Aston Martin at the 2022 Monterey Car Week unveiled the DBR22 concept – a V12-powered, two-seat design in the tradition of the marque’s history of open-cockpit sports racers. The DBR22 design concept will become a production reality for a few Q by Aston Martin* customers – the custom vehicle shop at A-M. The fiber bodied, twin turbo convertible claims a tops speed of 198mph, with a zero-to-60 time of 3.4 seconds.
Q by Aston Martin this year marks a decade of building exclusive cars for the “world’s most discerning” – or is that richest – customers? There exist one-off commissions such as Aston Martin Victor, and low volume specials such as Vulcan – limited to 24 examples worldwide, and Vantage V600 – just 14, are examples of these collaborations.
Aston Martin’s heritage includes two-seater open-cockpit sportscars such as the DBR1 and DB3S. DB3S is a noteworthy piece of Aston Martin’s competition history. Introduced in 1953, Frank Feeley’s alloy DB3S body became known for its curves and aerodynamic efficiency. It made Aston Martin a serious Le Mans contender.
DBR1, known as the ultimate Aston Martin sportscar, took Feeley’s design language further and became one of the most important, influential Aston Martins of all time – winning a number of notable races, the most famous of course being Le Mans in 1959, driven by Carroll Shelby and Roy Salvadori, and taking the Aston Martin team onto the ultimate victory: winning the World Sports Car Championship in the same year of 1959. (AutoInformed: Carroll Shelby – Sports Car Racer and Builder – Dead at 89; Aston Martin to Launch Expensive Track Experience Program; Corvette C7.R Debuts in a Sneak Peek at Monterey)
The DBR22 design concept has a new body from the designers at Aston Martin. “Its coach-built form is created from a minimal number of body panels to create a more sculpted, muscular presence. The result: a smooth and effortless blend of exceptional drama and elegance, with several unique design features to compliment,” said Aston.
“A particularly noteworthy feature is the entirely new front grille which incorporates a unique carbon fiber design in place of the usual veins seen on series production Aston Martins. This design takes inspiration directly from the DBR1 and DB3S, giving a unique identity; one which clearly draws from Aston Martin’s heritage but uses this inspiration to create a truly contemporary design,” said Aston.
*Q by Aston Martin offers customers of all Aston Martin models a way to create something completely unique. As well as paint colors and finishes, custom graphics through to tinted carbons and bespoke materials on both the interior and exterior, every Q by Aston Martin car can be completely tailored to the customer.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, publisher (kzhw@aol.com), is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
Zino is at home on test tracks, knows his way around U.S. Congressional hearing rooms, auto company headquarters, plant floors, as well as industry research and development labs where the real mobility work is done. He can quote from court decisions, refer to instrumented road tests, analyze financial results, and profile executive personalities and corporate cultures.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
Aston Martin DBR22 Concept Shown in California
Q by Aston Martin this year marks a decade of building exclusive cars for the “world’s most discerning” – or is that richest – customers? There exist one-off commissions such as Aston Martin Victor, and low volume specials such as Vulcan – limited to 24 examples worldwide, and Vantage V600 – just 14, are examples of these collaborations.
DBR1, known as the ultimate Aston Martin sportscar, took Feeley’s design language further and became one of the most important, influential Aston Martins of all time – winning a number of notable races, the most famous of course being Le Mans in 1959, driven by Carroll Shelby and Roy Salvadori, and taking the Aston Martin team onto the ultimate victory: winning the World Sports Car Championship in the same year of 1959. (AutoInformed: Carroll Shelby – Sports Car Racer and Builder – Dead at 89; Aston Martin to Launch Expensive Track Experience Program; Corvette C7.R Debuts in a Sneak Peek at Monterey)
The DBR22 design concept has a new body from the designers at Aston Martin. “Its coach-built form is created from a minimal number of body panels to create a more sculpted, muscular presence. The result: a smooth and effortless blend of exceptional drama and elegance, with several unique design features to compliment,” said Aston.
“A particularly noteworthy feature is the entirely new front grille which incorporates a unique carbon fiber design in place of the usual veins seen on series production Aston Martins. This design takes inspiration directly from the DBR1 and DB3S, giving a unique identity; one which clearly draws from Aston Martin’s heritage but uses this inspiration to create a truly contemporary design,” said Aston.
*Q by Aston Martin offers customers of all Aston Martin models a way to create something completely unique. As well as paint colors and finishes, custom graphics through to tinted carbons and bespoke materials on both the interior and exterior, every Q by Aston Martin car can be completely tailored to the customer.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, publisher (kzhw@aol.com), is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. Zino is at home on test tracks, knows his way around U.S. Congressional hearing rooms, auto company headquarters, plant floors, as well as industry research and development labs where the real mobility work is done. He can quote from court decisions, refer to instrumented road tests, analyze financial results, and profile executive personalities and corporate cultures. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.