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.
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
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!