB 001. The end-product of an uncompromising partnership between a luxury brand and a F1 team, determined to create a road car unique in its kind.
While the information is disappointing for collectors, it immediately conveys the positioning of this model designed by the very successful Adrian Newey : all of the 150 models produced have already been sold, though none will leave the production facility before 2018. Success that encourages the two partners to pursue their commitment. To the extent of already daring to promise a certain RB13. Over at the Geneva Motor Show, people were saying that the AM-RB 001 should be christened “Valkyrie” after the warlike Nordic divinity but also, and most importantly, a name with a V, something dear to Aston Martin.
“1 hp for 1 kg”, promises the constructor. Perfect balance, giving close on 1000 hp for one ton. Just 10 seconds from standstill to 320 km/h. One can also mention hybrid power, probably an ultra-powerful atmospheric V12 engine combined with an electric motor. The race-track will, in fact, have nothing to envy of the road, as 25 models are reserved for this terrain.
The styling is clearly aerodynamic. A quality also served by a carbon fibre structure. The lateral air vents and the generous rear diffuser recall Formula 1 models. Angular crests make a clean break with sensual curves. The tyres are signed by French manufacturer Michelin.
It is hard at this point to use any other tense than the conditional and not to refer to dizzying statistics previously evoked with caution : the brand nurtures its mysteries, communicates very sparingly, and resorts to all kinds of dramatization. Tradition or a marketing ploy ? In any event, a fine lesson in the art of product launching. The same enigmatic approach is applied to pricing : some say 2.78 M euros, others 1 M euros. To be continued…
