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Automotive

Aston Martin's retro-inspired CC100 Speedster Concept

By Angus MacKenzie
May 20, 2013
Aston Martin's retro-inspired CC100 Speedster Concept
CC100 is 4.5 meters long (14.75 ft), 2.0 meters (6.57 ft) wide placing it between a DB9 and the Vantage
CC100 is 4.5 meters long (14.75 ft), 2.0 meters (6.57 ft) wide placing it between a DB9 and the Vantage
View 27 Images
Powering the mostly carbon fibered Speedster is the job of Aston Martin’s AM11 6.0 liter V12
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Powering the mostly carbon fibered Speedster is the job of Aston Martin’s AM11 6.0 liter V12
Aston's fantabulous 1950s DBR1 racer and the new one-off CC100 Concept
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Aston's fantabulous 1950s DBR1 racer and the new one-off CC100 Concept
CC100 Concept is being affectionately referred to as the DBR100 by Aston Martins CEO, Dr. Ulrich Bez
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CC100 Concept is being affectionately referred to as the DBR100 by Aston Martins CEO, Dr. Ulrich Bez
Aston Martin built the CC100 concept as part of their 100th Anniversary celebration
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Aston Martin built the CC100 concept as part of their 100th Anniversary celebration
Unlike the one-seater DBR1, CC100 passengers are separated by a cockpit divider of carbon fiber that flows off the hood, between the twin fairings and off the rear decklid
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Unlike the one-seater DBR1, CC100 passengers are separated by a cockpit divider of carbon fiber that flows off the hood, between the twin fairings and off the rear decklid
CC100 concept employs key design aspects from the DB9 and Vantage series
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CC100 concept employs key design aspects from the DB9 and Vantage series
CC100's half-doors open up and out at a 45 degree angle
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CC100's half-doors open up and out at a 45 degree angle
CC100 Speedster has a limited top speed of 180 mph (290 km/h) and 0-62 mph (100 km/h) time of just over 4.0 seconds
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CC100 Speedster has a limited top speed of 180 mph (290 km/h) and 0-62 mph (100 km/h) time of just over 4.0 seconds
Hundred year stickers litter the car to further emphasize the concept's tribute mandate
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Hundred year stickers litter the car to further emphasize the concept's tribute mandate
Vents behind the forward wheel arches assist in expelling engine heat
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Vents behind the forward wheel arches assist in expelling engine heat
Aston Martin's signature race colours and 100th Anniversary decals populate the carbon fibered concept
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Aston Martin's signature race colours and 100th Anniversary decals populate the carbon fibered concept
Cozy minimalist driver area is segregated from the passenger by a splitting body feature that flows from tip to tail
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Cozy minimalist driver area is segregated from the passenger by a splitting body feature that flows from tip to tail
Open door treatment is another concept trick employed in the CC100 Speedster Concept
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Open door treatment is another concept trick employed in the CC100 Speedster Concept
Designed and constructed in only six months, the CC100 concept incorporates most of the firm’s technical and design elements
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Designed and constructed in only six months, the CC100 concept incorporates most of the firm’s technical and design elements
Twin cockpit fairings of carbon fiber keep occupants safe while also looking tastey
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Twin cockpit fairings of carbon fiber keep occupants safe while also looking tastey
CC100 Concept holds two passengers unlike the one seated DBR1 racer
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CC100 Concept holds two passengers unlike the one seated DBR1 racer
Diffuser and rear verticals incorporate carbon fiber for weight reduction and enhanced coolness factor
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Diffuser and rear verticals incorporate carbon fiber for weight reduction and enhanced coolness factor
Diffuser and rear verticals incorporate carbon fiber for weight reduction and enhanced coolness factor
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Diffuser and rear verticals incorporate carbon fiber for weight reduction and enhanced coolness factor
Carbon fiber diffuser out back, keeps weight to a minimum while reducing messy rear end air turbulence
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Carbon fiber diffuser out back, keeps weight to a minimum while reducing messy rear end air turbulence
Racing seats in Bridge of Weir leathers come with full safety harnesses while the carbon bridge is open to reduce claustrophobia
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Racing seats in Bridge of Weir leathers come with full safety harnesses while the carbon bridge is open to reduce claustrophobia
Old school toggle switches contrast nicely under Aston's typical push-button shifter panel
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Old school toggle switches contrast nicely under Aston's typical push-button shifter panel
Leather release straps give the CC100 that old vs new world juxtaposed interior feel
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Leather release straps give the CC100 that old vs new world juxtaposed interior feel
Leather release straps give the CC100 that old vs new world juxtaposed interior feel
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Leather release straps give the CC100 that old vs new world juxtaposed interior feel
Leather versus carbon fiber further reinforces the old vs new design case
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Leather versus carbon fiber further reinforces the old vs new design case
CC100 is 4.5 meters long (14.75 ft), 2.0 meters (6.57 ft) wide placing it between a DB9 and the Vantage
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CC100 is 4.5 meters long (14.75 ft), 2.0 meters (6.57 ft) wide placing it between a DB9 and the Vantage
CC100 is 4.5 meters long (14.75 ft), 2.0 meters (6.57 ft) wide placing it between a DB9 and the Vantage
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CC100 is 4.5 meters long (14.75 ft), 2.0 meters (6.57 ft) wide placing it between a DB9 and the Vantage
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View gallery - 27 images

In the late 1950’s Aston Martin was on top of its game thanks to fantastic machinery in the form of the race bred DBR1. In 1959 the DBR1 won both the 24 Hours of LeMans and the Nürburgring 1000. Fifty years later, as part of its ongoing 100th year Anniversary celebrations, Aston Martin has brought back elements of the legendary DBR1 in its latest concept vehicle – the CC100 Speedster Concept.

