Aston Martin today revealed its designs on pushing its range far-beyond James Bond’s favourite gadget-laden cars – by revealing plans for a multi-million-pound hi-tech submarine worthy of 007.
And in a tongue-in-cheek riposte to Sir James Dyson’s plans for a ‘radical’ new electric car – for which he has been poaching top Aston Martin engineers and managers – the firm’s boss also unveiled a design for an Aston Martin vacuum cleaner.
The submarine venture, code-named ‘Project Neptune’, in collaboration with underwater specialists Triton, is the precursor to an ‘exclusive, strictly-limited edition submersible’ for the super-rich.
Aston Martin says the radical submarine’s styling has been heavily influence by its 200mph-plus Valkyrie ‘hypercar’.
Aston Martin today revealed its designs on pushing its range far-beyond James Bond’s favourite gadget-laden cars – by revealing plans for a multi-million pound hi-tech submarine (pictured) worthy of 007. Although no prices have been announced, it is expected that the new Aston Martin submarine will cost between £3m and £4m
Although no prices have been announced, it is expected that the new Aston Martin submarine will cost between £3 million and £4 million ($4 million to $5.35 million).
The submersible will have a top speed of – equivalent to a brisk walking pace – and can reach depths of 1,639 feet (500m).
It will accommodate three people: ‘Room for James Bond and two Bond girls,’ said one cheeky insider.
That compares with £1.2 million ($1.6 million) for the 37-foot (11.3m) AM37 power boat, whose first customers are taking delivery now.
A limited run of 175 Valkyries are being constructed – 25 for track use only and 150 for the road – each with a price-tag of £2.5 million ($3.34 million).
It is set to perform faster than an F1 car around Silverstone with blistering acceleration from rest to 60mph (96kph) in under three seconds.
It is the first project undertaken by the car-firm’s new design arm called Aston Martin Consulting.
The firm said its innovative design ‘marries expertise from the luxury automotive and marine worlds.’
The car-firm, based at Gaydon in Warwickshire, said: ‘Aston Martin is proud to announce a creative collaboration with Triton Submarines LLC, the acclaimed manufacturer of state–of-the-art submersibles.
And in a tongue-in-cheek riposte to Sir James Dyson’s plans for a ‘radical’ new electric car – for which he has been poaching top Aston Martin engineers and managers – the firm’s boss also unveiled a design for an Aston Martin vacuum cleaner (pictured)
The submarine venture, code-named ‘Project Neptune’ (pictured), in collaboration with underwater specialists Triton, is the precursor to an ‘exclusive, strictly-limited edition submersible’ for the super-rich
‘Codenamed Project Neptune, the venture enables Aston Martin to further enhance and grow the brand into new aspects of the luxury world, with all the performance, beauty and elegance one has come to expect from the British marque.’
Aston Martin said Triton has ‘unparalleled expertise ‘in the design, manufacture and operation of submersibles for researchers, explorers and superyacht owners.
The marine firm was founded in Florida by L. Bruce Jones and Patrick Lahey with the aim of producing ‘the safest and best performing, deep-diving submersibles in the world’.
Aston Martin says the radical submarine’s styling has been heavily influence by its 200mph-plus Valkyrie ‘hypercar’ (pictured) which is being built in collaboration with Red Bull Racing
Aston Martin executive vice president and chief creative officer Marek Reichman said: ‘Project Neptune is defined by its sleek, elegant exterior. We have used forms and proportions that express the same devotion to design, engineering and beauty that shape our cars, such as the Aston Martin Valkyrie hypercar project’ (pictured)
An Aston Martin spokesman said: ‘Project Neptune marries Triton’s diving and operational expertise with Aston Martin’s design, materials, and craftsmanship.’
He said the partnership, overseen by Aston Martin Consulting, ‘has shaped a unique concept that will lead to an exclusive, strictly-limited edition vehicle’.
It is not Aston Martin’s first venture into the marine world.
At last year’s Monaco Yacht show, it launched its AM37 wooden decked power boat with a price just short of £2 million ($2.67 million).
A limited run of 175 Valkyries are being constructed – 25 for track use only and 150 for the road – each with a price-tag of £2.5 million ($3.34 million). It is set to perform faster than an F1 car around Silverstone with blistering acceleration from rest to 60mph (96kph) in under three seconds
Aston Martin executive vice president and chief creative officer Marek Reichman said the submarine takes acclaimed existing low-profile three-person submersible platform as a basis for the Aston Martin model and transforms it into a vehicle with ‘inherently beautiful proportions’.
He said: ‘Project Neptune is defined by its sleek, elegant exterior. We have used forms and proportions that express the same devotion to design, engineering and beauty that shape our cars, such as the Aston Martin Valkyrie hypercar project.’
‘Through Project Neptune, Triton Submarines together with Aston Martin, is ready to introduce the new generation of yacht owners to the deep ocean, greatly enhancing the superyacht ownership experience.’
At last year’s Monaco Yacht show, Aston Martin launched its AM37 wooden decked power boat with a price just short of £2 million ($2.67 million)
Some of the design for the new submarine were inspired by Aston Martin’s AM37 boat. Navigation, control monitor and entertainment systems of the boat are all integrated into the 15inch touchscreen, which can also be controlled by voice
The AM37 is a day cruiser that can be transformed into an overnight berth by transforming the table into a comfortable bed
The wraparound windscreen has been created from a single piece of sculpted glass fluidly draped over the AM37’s foredeck
The submarine will accommodate three people: ‘Room for James Bond and two Bond girls,’ said one cheeky insider. Pictured is the late Sir Roger Moore as James Bond
Aston Martin chief executive Andy Palmer yesterday tweeted a tongue-in cheek design for a vacuum cleaner, as a riposte to household appliance entrepreneur and inventor Sir James Dyson announcing plans for an electric car.
He said: ‘Congratulations on Dyson joining our independent British car company club. We’re looking forward to branching out into vacuums.’
Founded in 1913, Aston Martin recently launched its six-year ‘Second Century’ plan for long-term growth and expansion, including a new factory in Wales.
It is replacing its entire sports car range, including the all-new DB11, an all-electric RapidE, the reintroduction of the Lagonda marque, as well as the development of a new manufacturing centre in St Athan, Wales which will build a new sports utility vehicle.
Patrick Lahey, president of Triton Submarines LLC said: ‘We have always admired Aston Martin. The marque represents a deeply held passion for technology, engineering and timeless, elegant design.
‘From our first interaction, it was apparent that Triton and Aston Martin were natural partners and our complimentary values will be realised in this truly exciting project.’
The new venture comes as Aston Martin has just launched a V8 version of its DB11 grand tourer, and its sponsorship of the Red Bull F1 race team.