There’s been a lot of talk lately about Aston Martin’s 
financial troubles and whether or not the brand will manage to survive on its own. A recent report suggests the Brits might receive financial backing from its biggest shareholder, Italy-based equity fund Investindustrial S.p.A., but while that possibility won’t materialize anytime soon, it seems Aston Martin is ready to launch an all-new vehicle nevertheless. Dubbed Vulcan and described as “something very special,” Aston Martin’s new project turned out to be a track-focused supercar in the vein of the Ferrari FXX K and the McLaren P1 GTR. With the 2015 Geneva Motor Show right around the corner, the Brits unleashed the Vulcan for the whole world to see, and, as it turns out, Gaydon’s new baby is as special as it gets.
Skeptics that expected to see a beefed up, race-spec Vantage are in for quite a surprise, as the Vulcan is brand-new not only in design, but under the hood as well. What’s more, it comes with its own racing program and the kind of exclusivity only Ferrari was able to deliver until now. There’s a lot of PR talk coming with all-new vehicles nowadays, but Aston Martin nailed it when it described the Vulcan as the “brand’s most intense and exhilarating creation to date.” Keep reading to find out why.
Updated 12/04/2015: Aston Martin dropped a new promo video for its latest Vulcan supercar. Hit “play” to watch the car being tested to the limits.
Continue reading to learn more about the 2016 Aston Martin Vulcan.
Exterior
The Vulcan’s nose is a rather significant departure from what we’ve come to expect from the brand
Not surprising, the Vulcan’s exterior is a blend of Aston Martin’s current design and other styling cues, most of them based on AM Racing’s family of Vantage race cars. However, the Vulcan’s nose is a rather significant departure from what we’ve come to expect from the brand, with both the headlamps and the grille relocated lower into the fascia. The grille is now part of a separated, bare carbon-fiber piece that also incorporates the splitter and side canards, while the LED headlamps are thin, and less noticeable in the big picture. As a result, the vented hood is wider than on any other cars in the brand’s lineup.
The fenders have been reshaped as well, but retained the trademark Aston Martin vent, albeit the piece is now integrated into the wheel arches and extends rearward toward the doors.
When viewed from the side, the Vulcan has very little in common with Aston’s current sports cars
The rear fascia’s design is brand-new as well, but some details, such as the taillights, the side vents, and the massive wing, are reminiscent of the Vantage GT3 and GTE race cars. Everything else is unique to the Vulcan, from the design of the deck to the menacing rear diffuser.
When viewed from the side, the Vulcan has very little in common with Aston’s current sports cars. The muscular rear haunches and the redesigned greenhouse give it an aggressive supercar stance, while the race-spec side mirrors and carbon-fiber side skirts, plus the side-exit exhaust, are indications that this Aston Martin was built for the race track.
Speaking of carbon-fiber, the entire body is made from the lightweight material, which likely makes the Vulcan the lightest Aston Martin to date. I say “likely” because the Brits have yet to reveal any specifics on this matter as of February 2015.
Interior
Nearly every surface is made from carbon-fiber and everything from the dashboard and display cluster to the steering wheel and the seats were crafted with professional racing in mind
The interior of the Vulcan is downright radical when compared to the Vantage GT3’s. Nearly every surface is made from carbon-fiber and everything from the dashboard and display cluster to the steering wheel and the seats were crafted with professional racing in mind. The bucket seats come wrapped in Alcantara, while the race-spec steering wheel is festooned with buttons and switches.
Naturally, a full roll cage is in evidence. The black and carbon-fiber theme of the cockpit is only interrupted by the orange stripe and red buttons adorning the center console. The same orange inserts are present on the driver-side door panel.
The large instrument cluster provides all the vital information, including speed, lap time, tire pressure, and fuel consumption.
Drivetrain
The company’s Racing division went ahead and increased the V-12 engine’s displacement from the standard 5.9 to a massive 7.0 liters
This is where Aston Martin’s track-day special stands out even more. Although the teaser videos made it clear that the Vulcan features a V-12 powerplant, the company’s Racing division went ahead and increased the engine’s displacement from the standard 5.9 to a massive 7.0 liters. The end result is an output that blows past the 800-horsepower mark, but actual figures won’t be released until the Vulcan’s track debut later in 2015. With more than 800 ponies at its disposal, the track-prepped Aston Martin should take less than three seconds to reach 60 mph from a standing start and reach a top speed in excess of 200 mph.
Power travels to the pavement through a mid-mounted, Xtrac, six-speed sequential transmission with paddles behind the steering wheel. The Vulcan is also equipped with a limited-slip differential and a magnesium torque tube with a carbon-fiber drive shaft.
