Aston Martin CR V8 Concept by Claydon Reeves

As muscle cars are increasingly becoming the mainstay of the custom car world in Europe and North America, design company Claydon Reeves were keen to show that a British luxury car, more often associated with class and style, can be converted into a full-on muscle car. So they came up with the new CR V8 Concept.

With a history spanning almost a century, vehicles made by Aston Martins have become elegant, refined supercars, with electronic management systems and handling aids. They have moved away from their past of gentlemen’s racers such as the DBR2 from the 1957 Le Mans, or the iconic 1963 DB5. So what the design company had in mind was to bring back the vivid analog performance that Astons in the 60’s and 70’s had. The muscle car feel of the vehicle will be achieved by adding power and reducing weight, the classic formula that improves acceleration and braking.

The power will come from the standard 5.4-liter V8 engine tweaked to produce 550hp, coupled with twin superchargers, lightened internals and a free flowing induction system. Upgraded brakes, stiff damping and roll bars and a lowered suspension will give it good handling and a sports car look.

With exterior features such as a new front air dam, grille treatment, headlights, side skirts and a rear carbon-fiber diffuser, the CR V8 Concept now looks like a mix between a DB5 and a Shelby Mustang.

Claydon Reeves is a design studio based in London that specializes in luxury yacht design. Part of this James Bond-car of the future, the finished chassis will be driven to the Monaco Yacht Show in 2011, taking place in Port Hercule.