Car of the Day - Aston Martin One-77

Car of the Day - Aston Martin One-77

Aston Martin with the One-77 have proven the old adage that; “beauty is more than skin deep”. In the case of this limited production Aston that skin helped the One-77 win the Villa d’Este Concorso d’Eleganza Design Award for Concept Cars and Prototypes at Lake Como, Italy. For me however the shear beauty of the engineering over shadows the somewhat troublesome styling of the externals.

The utilisation of carbon fibre and cast, forged and extruded aluminium in the sports prototype style chassis and monocoque is probably the most beautiful execution since the Porsche Carrera GT. Added to the visual delight is the clever multi-purposing the Aston designers and engineers have used. Sections of the formed carbon structure double as air-ducts feeding the engine, the front cast alloy frame member not only provides the mounting points for the inboard suspension but also doubles as the reservoir for the dry-sump system and structural aluminum beams at front are used as ducts for the front brakes. This multi-purposing ultimately saves weight through the reduction of total parts.

The monocoque itself is stunning with a carbon fibre skin wrapping a aluminium honeycomb core. Aston worked with Multimatic to ensure the highest standards of production.

The engine is mounted front mid with the whole mass completely behind the front axle. It utilises the block from the standard 6.0-liter V12 Aston unit but has little else in common. Enlarged to 7.3 liters, unique cylinder heads, crank, rods, pistons and cams have been produced. Aston partnered with Cosworth for the development of the engine which produces 700 bhp / 522 kw and 750 nM of torque.

Power is transmitted through a six-speed semi-automatic sequential box with paddle shift. Stopping is taken care of by carbon ceramic brakes with six-pot calipers at front and 4 in the rear. A deployable spoiler on the rear deck lid raises at speed and the dual front radiators are closed at high speed to aid aerodynamics. Also at high speed the suspension lowers by 15-20-mm to reduce drag.

The reasoning for Aston to build a 1.8 million dollar car and try and sell 77 units is not stated. There is the obvious marketing gains through the shear volume of press generated, included all the “leaks” in the build up to the official launch at this years (2009) Geneva Auto Show. 77 cars is a lot to sell in the MegaCar sector, there were 40 (20 coupe and 20 roadster) Reventons and 75 Merc SLR Stirling Moss and Mercedes have a lot larger collector base and the Moss costs around two thirds the One-77. We will have to wait to see how the sales actually went.

Rod