Drivetrain Specifications
Suspension and Brakes
Details are limited in this department as well, but Aston Martin did say the Vulcan employs a pushrod suspension with anti-dive geometry and Multimatic’s Dynamic Suspension Spool Valve (DSSV) dampers, the latter providing high levels of adjustability. There’s also variable traction control and anti-lock braking. Speaking of the braking, the Vulcan uses Brembo carbon-ceramic disc brakes measuring 15 inches in the front and 14.2 inches in the rear, while the lightweight, 19-inch wheels are wrapped in Michelin race-spec tires.
Prices
It’s way too early to talk about prices, but I can tell you that the Vulcan won’t come cheap. With only 24 units to be created, this track car is likely to fetch in excess of $2 million. The good news here is that the sticker will also include an intensive track driving program with Le Mans-winner Darren Turner as an instructor. During training, Vulcan owners will gradually build experience and develop their track skills driving Aston Martins such as the V12 Vantage S, the Vantage GT4, and even the ultra-rare One-77. With the latter built in only 77 units, this training program is likely the only way to experience the supercar without owning one.
Competition
Ferrari FXX K
The FXX K is arguably the most sought-after and exclusive track-only supercar on the market as of 2015. Based on the stunning LaFerrari, Maranello’s latest track beast is not only more powerful than its street-legal sibling, but also more aerodynamic, lighter and quicker. Its hybrid drivetrain consisting of a 6.3-liter V-12 engine and an electric motor was tweaked to generate 1,050 horsepower — 87-horses more than the standard LaFerrari — and more than 663 pound-feet of torque.
Its carbon-fiber shell has also been redesigned to accommodate a twin-profile front spoiler, a larger splitter, lateral dive planes, a redesigned hood, a new diffuser, and an unconventional wing consisting of two vertical fins on each side with small, horizontal wings extending on the inside. The whole aerodynamic package delivers a 50 percent improvement in downforce in the low-drag configuration, and a 30 percent improvement in the more-aggressive downforce configuration. This means a massive 1,190 pounds of downforce at 124 mph!
The cockpit is mostly made of carbon-fiber and features bolstered seats, a race-spec center console and steering wheel, as well as an updated instrument panel. Production is reportedly limited to only 30 units, priced from around $3.1 million.
Read more about the Ferrari FXX K here.
McLaren P1 GTR
Also based on a road-legal hybrid supercar, the P1 GTR comes in a similar package: an aerodynamically enhanced body with a host race-spec add-ons, plus a massive wing atop its rear. The track-focused interior boasts acres of carbon-fiber, a spartan center console holding buttons and switches, and a steering wheel based on the unit used by the McLaren MP4-23 Formula One car.
The P1 GTR is motivated by the same hybrid drivetrain found in the road-legal P1, but the combo now includes a motorsport-optimized, 3.8-liter, twin-turbo V-8 and a lighter electric motor. The drivetrain sends 986 horsepower, 83 ponies more than the standard P1, to the rear wheels, which translates into a 2.4-second 0-to-60 mph sprint, a 0.2-second improvement over the street-legal P1.
Pricing for the P1 begins at £1.98 million ($3.05 million as of 02/13/2015), a sticker that also includes private consultations with the McLaren driver-fitness team and company design director Frank Stephenson, as well as access to one of McLaren’s dedicated racing simulators. Customers will also benefit from at least six drive events to be held on certain Formula One tracks. Production of the P1 GTR “will be strictly limited,” but no actual figures have been given yet.
Read more about the McLaren P1 GTR here.
Conclusion
Gorgeous to look at and incredibly powerful, the Vulcan means many things for both Aston Martin and racing enthusiasts. It’s not often that we see a completely new product come from Gaydon and the Vulcan exceeds all expectations thanks to its track-restricted configuration and limited-run production cycle. What’s more, it is rather astonishing that the British brand came out of the box when everyone is basically talking about its financial limitations. The Vulcan opens a new chapter for Aston Martin, one I always knew the Brits could handle given AM Racing’s successful career on the track. Hopefully, this new race car and the program it comes with will bring the much-needed cash into the company’s coffers and enable Aston Martin to remain independent.
Updated history
Updated 10/02/2015: Aston Martin dropped a new very cool video in which its latest supercar meets the iconic 1950s British V bomber: Vulcan XH558. While pretty much nothing spectacular happens in the video, it is always cool to see two Vulcan one next to each other: the supercar and the bomber that provided name inspiration for it.
Updated 08/06/2015: Aston Martin announced that its latest supercar – the Vulcan – will be making an appearance at the Pebble Beach Automotive Week that starts on August 13. For the occasion, the company dropped a series of new images of the Vulcan. Enjoy!
