Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Concorde SE
From today’s perspective, it is hard to imagine a world without smartphones, tablet computers and almost complete digitalization. However, even the young generation today should be aware that it hasn’t always been as comfortable as it is today. New technical achievements were celebrated accordingly. For example, the development of the first supersonic commercial aircraft. Relatively unnoticed by the western world, the Tupolev TU-144 was developed in the Soviet Union, while France and Great Britain jointly developed the Aérospatiale-BAC Concorde, the maiden flight of which took place four months after the TU-144 in March 1969. Due to various circumstances, the Concorde became much more successful and was used for passenger flights between 1976 and 2003 (with a one-year interruption after a crash in 2000). Its shape is still world-famous today and quite a few long-haul passengers want a similarly fast connection across the Atlantic.
Aston Martin Bristol now recalls the Concorde’s first flight 50 years ago with an exclusive special edition series of the DBS Superleggera. The British dealer is thus supplementing the previous special models of their Aston Martin Wings series, which previously included the Vanquish S Red Arrows Edition, the Vantage Blades Edition and the V12 Vantage S Spitfire 80. Since Aerospace Bristol in Filton/UK produced exactly ten units of the Concorde, Aston Martin also limited this special model to this number. At the same location, just a few miles from Aston Martin Bristol, stands also the Concorde, which made its last official flight on 26 November 2003. Like the previous special models, which could only be ordered and purchased through this dealer, the DBS Superleggera Concorde Special Edition was developed in close cooperation with the Q by Aston Martin customisation department.
The white body is contrasted by a black tinted carbon roof with a red line just above the side windows and a painted Concorde silhouette on top. The front spoiler, rear spoiler lip and diffuser also feature the colors of British Airways. A very special detail are the stylized Concorde models milled from solid aluminium in the air outlets behind the front wheels. The British Airways speedmark logo sits somewhat lower, while in front of the rear wheels there is an aviation call sign for each of the ten British Concorde models (G-BOAC on the presentation car). The Aston Martin logo on the front also bears the colors of the British Union Jack.
In addition to dark blue leather, the interior of the DBS Superleggera Concorde SE features several other elements from the Q department. The Concorde lettering is embossed in the backrests of the front seats, while the maximum speed of the aircraft (Mach 2.04) and the usual cruising altitude (60,000 feet) are embroidered in yellow on the inside of the driver’s sun visor. The grey Alcantara roof liner shows a printed representation of a supersonic bang that occurs when the sound barrier is breached. Another graphic can be found on the lid of the storage compartment between the rear seats. Behind the steering wheel there are shift paddles made of titanium from the compressor blades of a Concorde engine. Specially designed door sills and belt outlets milled from solid aluminium round off the package. Aston Martin made no technical changes to the DBS Superleggera. Accordingly, it remains with 725 hp and 900 newtonmeters from a 5.2-liter V12 biturbo engine, which accelerates the car to 62 mph in 3.4 seconds and allows a topspeed of 211 mph. Interested parties can now contact Aston Martin Bristol directly to order one of the ten cars.
Images: Aston Martin
