June 2013

Aston Martin's 100th Anniversary CC100 Concept Car
Even James Bond would be jealous!
Article By Steven R. Rochlin

  Looking to be über James Bond while driving a very special Aston Martin? Then come celebrate with Aston Martin's 100^th Anniversary CC100 concept car, which harks back to the company's legendary DBR1 1959 Le Mans 24 Hours winner.

As a concept design and the only one in existence, the Aston Martin CC100 packs their 510bhp naturally aspirated 6.0-litre V12 to power the rear wheels. The layout is based on Vanquish's Vertical Horizontal (VH) platform. The driver can expect acceleration time of 0 – 60 mph in around 4 seconds with paddle shifting controlling the sequential six-speed automated manual gearbox. Top speed means you have the pavement passing under you at a blurring 180 mph. To keep weight low, carbon fiber was used for all body parts plus other interior bits as necessary.

Naturally the car needed an interior to match the stylish exterior. And so the designers at Aston Martin decided on lightweight carbon fiber for both structural rigidity and for the seats. It is interesting to find they choose a unique weave to creates 'a dynamic cockpit environment'. The carbon fiber racing seats are clothed in Bridge of Weir leather and the driver is secured via full safety harness.

"The brief was very simple, yet enormously testing: create something that reflects the 100 years of Aston Martin heritage and signals the future direction of the brand" said Chief exterior designer Miles Nurnberger. "The idea of a speedster that nods to the Le Mans-winning car of 1959 soon came. We had complete freedom to shape it."