The Lotus Esprit in the Spy Who Loved Me did not actually transform from a car to a submarine. It was quite simply a submarine, as you can see in the first picture. However, what Aston Martin (Exponents of luxury sport cars, many Bond cars included) and Triton (makers of submarines) have come together to create is a ‘submersible’ that will actually be produced as a car that transforms from surface transport on wheels to underwater vehicle with fins! They call it Project Neptune.
Aston Martin and Triton Submarines announced yesterday that the design phase for Project Neptune has been successfully completed. The first production model should be ready to greet its owner at the end of this year.
Two perfectionists at work usually create stumbling blocks for each other but Aston Martin and Triton seems to have struck an effective collaboration ever since they set out to accomplish this interesting task, 7 months ago. Refining the detailed design of the submersible’s hydrodynamics, body styling and luxurious interior packaging was paramount for Aston Martin while Triton focused on making the submersible safe, reliable and offering near 360º visibility, in order to deserve their signature trident.
According to Project Neptune’s final technical specification, the submersible will be able to dive 500 metres deep and carry two passengers and a pilot. By improving the hydrodynamic efficiency, reducing frontal area, and increasing the power, the sprint speed is expected to be more than 5 knots and approximately four times the acceleration of Triton’s flagship 3300/3 model.
Marek Reichman, Aston Martin EVP and Chief Creative Officer commented: “The exterior design of Project Neptune owes a lot to the pursuit of performance. As with the Aston Martin Valkyrie, the hyper-car we are developing with Red Bull Advanced Technologies, we have afforded as much attention to the hydrodynamics of the underside as we have the visible surfaces. Some of that detail may never be seen, but its effect will certainly be felt.”
“Project Neptune’s interior was a great challenge. Unlike a sports car where the interiors are installed into an open-sided cabin before the doors are fitted, everything you see inside will be lowered through the upper-hatch and assembled within the completed sphere of the pressure hull.”
The exterior of the submersible has an acrylic canopy and iridium coating, while the interiors is a luxurious mix of hand-stitched leather and high-performance carbon fibre, “assembled without obstructing the panoramic sight-lines that Triton submersibles are famous for,” adds John Ramsay, Chief Technical Officer at Triton Submarines.
The submersible showcases three designer specifications for colour and trim, each accentuating Project Neptune’s sporting, luxury and maritime characteristics. As with the cars, customisation options will be available courtesy of Aston Martin’s bespoke service, Q by Aston Martin.
The Neptune will showcase its possibilities at this week’s LYBRA Superyacht Show in Barcelona, Spain. Those who wish to secure one of remaining few build-slots for Project Neptune should contact either their preferred Aston Martin dealer or their nominated Triton Submarine’s representative.
