ASTON’s birthday gift to itself
CC100 Speedster Concept is providing some styling cues for new Aston Martins to come
They won’t make it, right?
That’s right, the Aston Martin CC100 Speedster Concept is simply a one-off show car made to commemorate the brand’s centenary.
The CC100 highlights a roadster body harking back to the 1959 DBR1 race car. Aston wants to underscore its sporty heritage and explains why the car — nicknamed DBR100 — made its world debut at the legendary Nurburgring race track in Germany this month.
Could it also preview a future?
Yes it does, according to Aston. Note the more aerodynamic lines in the CC100, especially the wavy waistline. Also, there are new design elements like the front and rear lights, as well as the front grille rimmed with carbon fibre.
And speaking of that lightweight material, the body and interior are also made of it. The CC100 is 4.5m long and over 2m wide (side mirrors included), suggesting a very dynamic stance.
The digital readout on the instrument panel is also suggestive for Aston’s future interiors, which is finished with luxury leather to make it feel realistic rather than just futuristic.
Any technical news?
This is where the good news comes to an end. Under the bonnet of the CC100 is the familiar AM11-coded 6.0-litre naturally aspirated V12 mated to a six-speed automated manual gearbox. In the Vantage V12 donor car, this particular engine makes 510hp and helps propel the car to 100kph in 4.2sec. The only performance figures Aston gave for the CC100 is an acceleration time in ‘‘slightly over 4sec’’ with a 300kph limited top speed.
However, by making future Astons lighter in weight (and more economical and cleaner, consequently), the V12 still has a place in the coming years despite rival brands turning to smaller turbo engines and dual-clutch automatic transmission.
Is hydrogen power a possibility?
Also present at the famed 24-hour racing event was the Hybrid Hydrogen Rapide S, claimed to be the first motorsport application to run on such a power. The four-door Aston has a twin-turbo V12 engine modified to run on either petrol or hydrogen. However, it’s still in an experimental stage meaning that it isn’t meant for production in the near future.
However, there’s a chance that Aston may get cosy with Mercedes-Benz in collaboration for a new engine. The on-andoff rumour suggests that resources may be pooled for Astons and sporty Mercs like the SLS and forthcoming SLC.
Of more concern would be the kind of benefits each brand will be gaining from the tie-up, which explains why a pact has yet to be formed.