AMR » Taking Aston Martin to new extremes
AMR » Taking Aston Martin to new extremes
Aston Martin has chosen the 2017 Geneva Motor Show to launch AMR – an exciting new brand that brings a new dimension of race inspired dynamism and performance. Reflecting Aston Martin’s racing pedigree, AMR takes technology and inspiration from motorsport to amplify the sporting prowess present across the model range. With enhanced performance, sharper dynamics and more powerful design language, AMR takes Aston Martin’s road cars to new and exciting extremes.
The AMR brand follows in
the wheeltracks of successive iconic Aston Martin road cars which boasted
top-level racing pedigree. In the mid-1930s, the success of Aston Martin’s Team
Cars in the Ulster TT road race led the marque to build further examples of the
lightweight two-seater for sale to the public. In 1951, Sir David Brown
introduced uprated and highly desirable ‘Vantage’ specification models, and
steered the marque to an historic outright win at Le Mans with the iconic DBR1
in 1959.
Since the formation of Aston Martin Racing in 2004, Aston Martin has enjoyed
success in the FIA World Endurance Championship, winning the 2016 FIA WEC GT
Drivers Championship, while also securing three class victories at the 24 Hours
of Le Mans over this period. Similarly, Aston Martin Racing’s GT3 and GT4
racers have secured countless victories and championship titles around the
world.
Two AMR concepts have been unveiled in Geneva – the Rapide AMR and Vantage AMR Pro. The Rapide represents the first tier of AMR, enhancing the four-door sports car with a comprehensive suite of power, chassis and styling upgrades, plus a spectacular new interior treatment. The Vantage AMR Pro – heavily influenced by Aston Martin Racing’s WEC winning V8 Vantage GTE – is the pinnacle; an uncompromising demonstration of AMR’s ‘Track to Tarmac’ philosophy whereby race technology is transferred to road cars.
While future development of the core AMR models will be part of Aston Martin’s central vehicle engineering teams, development of all AMR Pro models will be led by Q by Aston Martin Advanced Operations. This highly-skilled department already has extensive experience of creating extreme Aston Martins, with recent projects including the Vantage GT12, Vantage GT8 and Aston Martin Vulcan.
Rapide AMR
The Rapide AMR provides a dynamic and visual blueprint for future AMR models. Featuring a 600hp version of Aston’s 6.0L NA V12 breathing through a new quad exhaust system, it is capable of nearly 340km/h. Resplendent in AMR’s signature Stirling Green with vibrant lime green accents, riding on new 21″ alloy wheels and featuring a dramatic new full height signature grille, front splitter, side sills, rear diffuser and aero flip on the rear decklid, the Rapide AMR makes a striking statement.
Extensive use of carbon-fibre detailing on the exterior provide the perfect finishing touches. The interior features lightweight carbon-fibre front seats, trimmed throughout in Dark Knight Alcantara with Lime Green accents and carbon-fibre waterfall, centre console and door casings, ensure the Rapide AMR is a fabulous fusion of race car attitude with a luxurious crafted twist.
Vantage AMR Pro
The Vantage AMR Pro is an extreme, track-only expression of performance and the ultimate iteration of the Vantage. Powered by a 507hp development of Aston Martin Racing’s GT4 race engine, the Vantage AMR Pro is the most powerful V8 Vantage ever. Race-spec adjustable suspension, competition engine and transmission mounts and new 19×9.5″ front and 19×11.5″ rear centre lock wheels shod with Michelin Pilot Cup 2 tyres, the Vantage AMR Pro promises inspirational handling precision and exceptional levels of grip and traction.
This race car performance is matched by authentic motorsport styling. Once again painted in Stirling Green with lime green accents, the Vantage AMR Pro not only takes its colour scheme from Aston Martin Racing’s V8 Vantage GTE racer, but uses the same bonnet and rear wing as the World Endurance Championship winner. To compliment these authentic motorsport parts, the team have designed a new front bumper that incorporates a new bold full-height front grille, a new front valance and splitter, front fenders, sill appliques and a revised rear diffuser.
The racing theme continues inside, with extensive use of carbon fibre, lavish Dark Knight Alcantara upholstery with lime green accents and a custom roll cage designed by Q by Aston Martin.
Aston Martin’s President
and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Andy Palmer, was quick to confirm that both
the Rapide AMR and Vantage AMR Pro concepts are set for production: “As
passionate enthusiasts of Aston Martin’s competition pedigree, AMR is something
we have wanted to bring to fruition for some time. Cars such as the Vantage GT8
and Vantage GT12 confirmed that our customers love raw, race-bred models, but
we also knew there was an opportunity to create cars that offer a sharper
performance focus but stop short of those truly hardcore, special series
models. With the AMR brand we have the perfect platform to deliver both.
As proof of that intent, I’m incredibly excited to announce that we will be
putting both the Vantage AMR Pro and Rapide AMR into production: the Vantage in
an extremely limited series of no more than 7 cars; the Rapide as a run of only
210 cars. They are the start of something very exciting – a programme that will
eventually see an AMR version of every model in the Aston Martin range”.
