The magnificent Aston Martin DBR22, a V12-powered two-seater coach-built design concept honoring the brand’s amazing heritage of open-cockpit sports racers, was unveiled during the 2022 Monterey Car Week.
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Rooted in Aston Martin’s excellent racing tradition
The DBR22 design concept, which was revealed in California, is the most recent in a long series of outstanding projects skillfully handled by an in-house customized subsidiary, Q by Aston Martin, which this year marks a decade of producing premium automobiles for the world’s most demanding clientele.
These partnerships have produced iconic one-of-a-kind creations like the Aston Martin Victor and low-volume specialties like the Vulcan, which has a global production limit of 24, and the Vantage V600, which has a maximum of only 14. Therefore, it only seems sensible that the DBR22 design idea would serve as the foundation for a production reality example for a very small number of Q by Aston Martin clients.
DBR22 is a perfect fusion of design purity, engineering perfection, heart-pounding performance, and genuine love because it marries the traditional craft of coachbuilding with cutting-edge materials and production techniques.
An ideal celebration of the unbounded potential of the Aston Martin Q. All of this is highlighted by the fact that it is among the rarest Aston Martins in the brand’s illustrious 109-year history.
DBR22 unapologetically speaks of heritage, notably Aston Martin’s lengthy legacy of world-beating two-seater open-cockpit sportscars like the DBR1 and DB3S, but conveys it with a dynamic new take on this fascinating subject. It has traditional proportions and flawless, powerful contours.
The DB3S represents a significant chapter in Aston Martin’s history of competition. Aston Martin established itself as a major Le Mans competitor and achieved some spectacular wins along the way thanks to Frank Feeley’s alloy DB3S body, which was first introduced in 1953.
The DBR1, also known as the “ultimate Aston Martin sportscar,” advanced Feeley’s design philosophy and became one of the most significant and influential Aston Martins of all time. It is most famous for its victory at the 1959 Le Mans race, which was driven by Carroll Shelby and Roy Salvadori.
This victory led the Aston Martin team to its ultimate triumph: winning the World Sports Car Championship that same year.
Aston Martin DBR22 showcases powerful design elements
The brand designer’s brand-new body is on display in the Aston Martin DBR22 design concept. A smaller amount of body panels are used to produce its remarkable coachbuilt shape, giving it a more sculpted, powerful appearance. The overall product is a seamless combination of extraordinary drama and elegance, with various distinctive design elements to complement it.
The completely redesigned front grille, which substitutes a distinctive carbon fiber design for the typical veins seen on Aston Martin series production vehicles, is a standout feature. This design borrows directly from the DBR1 and DB3S, giving it a distinctive character. It is obviously influenced by Aston Martin’s history, but it also leverages this inspiration to produce totally unique automobiles.
A striking horseshoe-shaped vent on the bonnet is recessed to help airflow from the 5.2-liter V12 Twin-Turbo engine that is located underneath it. The low line wind deflector and the tiny mirrors, which are affixed to the tops of the doors on thin, wind-cheating carbon fiber arms, are obscured by the long, uninterrupted bonnet line, which brings your attention back towards the cockpit.
A pair of brand-new 21-inch alloy wheels are neatly positioned within the wheel arches. These lightweight wheels, which have a distinctive 14-spoke design made only for the Aston Martin DBR22, also include a center-lock hub with a motorsport-inspired design that you may choose from a wide range of colors.
Marek Reichman, Aston Martin Chief Creative Officer, said: “We set our design systems to “hyper-drive”, pushing the exploration of formalism further and endeavouring to express a future in the here today. Where could we go with the surfaces, proportion and form. Combining this approach with advanced process, 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”.
Classic and modern elements team up to define the interior
The cockpit of the Aston Martin DBR22 continues the blending of traditional and modern methods with numerous distinctive components and considerable use of both leather and exposed carbon fiber. The architecture is established for a tidy, uncomplicated atmosphere with the all-new dashboard and svelte infotainment screens.
The DBR22 is not a bare-bones racer on the interior, despite drawing influence from Aston Martin’s world-beating racing vehicles. The modern dashboard, the carbon fiber performance seats, and the tops of the doors are covered with soft, fragrant hides to give off an appealing interior vibe.
Twin nacelles that rise from behind the seats smooth the airflow behind the heads of the driver and passenger. The DBR22 design idea includes a distinctive horizontal light graphic at the back thanks to a full-width, narrow light bar that was designed specifically for this use. A perforated panel rests underneath it, allowing heated air to leave the tail.
This exquisite work of sculpture is just another distinctive feature of the interesting Aston Martin DBR22 design. The DBR22 boasts an outstanding road presence that precisely captures the raw feeling of the driving experience thanks to the pair of large diameter exhaust tailpipes, a flawlessly integrated diffuser, and a remarkable road presence.
Performance in every detail
With peak outputs of 715 HP and 753 Nm, the DBR22’s 5.2-liter V12 Twin-Turbo engine allows it to reach 60 mph in only 3.4 seconds and a maximum speed of 198 mph (319 km/h), enabling it to match its stunning appearance with absolutely breath-taking performance.
The DBR22 promises to be an incredible sensory stimulation, with just the slipstream standing between the driver and the epic engine’s legendary twelve-cylinder roar.
The Aston Martin DBR22 pursues real driver connection dynamically, with a chassis tuned to give equal parts accuracy, agility, and tactility. Torque shaping is used in conjunction with a specialized engine and 8-speed paddle-shift automatic gearbox calibration to provide the DBR22 a manner and delivery that are unmatched by any other vehicle.
A pinned steering column improves precision while also giving the driver more thorough input to help them gauge the amount of available grip.
The chassis design of the DBR22 has also received attention. A custom calibration for the adaptive dampers provides accuracy and pliancy for a mix of body control and ride refinement that will make the DBR22 an absolute joy to drive—on the road or the racetrack. Unique front and rear shear panels further boost torsional stiffness.
The 3D-printed rear subframe is another highlight of the DBR22; this is a first for Aston Martin. Multiple 3D-printed aluminum components are used to create the component, which is then fused together to create the final subframe. The benefits are obvious, with a large weight saving, no loss of stiffness, and, where necessary, the possibility to create unique components for very low volume models.
Roberto Fedeli, Aston Martin Chief Technical Officer, said “Technology is pivotal in the construction of DBR22, with extensive use of carbon fibre throughout, and the use of 3D printing for the manufacture of a structural component. As such DBR22 showcases Aston Martin’s unique capabilities, with world-class design combined with an agile, intelligent approach to engineering and production. For a car that was designed to celebrate the ultimate bespoke customisation service, the engineering developments mean DBR22 truly has the dynamic theatre to match, ensuring the drive is just as addictive as its looks.”