Aston Martin takes aim at Ferrari

Thursday, 7 March 2019

After decades of being known for front-engined/rear drive sports cars and grand tourers, Aston Martin is diving deep into Ferrari and Lamborghini's territory by revealing not one, but two new mid-engined cars at the Geneva motor show.

The first is another hypercar that is the result of the company's collaboration with its Formula 1 partner, Red Bull, while the second is a 'mere' supercar that revives the Vanquish name.

The company says the AM-RB 003 - previously known as Project 003 - benefits from the close involvement of Red Bull Advanced Technologies in its design and engineering and, as its name suggests, follows the Aston Martin Valkyrie and Valkyrie AMR Pro as the third hypercar in the company's mid-engined line up.

Aston Martin has revealed not one, but two new mid-engined cars at the Geneva show.

Aston says the AM-RB 003 incorporates concepts and technologies taken directly from F1 and used in the Valkyrie, while making greater concessions to practicality and road use, and it will be limited to just 500 units worldwide.

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The Aston Martin AM-RB 003 is based on the Valkyrie hypercar and will debut the company's all new hybrid V6 engine.

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While the AM-RB 003 shares the Valkyrie's platform, the Vanquish Vision uses a new aluminium bonded chassis.

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Miles Nurnberger, Aston Martin Director of Design, said that while the AM-RB 003 is 'heavily influenced' by Aston Martin Valkyrie, it is very much its own car.

The Aston Martin Vanquish Vision Concept previews the company's first-ever mid-engined supercar.

'We were quite deliberate not disguise its lineage, but we were equally emphatic that it would be a distillation of Aston Martin Valkyrie and not a dilution. The design isn't as extreme in some areas, but it pushes just as hard in others, and is even taking certain ideas and concepts a step further.'

While the AM-RB 003 shares a lot with the Valkyrie, one of the biggest differences between the two is the size of the cockpit, with the AM-RB 003 making greater concessions to usability and comfort. To create more space between driver and passenger the centre console has been widened, while LMP1-style doors, which open forwards taking a section of roof with them, allow for easier access.

The Vanquish Vision is less extreme than either the AM-RB 003 or Valkyrie and will take aim directly at Ferrari.

While Aston Martin says that full technical details of the AM-RB 003 will be revealed 'as the development programme progresses', the company has confirmed that it will be the first car to receive its new hybrid turbo V6 engine.

'When Aston Martin secured the services of Red Bull Advanced Technologies to embark on the extraordinary journey that became Aston Martin Valkyrie and Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR Pro, it was always my hope that it would lead to a long-term collaboration,' said Aston Martin Lagonda president and group CEO, Andy Palmer.

'It gives me tremendous satisfaction to confirm that this exceptional partnership is continuing with the AM-RB 003 - a hypercar that not only draws from the ethos and DNA of Aston Martin Valkyrie, but will in turn influence Aston Martin's first series production mid-engined supercar'.

Which was the second of the mid-engined cars the company revealed at the Geneva show in the form of the Vanquish Vision Concept.

Unlike the Valkyrie and AM-RB 003's all-carbon fibre construction, the Vanquish Vision Concept uses a bespoke bonded aluminium chassis and will be powered by a less powerful version the new V6 engine.

'The Vanquish Vision Concept is the point when the things we have learned during the Aston Martin Valkyrie and AM-RB 003 programmes reach the series production models,' said Aston Martin's Chief Technical Officer, Max Szwaj.

'Creating a car like this for Aston Martin is a challenge I have relished since joining back in 2017.'

CEO Andy Palmer expressed pleasure at reviving the Vanquish name, saying it felt entirely appropriate to attach it to such a significant car.

'The Vanquish Vision Concept marks another pivotal moment in Aston Martin's history, and another critical step in delivering the Second Century Plan,' he said.

'Our first series production rear mid-engined supercar will be a transformational moment for the brand, for it is the car that will propel Aston Martin into a sector of the market traditionally seen as the heartland of luxury sports cars.'