Aston Martin has released a teaser image of a brand new V12 two seater inspired by the 1959 Le Mans-winning DBR1. Only 88 examples of the very limited edition V12 Speedster are set to be produced.
Celebrating “Aston Martin’s rich racing heritage combined with modern design language”, the V12 Speedstar draws significant parallels with the DBR1, Aston’s only outright Le Mans winner to-date, and the CC100 Speedster concept, unveiled in 2013 as a celebration of Aston’s centenary year.
Few details, aside from the outline drawing, have been revealed, though Aston has confirmed that the 5.2-litre twin-turbocharged unit at the heart of the halo DB11 and a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission will make up the drivetrain. Performance figures remain under wraps, with 700hp and 700Nm (516lb ft) of torque being suggested.
Deliveries are expected to begin early next year, with each of the 88 examples being hand built later this year.
Designed by Ted Cutting and built in 1956, only five examples of the DBR1 were built, four of which were run by the factory Aston Martin team. Each featured an all-aluminium six-cylinder – originally 2.5-litre but upped to 3-litre from 1958 onwards – a multi-tubular space frame chassis, and a David Brown-built five-speed manual gearbox. Alongside its famous 1959 Le Mans win – collected by Carroll Shelby and Roy Salvadori – the DBR1 took victory at the 1000km Nürburgring three times during its four-year production run. It also remains one of only three cars to win both Le Mans and the World Sports Car Championship in the same year during the 1950s.
*Images courtesy of Aston Martin
