Yahoo Autos Aston Martin's Upcoming Hypercar Will Hit 250 mph and Offer 4.5G of Grip
Aston Martin first revealed its upcoming 1000-horsepower AM-RB 001 hypercar back in July, but at the time, it didn't reveal many details. Since then, tidbits have trickled out here and there, but the specifics are largely still a mystery. In a recent interview, though, the company's design head, Marek Reichman, shared quite a bit of information.
Speaking with Australia's Motoring, Reichman confirmed that the final car will look very much like the concept. Cooling and aerodynamic issues may lead to a few tweaks here and there, but what you see is pretty much the production car. Thankfully, he internal designation "AM-RB 001" will also be dropped in favor or a more Aston Martin-like name.
As for the engine, we're sad to report that it won't rev to 11,000 rpm like Reichman had originally predicted. Instead, it'll top out at only 9500 rpm. It's an all-new V12, though, that'll displace between six and seven liters. And while it's almost entirely aluminum, some of the components are actually made out of carbon fiber.
Reichman said Aston Martin is also working with Xtrac, the supplier of its racing gearboxes, to develop a single-clutch sequential transmission. Compared to a double-clutch unit, the single-clutch version will be much lighter.
And while it will have an F1-inspired kinetic energy recovery system, Reichman doesn't want you to think of the AM-RB 001 like the other hybrid hypercars. The 80-horsepower KERS-like system will be able to provide boost when needed, but it'll only have the capacity to start the car and move it at slow speeds. By not having a large battery, Aston Martin was able to save weight.
But while the AM-RB 001 will be an ultra-light, hardcore hypercar (capable of producing 4000 lbs. of downforce, taking corners at 4.5G, and hitting at least 250 mph), it'll also offer a few creature comforts. The steering wheel and pedals will be adjustable, for example, to make the fixed seating position comfortable for most drivers. And it'll be able to automatically raise itself any time it detects curbs and speed bumps coming.
The gullwing doors will also open under their own power, which Reichman says will make it ingress and egress surprisingly simple. "As it opens you can either step into the tub or sit on the sill and then swing your legs into the cabin," said Reichman. "This is something that can be elegantly done even by a woman in a miniskirt. Believe it or not, that was one of the considerations!"
Really, though, Reichman said the goal was to make the AM-RB 001 useable and driveable, even if you're headed to the store for milk. Reichman promised that he can even sit in it comfortably, which is a big deal considering he's 6'4".
That's a tall order for a car that's said to only weigh 2200 lbs. and be made entirely out of either carbon fiber and titanium. But if Aston Martin can pull it off, the AM-RB 001 is going to be incredible. Look for testing to begin next year and customers deliveries to start in late 2018.
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