The CC100 Speedster made its world premiere by completing a lap of the Nürburgring's infamous Nordschleife (North Loop) racetrack, a course that Sterling Moss once dominated in a DBR1. Designed and constructed in an impressive six months, the CC100 concept incorporates most of the technical and design elements from the firm’s current stable while attempting to pay proper respect to its elders. Measuring 4.5 meters (14.75 ft) long and 2.0 meters (6.57 ft) wide, the Speedster’s proportions place it dimensionally between the DB9 and Vantage.

While Aston Martin’s CEO Dr. Ulrich Bez is affectionately refers to the CC100 as the “DBR100,” the CC100 Speedster is similar to the iconic DBR1 in name and open top design only. The CC100’s proportions and lines are primarily linear with DB9/Vantage influences throughout, whereas the DBR1’s curvaceous fore and aft fender treatments, sunken cockpit and open mouthed bonnet were of the Ferrari Testarossa and Jaguar D-type school of thought. The CC100 may be concept only, but from a three-quarter view it comes off as oddly proportioned. The open windshield-less cockpit strikes us as being realized too far back in the body, and the long hood and split passenger compartment only makes the visual connection worse.

Racing seats in Bridge of Weir leathers come with full safety harnesses while the carbon bridge is open to reduce claustrophobia
Racing seats in Bridge of Weir leathers come with full safety harnesses while the carbon bridge is open to reduce claustrophobia

Inside the open aired cockpit the CC100’s environment is a healthy mix of carbon fiber and leather. Carbon fiber is used extensively throughout the cabin and the racing seats bathed in the finest of Bridge of Weir leathers are outfitted with full safety harnesses for increased protection. Leather door pulls continue the leather theme in a fitting tribute to the DBR1. Old world toggle switches are nestled under Aston’s signature push-button shifter panel to help with forward and back movements.

Unlike the one-seater DBR1, the CC100 accommodates two passengers separated by a carbon fiber cockpit divider that flows off the hood, between the twin fairings and over the rear decklid. The divider is open under the carbon fiber bridge ... so occupants can share espresso mid-lap.

Powering the Concept is the job of Aston Martin’s AM11 6.0 liter V12. Paired up to Aston Martin’s paddle shifted six-speed sequential/manual gearbox, the CC100 Speedster is claimed to have a limited top speed of 180 mph (290 km/h) while being capable of reaching 62 mph (100 km/h) in just over 4.0 seconds. No horsepower or torque figures are available, but given the car’s lightweight architecture and V12 pairing its likely power resides somewhere in the 500 hp range.

The CC100 Speedster Concept is a one-off tribute vehicle no plans in place for a production version.

Source: Aston Martin

Aston Martin CC100

View gallery - 27 images

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AutomotiveConcept CarsAston MartinNurburgring
4 comments
Angus MacKenzie
Born on the cold, barren Canadian plains of Calgary, Alberta, Angus MacKenzie couldn’t decide between marketing, automotives or an entrepreneurial path - so he chose all three. With an education in automotives and marketing, Angus has rebuilt the carburetor on his 1963 Rambler Ambassador twice, gotten a speeding ticket in an F430 once, and driven & photographed everything from Lamborghinis to Maseratis to various German and Asian designs. When not writing, Angus has for the past six years been Editor-in-Chief for elemente, an internationally recognized architecture/design magazine.

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4 comments
Alastair Carnegie
What is the function of the 'see-trhough' side-windows? Design features that serve no credible purpose, only detract from the overall appearance. "Gilding the lilly" is a common mistake. The shape is a masterpiece! If this ever goes into limited production, I hope Aston Martin lose thse windows! it makes the car resemble a look-through to the interior, museum exhibition piece.
Nantha Nithiahnanthan
I love it! It captures the essence of the great racing cars of old. But what is that silly gap in the door, for? For a motorcycle to stick inside? In Asia, A weaving motorcycle would just get its pedal caught in there. Or your child could crawl through. No, no. I really don't like that gap.
Griffin
That is why they put the side panels in- to show the car more impressively since it is only a concept car for shows at this point.
ALSO- if you notice, the doors open upwards/diagonally and it allows for a more unique and elegant entry.
Pretty clever, I think.
Of course, I miss Dicky seats (rumble seats for Americans), especially like the beautiful one in Triumph's 1949 2000 convertible, complete with fold-up windshield- that auto is generally considered the last production car to come with such a seat.
At any rate, I appreciate new and unique styling exercises.
I would drive such a car- perhaps if they ever build the car they can just offer it with NO doors OR side ports, as an option,since it is a low-slung roadster... no top,no windows.
Such a car doesn't need them and they were originally barely legal cars built strictly for homologation purposes to go racing- the lighter and simpler the better!
Synchro
For that kind of open-air motoring, I think you'd be better off looking at an Ariel Atom. I think it could be interesting to come up with alternative bodywork for the Atom since it's not the comfiest or prettiest of things, but it certainly goes...