Automobile designer Henrik Fisker has created a one-off design study based on the Aston Martin Vanquish. Dubbed the Thunderbolt, the car made its debut at the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance, and features a luxurious interior with a high-tech Panasonic infotainment system behind those shapely carbon fiber body panels.
Fisker is best known for his work on the Fisker Karma eco-supercar, the 1999 BMW Z8 and Aston Martin DB9. More recently, he turned his pen to the new Ford Mustang, teaming up with Galpin Auto Sports to turn it into the 725 hp (541 kW) Mustang Rocket.
It's no surprise, then, to see that Fisker has improved the already beautiful Vanquish with his hand-laid carbon fiber additions. The design study's hood is dominated by its power dome, which contains long triangular air intakes that feed the car's V12 motor. Up front, new headlamps and a reworked aluminum grille differentiate the Thunderbolt from standard Vanquishes, while slim blade-like taillights and a wraparound rear window give the car its own clear character in profile.
Inside, Fisker has tried to combine classic luxury cues with thoroughly modern infotainment and connectivity systems. The Thunderbolt debuts a prototype curved-screen, 11.6-inch Panasonic infotainment system that is height adjustable. Thanks to a collaboration with watchmaker Maurice Lacroix, a Skeleton chronograph sits in the center of the dashboard surrounded by leather from Italian furniture company Natuzzi.
In a touch that would please James Bond, the Thunderbolt is also fitted with a champagne/wine bottle holder. Rather than indulging in some irresponsible drink driving, Fisker claims that bottle holder is intended for "securely transporting a bottle or two, to a dinner party as a gift."
Fisker's design study isn't endorsed by Aston Martin, and the Thunderbolt displayed at the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance in Florida is a once-off. But if anyone is inetersted, Fisker and Galpin Aston Martin in Los Angeles is taking build-to-order inquiries. However, these vehicles, which would be restricted to limited numbers, would differ slightly from the silver design study unveiled at Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance, coming without the Panasonic infotainment system and a different front end treatment, as shown in the render below of the car in red.
Source: Galpin Aston Martin
