The only thing better than cracking open the window on a long drive? Not having any windows at all. Or a windscreen, for that matter. Unveiled at Monterey Car Week in California, the Aston Martin DBR22 eschews automotive glass in favour of a two-seater open-cockpit design concept that pays homage to the British marque’s illustrious bloodline of open-cockpit sports racers, including the DBR1 and DB3S.
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Upping the ante on the aesthetically-distinct Aston Martin DBR22 is a 5.2-litre V12 engine, producing 705 bhp and 555 ft-lb torque, propelling the DBR22 from 0-100km/h in 3.4 seconds, with a top speed of 319km/h. With nothing but the slipstream separating the driver from the engine, a ride in the DBR22 is set to offer unparalleled sensory stimulation.
Designed with driver experience at its heart, the chassis of the DBR22 is honed to deliver precision, tactility, and agility. Calibration of the engine and 8-speed paddle-shift automatic transmission employs torque shaping to give the DBR22 a manner and delivery unique to the model, while a pinned steering column provides greater accuracy as well as more detailed feedback, allowing the driver to build a more accurate picture of available grip.
“We set our design systems to “hyper-drive”, pushing the exploration of formalism further and endeavouring to express a future in the here today,” said Marek Reichman, chief creative officer at Aston Martin. “Where could we go with the surfaces, proportion, and form. Combining this approach with advanced processes, technology, and materials, we’ve effectively modernised our racing bloodline and created a new pedigree. DBR22 is a hot-blooded, purebred Aston Martin sports car full of speed, agility and spirit, and a machine that we think will be the basis of many of tomorrow’s icons”.
Open-cockpit racers represent an integral element of the Aston Martin DNA, beginning with the DB3S. Created by British automobile designer Frank Gerald Feeley in 1953, the alloy body of the DB3S became known for its sleek curves and aerodynamic efficiency, working to cement Aston Martin as a key Le Mans contender. However, it was the DBR1 that took the marque to new heights, building off the design language put forward by Feeley and going on to become one of the most influential Aston Martins of all time; winning Le Mans in 1959, driven by Carroll Shelby and Roy Salvadori, and going on to take the Aston Martin team to victory in the World Sports Car Championship the same year.
Conceived by Aston Martin’s in-house designers, the DBR22 respects its heritage while taking on an entirely new design language, with its coach-built form using a minimal number of body parts to ensure a sculpted, muscular presence. The front grille draws inspiration from the DBR1 and DB3S, with a carbon fibre design in place of the standard horizontal veins found on the series production Aston Martins.
A horseshoe vent in the bonnet is recessed to allow airflow out from the 5.2-litre V12 Twin-Turbo that lies beneath, with the lean lines of the bonnet drawing the eye towards the cockpit. 21” alloy wheels rest within the arches, with the 14-spoke wheels featuring a motorsport-derived centre-lock hub.
The DBR22 is bathed in a bespoke shade developed specifically for the occasion using ‘Paint to Sample’ exclusively through Q by Aston Martin. The concept will become reality for a select number of Q by Aston Martin customers.
Words by John Deckard
