Only 100 enthusiasts will own it, and they get to be trained by a Le Mans winning expert. Aston Martin prepares its new 7.0 litre V12 supercar ready for the Geneva reveal, where the Vulcan expects to steal the thunder.
One should always leave space for deeper sighs and breathless vacuums. For, it looks like the previous story was just a curtain-raiser. Furthermore, when I lay my eyes upon the One-77 at the last Dubai International Motor Show, I should have expected something bigger rolling in, though this seems rather soon. The new track-only Aston Martin Vulcan features a slightly smaller engine than the One-77 but will still be the most intense and exhilarating Aston Martin ever, with over 800 bhp, 50 horses more than the centennial Aston. Developed in conjunction with Aston Martin Racing, this front mid-engined, rear-wheel drive sports car houses the most potent iteration yet of the company’s naturally-aspirated, 7.0-litre V12 petrol engine. The power-to-weight ratio of the Vulcan surpasses those of the GTE cars that race the FIA’s annual World Endurance Championship.
As with these cars you pay much over a million for, the new supercar will allow owners to customise their track day experience in detail. CEO, Dr Andy Palmer, said: “(Aston Martin Vulcan) tailors its power and handling to both the capabilities of the driver and the characteristics of the track.
The Vulcan was hammered to shape exclusively by the Aston Martin design team led by Chief Creative Officer Marek Reichman, the all-carbon fibre Aston Martin Vulcan promises hints at the next generation of Aston Martin sports cars.
The Vulcan picks the best from the Aston Martin’s GT campaign, and flaunts a carbon fibre monocoque and body constructed by specialists Multimatic, integral limited-slip differential, magnesium torque tube with carbon fibre propeller shaft and Brembo racing calipers acting on carbon ceramic racing disc brakes which measure 380mm in diameter at the front and 360mm at the rear. The Vulcan still transfers its power on a mid-mounted Xtrac six-speed sequential shift gearbox to the 345/30 x19 rear wheels and Michelin race specification tyres.
Equipped with full-fledged track safety and comfort details, the Vulcan’s pushrod suspension with anti-dive geometry is complemented by Multimatic’s Dynamic Suspension Spool Valve (DSSV) adjustable dampers and anti-roll bars front and rear, driver-adjustable anti-lock braking, and variable traction control.
Vulcan refines the ownership experience
The Aston Martin service person had insisted on ‘showing me the ropes’ while reviewing the Vantage S V12. As can be expected, the even crazier Vulcan will offer its owners the opportunity to refine their track expertise prior to delivery. Guiding them and building their confidence will be Le Mans-winning Darren, and top models including the V12 Vantage S and One-77 road cars and the Vantage GT4 race car. Besides initiation into the virtual race car world of Darren Turner’s Base Performance Simulators, the Vulcan will thus initiate a whole series of community get-togethers at some of the world’s most glamorous race circuits, so an investment in a Vulcan goes a longer way than just ownership.
The Aston Martin Vulcan will be unveiled to the world at the 85th Geneva International Motor Show (Hall 5 Stand 5253) at 10.15am on Tuesday March 3, 2015. Performance data will be released closer to its track debut later this year.
