Goodwood: Months of anticipation for Aston Martin enthusiasts around the world are, today, brought to a close with the exciting global dynamic debut of the Aston Martin Vulcan – a track-only supercar and the British luxury brand’s most intense and exhilarating creation to date.
Patrons attending today’s session of the 23rd Goodwood Festival of Speed in the grounds of historic Goodwood House, West Sussex, have been treated to a historic occasion of their own – with the first public running of the Aston Martin Vulcan following its unveiling at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year.
The 800-plus bhp, all-carbon fibre, Aston Martin Vulcan today delivered on its promise of truly extreme performance with a series of spine-tingling sprints up the famous hill climb with Aston Martin Racing works’ driver Darren Turner at the wheel. Before its inaugural run, the new model was showcased on the Michelin stage in the Supercar Paddock.
Powered by the most potent iteration yet of the company’s naturally-aspirated, 7.0-litre V12 petrol engine, the Aston Martin Vulcan is predicted to be capable of sprinting from rest to 60 mph in less than three seconds, and achieving a top speed of more than 200mph.
The brand’s CEO, Dr Andy Palmer, was on hand to witness the momentous occasion. He said: “Seeing the Aston Martin Vulcan unleashed at Goodwood today is a memory I will cherish for many years. We wanted to give this car its debut on ‘home soil’, and where better than at this hugely popular and globally renowned event.”
Engineered to excel
The new car’s 800-plus bhp powerplant has been developed in conjunction with Aston Martin Racing and the front mid-engined, rear-wheel drive sports car draws extensively on the brand’s rich GT motorsport experience.
Comprising cutting edge engineering the car features a carbon fibre monocoque and body constructed by Aston Martin’s long-term specialist body engineering and manufacturing partner Multimatic, integral limited-slip differential, magnesium torque tube with carbon fibre propeller shaft and Brembo racing calipers acting on carbon ceramic racing disc brakes which measure 380mm in diameter at the front and 360mm at the rear.
Drive is channelled to the 345/30 x19 rear wheels and Michelin race specification tyres through a race-bred rear mid-mounted Xtrac six-speed sequential shift gearbox.
Track-derived pushrod suspension with anti-dive geometry is complemented by Multimatic’s Dynamic Suspension Spool Valve (DSSV) adjustable dampers and anti-roll bars front and rear, driver-adjustable anti-lock braking, and variable traction control.
The ultimate in track day thrills
The new supercar is limited to just 24 examples worldwide and has been designed to allow owners the opportunity to precisely tailor their track day experience through a graduating scale of detailed power and dynamic performance adjustments.
Dr Palmer added: “As we have seen at Goodwood today, this is a sports car for true sports car lovers. I believe the Aston Martin Vulcan – and the unique ownership programme that sits behind it – sets a whole new standard in the ultra-high luxury supercar class.”
