Aston Martin’s DBR22 design concept celebrates ten years of its ultra-luxe, in-house bespoke Q division with a design inspired by its racing lineage – specifically, the 1959 Le Mans-winning DBR1. But despite the clever nods to Shelby and Salvadori’s roadster, the DBR22 is distinctly forward-looking, as Q’s latest incorporates 3D aluminum printing into Aston Martin’s fabrication process for the first time.
This technique mostly shows itself in the low number of panels on the DBR22, each of which features unique and complex contours sure to impress the couple dozen or so people who will ever get to see one in person. Fans of Q’s V12 Vantage will find familiarity here: the same 5.2-liter twin-turbo engine powers the Aston Martin DBR22, which can roar from 0-60 in 3.4 seconds. The roofless roadster’s V12 also boasts a top speed of 198 mph.
Whether any of these vehicles will ever see 198 is another story. The lack of a windshield is a major clue that these machines are likely intended for display rather than driving. Not that anyone’s likely to notice the lack of them on the road, though: rumor has it Aston Martin will only produce ten DBR22’s as a nod to Q’s decade of hits – a run so exclusive, 007 himself probably couldn’t get his hands on one. The DBR22 design concept will be on display at the Pebble Beach Concours D’ Elegance from Friday 19th – Sunday 21st of August.
In other Aston Martin-related news, see the Bowmore x Aston Martin ARC-52, a 52-year-old single malt whisky.