Updated 03/03/2015: Aston Martin unveiled the new Vulcan supercar at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show. Check the “Pictures” tab for some new images taken at the show.
Updated 02/25/2015: Aston Martin unveiled the official details on the new Vulcan – a track-only supercar limited to only 24 units.
Updated 02/20/2015: Aston Martin dropped a new teaser video for its upcoming Vulcan supercar – and we have to admit we are very intrigued by what we can see in there. What do you think?
Gallery Aston Martin Vulcan
Press Release
Introducing the Aston Martin Vulcan – a track-only supercar and the British luxury brand’s most intense and exhilarating creation to date.
Born out of extensive motorsport experience – and using the brand’s acknowledged flair for design and engineering ingenuity – the 800-plus bhp, all-carbon fibre Aston Martin Vulcan promises truly extreme performance.
Uniquely for Aston Martin, the new supercar – limited to just 24 examples worldwide – will allow owners the opportunity to precisely tailor their track day experience through a graduating scale of detailed power and dynamic performance adjustments.
CEO, Dr Andy Palmer, said: “Aston Martin Vulcan is, by its very nature, a rare and thrilling supercar. Designed and engineered to deliver a genuinely bespoke driving experience that draws on our rich heritage, this car tailors its power and handling to both the capabilities of the driver and the characteristics of the track.
“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.”
Motorsport-inspired
Styled entirely in-house by the Aston Martin design team led by Chief Creative Officer Marek Reichman, and with a design language hinting at the next generation of Aston Martin sports cars, this supercar is powered by the most potent iteration yet of the company’s naturally-aspirated, 7.0-litre V12 petrol engine.
With its 800-plus bhp powerplant developed in conjunction with Aston Martin Racing, this front mid-engined, rear-wheel drive sports car draws extensively on the brand’s rich GT motorsport experience.
Utilising the techniques of world-class motorsport engineering, the supercar sees its power-to-weight ratio exceed those of the GTE cars which compete in the FIA’s annual World Endurance Championship.
Comprising cutting edge engineering including that sourced from the brand’s successful GT racing campaign, 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 new track car will comply with all relevant FIA race safety requirements.
Aston Martin’s Director of Special Projects and Motorsport, David King, said: “Taking the extensive learning from our various successful racing programmes and applying it to this exceptional track car for customers has been an exciting and sometimes challenging task for the team here at Gaydon.
“Our deep and broad motorsport experience, allied to our renowned road car expertise, has allowed us to make the Aston Martin Vulcan the absolutely compelling proposition it is today.”
Fast-track training
Prior to taking delivery of their cars, owners will be offered the opportunity to take part in an extensive and detailed programme of intensive track driver training.
Experienced racers including Aston Martin Racing’s Le Mans-winning Darren Turner will support owners on their learning journey, offering them the chance to refine their track driving technique and increase their ability through a carefully-constructed series of practical and theoretical driver training events.
Using a number of exciting high performance Aston Martins including the V12 Vantage S and One-77 road cars and the Vantage GT4 race car, customers will gradually build experience and develop their track technique, before beginning their thrilling personal journeys into the immense performance potential of their Aston Martin Vulcan.
David King said: “We will be running a series of exclusive track day events commencing in 2016 that will offer the opportunity for these customers to explore their driving capabilities, and the car’s performance potential, on some of the world’s most famous and glamorous race circuits.”
There will also be the option of time in the virtual race car world of Darren Turner’s Base Performance Simulators, where buyers will have ample opportunity to further refine their driving style in the safety of the digital race track.
No longer the exclusive preserve of Formula 1, it is widely acknowledged that using a simulator can help prepare a driver for any race; improving technique and consistency as well as, ultimately, lap times.
Almost infinitely flexible in terms of colour and trim options, the exclusive new sports car will be offered to buyers through Aston Martin’s VIP sales programme, using the expertise and luxury customer service that is now a hallmark of the brand’s ‘Q by Aston Martin’ bespoke personalisation service.
Dr Palmer added: “We have already received strong interest from the customers we have spoken to about Aston Martin Vulcan.
“The cars will blend our traditional Aston Martin values of Power, Beauty and Soul with an unrivalled ownership experience; a unique combination that will guarantee their place in the brand’s rich and charismatic history.”
Performance data, together with further technical details about the ultra-exclusive track-only supercar, will be released closer to its track debut later this year.
The Aston Martin Vulcan will make its world debut on the brand’s new stand at the 85th Geneva International Motor Show (Hall 5 Stand 5253) at 10.15am on Tuesday March 3.