Aston Martin is busy developing its answer to the Ferrari FXX-K and McLaren P1-GTR – the $2.3million, 600kW-plus, insane V12-engined Vulcan.
We love supercars, hypercar, whatever you want to call them. I love their absurd performance, the way they make you feel before they even turn a wheel, and I especially love it when they bend your
perception of what’s possible. Last year, driving the LaFerrari , 918 Spyder and P1 was an incredible privilege and I was staggered at their collective ability and seamless integration of technologies that should be in their clunky, frustrating infancy.
And yet if you asked me to tell you the power output of the Ferrari FXX K or the benefits of a P1 GTR over its humble road car brother, I wouldn’t have a clue. They look pretty cool, sure, but the concept of a faux race car built out of a compromised road car design, and which isn’t homologated for any race series and is to be driven only on special trackdays with other faux race cars of the same ilk? It just leaves me cold. Give me an R8 GT3 or 911 RSR any day of the week. I mean it. Please?
Vulcan's two rivals have a hybrid setup, the Vulcan adopts an old-school naturally aspirated engine. It's a massive V12 7.0-liter that sounds glorious when being revved and it's utterly powerful as it churns more than 800 bhp (without any turbo or electric assistance) sent to the road through a six-speed sequential gearbox.
Only 24 of these monsters will be built at $2.3 million a pop and all of them are exclusively destined for track use as Aston Martin recently denied rumors concerning a possible road-going version. The company's "most intense and exhilarating creation to date" is certainly a dying breed in a segment where turbos and electric motors are making the rules. Those very few who bought the car will be able to take part in a comprehensive track training program to help them master the 800+ bhp machine.
ASTON MARTIN VULCAN SPECS
Engine 7000cc V12,
dohc, 48v
Power c600kW
Torque c800Nm
Transmission Six-speed
sequential gearbox,
rear-wheel drive
Suspension Pushrods,
coil springs, adjustable
dampers, anti-roll bar
(front and rear)
Brakes Carbon-ceramic
discs, 380mm front,
360mm rear
Wheels 19in front and rear
Weight c1300kg
Power-to-weight
c460kW/tonne
0-100km/h 3.0sec (est)
Top speed 321.8 km/h
Basic price $2.3m
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