The Fighter Jet Inspired Aston Martin V12 Speedster

Aston Martin debuts the window shield-less 2 seater V12 Speedster inspired by the F/A-18 fighter jet. Limited to 88 hand-built vehicles, created by the “Q by Design” team.

• 2 seater open cockpit with V12 engine
• 88 Limited Editions
• Deliveries scheduled for Q1 2021

Earlier this year Aston Martin released a teaser of the V12 Speedster. A simple white silhouette against a black background, it was an early invitation of what was to come at the official unveiling at this years Geneva International Motor Show.

Unfortunately, with the Coronavirus causing all sorts of havoc to world wide events, the Geneva International Motor Show was cancelled three days prior to the scheduled start date. Like many other automakers, Aston Martin had to adapt quickly and relocated their planned event to the Aston Martin Lagonda headquarters in Gaydon.

Unveiling the V12 Speedster to the public for the first time, Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer revealed the sleek two-seater open-cockpit design saying: “It makes me enormously proud to reveal Aston Martin’s latest, most exciting special model today. The V12 Speedster is an incredible demonstration of the breadth of capability and determination from the ‘Q by Aston Martin’ team, who have worked tirelessly to create this stunning, two-seat sports car aimed at our most demanding and enthusiastic customers.”

Created in conjunction with the in-house bespoke division “Q by Aston Martin”, the V12 Speedster concept was developed over a period of 12 months and drew inspiration from both historical Aston Martin designs and the sleek lines of modern fighter jets.

Lacking a roof and a windshield, the V12 Speedster is a vehicle designed to connect the driver with the outside elements and heighten the senses albeit with some limitations. At high speeds bugs and rocks are going to be a possibility so matching carbon fibre helmets are available and can be stowed behind the seats inside glass cockpit style pods.

Commenting on the design, Miles Nurnberger, Director of Design, Aston Martin Lagonda, said: “With the V12 Speedster we do go back a step and look into our past for inspiration. Since the DB11 launch, everything has been focused and very forward looking. Here though, we find a different tempo. There’s clear lineage from the 1959 Le Mans winning DBR1 to our Centenary celebratory CC100 Speedster Concept in 2013. There is also a bit of 1953 DB3S in the mid-section, so it really is our latest incarnation of the Speedster concept. It’s also inspired by fighter jets as much as it is by our history, and it has been created to deliver an incredibly visceral experience, hence why it is a V12, rather than a V8. With the V12 Speedster we are amplifying all the emotional strings that we can to the absolute maximum.”

Taking advantage of Aston Martin’s latest bonded aluminium architecture, the V12 Speedster borrows elements from both the DBS Superleggera and Vantage to create its own unique platform and has a bespoke chassis constructed almost entirely from carbon fiber.

At the heart of the V12 Speedster is a twin-turbo 5.2 litre front mid-mounted engine, allowing drivers to hit 0-100km/h (62mph) in 3.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 300km/h (186mph).

In a special collaboration created by  “Q by Design” and Boeing, the world’s largest aerospace company, owners will also be able to order the same “F/A-18 Fighter Jet” inspired livery used for the reveal V12 Speedster which features the Skyfall Silver paint colour, satin black exterior and interior detailing along with splashes of contrasting vivid red.

At this stage build slots are still available for the V12 Speedster with prices starting at £765,000 including VAT. Production is expected to begin late 2020 with deliveries beginning Q1 2021.