ASTON MARTIN STEALS THE SHOW IN T.O.
Jaw-dropping RB 001 hybrid concept a promise of a new era, David Booth writes.
Why Aston Martin would build the super-phantasmagorical RB 001 that is making its North American debut at Toronto’s Canadian International Auto Show is of little mystery.
“We’re in what we call our second-century plan,” says Aston Martin chief executive Andy Palmer. “We’re in a transformational phase from a highend brand that wasn’t terribly successful on the balance sheet into a profitable entity. But we still need a star, a halo, and so we thought: Why not make the fastest car that’s ever been made?
“Besides,” the former chief planning officer of Nissan says, “Formula One offers the ultimate global stage to build wider awareness of the Aston Martin brand, and this partnership with Red Bull Racing will deliver even more than that when the hypercar that Aston Martin and (Red Bull’s chief technical officer) Adrian Newey are in the process of developing hits the road.”
That the Aston Martin RB 001 is competitive is almost certainly the ultimate expression of English understatement. Although Aston is not yet divulging the output of its trademark naturally aspirated V-12, Palmer is promising a power-to-weight ratio of one horsepower for every kilogram of weight (matching the Koenigsegg One-1’s incredible boast). And, thanks to the input of Red Bull Racing’s Newey, Palmer says the F1-inspired RB 001 will be as agile as a Formula One racer.
So, we know why Palmer is so excited about the AM-RB 001. But why unveil the prototype in Toronto? Well, according to Palmer, “Besides the fact that Canada has some great skiing (he’s headed off to Mont-Tremblant, Que., after the opening ceremonies), we’re also trying to avoid the clutter. At other auto shows (such as the upcoming Geneva exhibition), we’d be competing for the news feed with other supercars.
“Here in Toronto, we’re the stars of the show.”
Of course, there’s more to the AM-RB 001 than Aston Martin styling and craftsmanship; Formula One’s Red Bull Racing is responsible for much of the 001’s chassis development. What do they get out of the deal?
RBR’s team principal, Christian Horner, called it “a very exciting project for everyone on our team with Red Bull Advanced Technologies, led by Adrian, harnessing our Formula One DNA to produce the ultimate of all road cars.”
The AM-RB 001 will be one of the new hybrid hypercars that premium automakers are building to combine performance and environmental responsibility. Like the Porsche 918, Ferrari’s LaFerrari and the McLaren P1, the 001’s internal combustion engine — a 6.5-litre Cosworthdeveloped, naturally aspirated V-12 — is mated to an F1-like energy recovery system powered by a battery by Rimac, creators of the all-electric Concept One supercar.
Total power is expected to be around 900 hp and rumours are already circulating of a two-seconds-flat zero-to-100-kilometrean-hour acceleration time. One wag is even speculating of a top speed north of 400 km/h. Let the hyperbole begin!
For his part, Palmer is stressing F1-like handling rather than outright speed, claiming that track versions of the AM-RB 001 will be as quick around racetracks — such as Silverstone, where England’s annual F1 race is held — as a 2016 F1 racer. Carbon discs and F1-spec brake calipers by Alcon and Surface Transforms mean the 001 stops as well as it goes.
Of course, with so much F1 heritage, the RB 001’s chassis is constructed from carbon fibre and, like the last Aston Martin limited-edition supercar, the One-77, the tub and bodywork are being produced by Markham, Ont.’s own Multimatic (which is also building Ford’s GT).
The concept (and the car being shown in Toronto is very much a concept — the doors don’t even open) looks very much a Formula One racer onto which a Le Mans LMP prototype body has been grafted, further sculpted with the styling flourishes that Aston Martin’s chief creative officer, Marek Reichman, is famous for.
When we’re actually allowed to open the doors (when Aston moves the project from concept to prototype) we’ll find seats moulded right into the carbon fibre tub with leather-covered foam pads customizing the seat to specific customers.
And, as with real race cars, drivers of various heights will be accommodated by adjustable foot pedals.
Everything about the AMRB 001 screams F1, including the exclusivity and price tag. Only 150 road-going versions of the Reichman-penned 001 will be produced, with 25 more constructed for track use only. Pricing is estimated at £2 million (about $3.25 million) and even if you have that kind of money, you may be too late. Palmer says all the road cars are spoken for. He says it’s “the easiest car I’ve ever had to sell” and swears that, no matter the demand, he won’t produce more than the 175 cars promised.
If you’re at the show, it may be your last chance to beg to put a deposit down on the track version. Make sure your cheque has room for a lot of zeros.