Aston Martin Vulcan Review
It's the Vulcan, Aston Martin's One-77-based track-only answer to McLaren's GTR and Ferrari's FXX cars. It has 820bhp and produces more downforce than it weighs above 190mph. Only 24 were built, each costing £1.8 million, and several owners reportedly spent £300,000 converting them to road use.
Back in 2014, Fraser Dunn, then-chief engineer of Aston's Q Advanced Engineering division, and David King, Director of Advanced Operations and Motorsport, were talking about some old One-77 development prototypes that were lying around. Unsurprisingly, their first thought was to make one that was faster. They imagined a One-77 R.
The problem was that the project that piqued their interest and excitement also bought out the underlings in almost every other department at Aston Martin. Design wanted a piece of the action, and when they were given the go-ahead to make some significant changes, such as shaping the bodywork in carbon instead of aluminum, every other department began pushing for similar changes.
As a result, the plan to use the existing 7.3-litre V12 was scrapped. Aston Martin Racing stated that they had a very powerful 6.0-litre V12 engine running in the Vantage GT3 racer that, with significant modification (including the addition of a litre of capacity), would deliver on one of the key parameters – over 800bhp. At 7,750rpm, the 6949cc nat asp motor produced 820bhp and 575lb ft of torque at 6,500rpm. All of this power is routed to the rear wheels via a six-speed Xtrac sequential racing paddleshift and a magnesium torque tube. The carbon chassis is based on the One-77, including the subframes and basic suspension layout.
The aero package is obviously unique. The rear wing is impressive, but it does not generate as much downforce as the underbody diffuser. Furthermore, because the Vulcan is front-engined, the diffuser can be opened earlier, generating more suck further forward. An AMR upgrade pack (as seen on the maroon car) included front dive planes, pressure-reducing vents over the front wheels, and a second element to the rear wing, presumably because Aston felt that 1,350kg of downforce at 190mph wasn't enough.
Carbon Brembos are hidden behind the 305-width front wheels, which are wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 rubber. A full set of slicks is optional
and will set you back £5,000. A drop in the ocean of £1.8 million. The difference they make isn't as noticeable as you might think. The Vulcan was only four seconds slower around the handling circuit on the treaded tyres during prototype testing at Nardo. Aston claimed at the time that the time on slicks, 2min 07sec, was the track's outright lap record.
Then there's the appearance. It's visually stunning. It's better from the back, like most racing cars, because there's more going on. The low rear three-quarter angle, where the view is mostly of the wing, the carbon bazooka that passes for a side exit exhaust, and those lollypop stick rear lights are all fantastic.
With the Valkyrie on the way, it may appear that the Vulcan has seen its day, but this is one of those cars that is greater than the sum of its parts. I wouldn't be surprised if some rivals (including the Brabham BT-62 and Senna GTR) are faster around a track, but the Vulcan takes a lot of beating as an event, a spectacle, and an experience.
"As an experience, the mighty V12-powered Vulcan is difficult to beat." "A fantastic machine."
In the long run, the Vulcan will most likely be subservient to the Valkyrie. With its Newey/F1 pedigree, that car will define the pinnacle of road/track capability. But the Vulcan can still hold its head high, not because of its sheer speed (which is nothing short of breathtaking), but because of the drama, excitement, and thunder of the driving experience.
With its naturally aspirated, sensationally responsive V12 engine and surprisingly forgiving track manners, this is a car that, while initially intimidating, quickly reveals itself to be a much more open, less savage machine than you expect. That is, you unwind and surrender to your position at the center of this whirlpool.
Yes, it is a large sum of money. Yes, unless you pay hundreds of thousands of dollars more to a third party, it can only be used on a track. But take a look at it. What a strange thing.