We've been waiting nearly seven months for the ultra-exclusive Aston Martin One-77 luxury supercar finally to be introduced to the world. If you haven't already put in your down payment and have a spare $1.43 million lying round, now may be the time.
Aston Martin is billing the One-77 -- which is being revealed at the 2009 Geneva show after several teases -- as the ultimate expression of its automotive know-how, with performance potential that eclipses any other Aston ever made. For a rumored 1.02 million pounds ($1.43 million at current exchange rates), we certainly hope so. Aston promises us the car will be rolling artwork as well as an incredible performance machine.
To make it so, the folks at Aston shipped their 6.0L V-12 motor off to famed engine-builder Cosworth for an upgrade. What they got back was a 7.3L V-12 monster that reportedly will make more than 700 hp and 500 lb-ft of torque in its final tune. As if that weren't enough, Cosworth reduced the mass of the engine by 25% and fitted it with a dry-sump oiling system that will allow Aston to mount it almost 4.0 in. lower in the car than any other V-12 has ever been mounted in an Aston. In addition to reducing the engine's weight and lowering its mounting point, Aston also pushed it back over 10 in. behind the front wheel centerline for better front-to-rear weight balance.