For those desirous of owning an epic piece of British transportation history, this is its triple pinnacle. A commemoration of Concorde in a flagship Aston Martin celebrating the centenary of their national carrier. Acquisitions don’t get much better than this but as to be expected, it is limited to just 10 examples.
Few icons of transportation are more recognisable, fondly remembered, or secretly hoped that it makes a return, than the Concorde supersonic jetliner. Now, 50 years since the first flight of this symbol of Anglo-French co-operation, the Concorde is giving wings to the design of a new model in the Aston Martin Wings Series – one of the most desirable supercar collections.
The Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Concorde
Strictly limited to only ten examples, this car is at the sculpting edge of Aston Martin’s bespoke service, Q by Aston Martin. This work of art proudly celebrates half a century of supersonic passenger flight, just as it marks the centenary of British Airways – one of Concorde’s two flag carrying airline operators.
The Aston Martin Wings Series is a series of aviation-inspired celebration models. The other distinguished models so far unveiled are the Vanquish S Red Arrows Edition; Vantage Blades Edition; and the V12 Vantage S Spitfire 80. Further auspicious details to the story are beyond mere coincidences. The car has been commissioned by Aston Martin Bristol, which is situated in the vicinity of Aerospace Bristol at Filton, where the British Concorde were once manufactured and where the last Concorde ever to fly now rests. Interestingly, the exclusive edition was announced on 26 November, 2003 – the day the last Concorde flight, G-BOAF (216), touched down in Bristol.
Marek Reichman, Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer, Aston Martin Lagonda, said of the new car: “Using the DBS Superleggera as our starting point, and with the support of the talented personalisation experts in the Q by Aston Martin service to draw on, we have been able to subtly and sympathetically enhance and highlight some of the car’s most notable features while preserving the elegance, style and sheer brutish road presence for which the Aston Martin DBS is rightly known.” The DBS Superleggera Concorde has been enhanced in a way only the most intricate of design aesthetics can – the brand adheres to class and character with subtly underplayed hints or sharply distinguished elements.
Distinction in design – inside out
Outside, the sports car is distinguished by bespoke side strakes milled from solid aluminium; a bespoke painted livery comprising British Airways colours on the roof strake, aero blade and rear diffuser; black tinted carbon fibre roof with Concorde silhouette graphic; the famous British Airways ‘Speedmarque’ logo in chrome on the front wings; a unique Q by Aston Martin wing badge with black enamel infill; unique and authentic jet black painted Civil Aviation Authority aircraft identifier numbers and bespoke inspection plaques signed by Aston Martin Lagonda President and Group CEO Andy Palmer and British Airways Chairman Álex Cruz.
Inside, the remarkable achievements of the legendary jet are celebrated with the Concorde logo on the front seat facings; a Mach Meter graphic embroidered on the driver’s side sun visor; a unique headliner featuring printed Alcantara displaying a ‘sonic boom’ graphic; paddle shifters made from titanium from Concorde compressor blades (simply awesome idea to have them behind the steering!); floor mats in Terence Conran design pattern; seatbelt buckle badges milled from solid aluminium and bespoke sill plaques.
Aston Martin Performance
Second only to the Concorde, the exhilarating performance of the brand’s Super GT flagship continues with the 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12-engined boasting 725 PS and 900 Nm of torque. The DBS Superleggera has a top speed of 211mph (approx. 340 kmph) and mindboggling swiftness to touch 62 mph (100 kmph) from standstill in just 3.4 seconds and 0-100 mph (160kmph) in 6.4 seconds.
Parts of the proceeds from the sale of this edition will be donated to the Air League Trust, a not-for-profit organisation that teaches under-privileged children how to fly, and offers support for them to work in engineering. Strictly limited to 10 examples, the DBS Superleggera Concorde Edition is available for purchase through Aston Martin Bristol.
Photos: supplied by Aston Martin • shot by Max Earey
