Aston Martin One-77 to be Showcased at Geneva

Apart from the DBS Volante, Aston Martin will also present a One-77 technical showcase at the Geneva Auto Salon on 3 March 2009 the Geneva Auto Salon.

The strange name behind this concept hides a “definitive sports car” that epitomises everything Aston Martin from technology, the hand-craftsmanship of the hand rolled aluminium panels to the attention to detail, as the press release reads.

“Right from the very beginning of the project the vision for One-77 was very simple: It had to combine high-technology with hand-built craftsmanship, and demonstrate the unique capabilities and passion of our designers, engineers and technical partners,” Dr Ulrich Bez, Aston Martin’s Chief Executive, revealed.

A considerable step forward from the 6.0-litre V12 engines fitted to the DBS, DB9 and new V12 Vantage models, the new 7.3l, naturally aspirated V12 powerplant is mounted 100mm lower than in any previous V12-engined Aston Martin road car, which helps keep the One-77’s centre-of-gravity as low as possible. Developed together with engine builder Cosworth, the new powerplant is expected to generate is excess of 700-bhp. Top speed is rated at over 200mph, with a 0-60mph time in approximately 3.5sec.

In terms of platform, the One-77 features inboard suspension front and rear, with pushrods employed to transfer vertical suspension movements to the horizontally mounted spring/damper units. Inspired from racing car design, the main advantages of inboard suspension are a reduction in unsprung weight and the ability to package the suspension components more effectively.

Moreover, the dampers are fully adjustable and feature advanced Dynamic Suspension Spool Valve (DSSV) technology, which apparently is a world-first for a road car application. These special valves are state-of-the-art even at the highest levels of motorsport, and use high-precision machined components to enable the shock-absorbing characteristics of the damper to be changed without having to remove them from the car, as is the norm.

Shoed with Pirelli P Zero Corsa tires (255/35 ZR20 front, 335/30 ZR20 rear) specifically developed for the One-77, this future model will benefit from a six-speed gearbox to transmit all the power to the wheels.

All in all, the One-77 is reason enough to take a trip to Geneva. OK, OK, if you get there, maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea to take a look at the other puny, eco-friendly vehicles.