Aston Martin’s Q branch has come a long way since its launch. Earlier it used to serve as an add-on specification department for Aston Martin models but slowly and steadily it has evolved into being a bespoke brand in itself under the Gaydon-based firm’s umbrella.
After amazing the car world with cars like the Vulcan and super-rare Victor, it has come up with the ultimate V12 speedster that pays an ode to the 1959 Le Mans-winning DBR1 (pircuted with the images) and DB3S - meet the Aston Martin DBR22.
Aston’s Q branch is celebrating its 10th anniversary and this gorgeous speedster is not only serving as a birthday party present, but also as a commemoration of the “extraordinary bloodline of open-cockpit sports racers.”
The DBR22 has a very bold and muscular stance with a new-shape front grille with carbon fibre vanes at the front, a wraparound tail-light bar and twin nacelles at the back, and the whole car sitting on bespoke 14-spoke 22in centre-locking alloy wheels.
True Aston Martin fans will notice that this is in a way related to not only the old cars but also the V12 Speedster. In fact, the DBR22 has borrowed its twin-turbocharged 5.2-litre V12 from that car but in this it produces 705hp and 555lb ft of torque.
We’re told that the engine is ‘uniquely calibrated’ and mated to an 8-speed paddle shift gearbox. All the power is sent to the rear wheels and enables the DBR22 to do 0-60mph in 3.4 seconds and have a top speed of 198 mph (319kmph).
Aston says that this “is no bare-bones racer inside” with stuff like carbon fibre performance seats and a pinned steering column that “brings greater accuracy but also provides more detailed feedback” to the driver.
Owners will be able to choose from a variety of bespoke paint colours thanks to Q’s Paint to Sample program.
The DBR22 marks a first for Aston Martin as it's the first car from the British carmaker that has a 3D printed rear subframe which is made from 3D printed aluminium parts. 3D printing saves weight without compromising on the stiffness, hence why Aston looks to use this tech in upcoming low volume models as well.
Talking about low volume cars, the DBR22 is set to be one of them. It will cost £1.5 million and rumour has it that only 10 will be made. However, all will be revealed when the DBR22 will make its debut at the 2022 Monterey Car Week.
