Aston Martin One-77 technical showcase

After months of teasing and speculation, Aston Martin has finally unveiled its One-77 supercar at the Geneva Motor Show as a technical showcase.

Though not quite in production form just yet with the performance and durability phase of development soon to commence, chassis number one will be on display to showcase the brand’s latest technologies and hand-craftsmanship.

Aston Martin has confirmed that under the bonnet lies a 7.3-litre naturally aspirated V12 engine – an “extreme evolution” of the powerplant from the DBS – which should comfortably churn out more than 522kW.

By using a dry-sump oil system, engineers have been able to mount the engine 100mm lower than any previous V12 Aston Martin which helps keep the One-77’s centre-of-gravity as low as possible.

Similarly, this has also allowed the engine to be positioned 257mm behind the front wheel centreline – maintaining the front-midengined layout shared by all of Aston Martin’s current road car range.

“Our brief to the engine team was for them to take the 6.0-litre V12 as far as it could go,both in terms of output and weight reduction. The targets were a power output of no less than 700bhp with a 10 per cent reduction in engine mass. Incredibly, the Aston Martin and Cosworth engineers achieved a mass reduction of some 25 per cent, and although we’ve yet to complete the final engine calibration work, I’m confident we’ll see in excess of 700bhp. It’s an awesome accomplishment, but one that’s typical of the One-77 project, for it has consistently brought out the very best in everyone involved.” Chris Porritt from Cosworth explains.

Power is transferred to the rear wheels through a new six-speed robotised sequential manual gearbox which has been developed specifically for the One-77, controlled via column-mounted paddles behind the steering wheel.

The transition of power from engine to tarmac is handled by Pirelli P Zero Corsa tyres (255/35 ZR20 front, 335/30 ZR20 rear) developed specifically for the One-77, while lightweight carbon ceramic brakes help to bring the car to a sudden stop.

Employing double wishbones at each corner, the One-77 features inboard suspension front and rear to reduce unsprung weight and package the components more effectively – a practice taken directly from racing car design.

The dampers are fully adjustable and feature advanced Dynamic Suspension Spool Valve (DSSV) technology which allows the damper settings to be changed without having to remove them from the car.

Under the assumption that this would mean very little to prospective One-77 buyers, Aston Martin engineers will precisely set-up the suspension for each individual owner to best suit their needs – from a comfortable GT, to a machine capable of conquering the Nürburgring Nordschleife.

At its structural core is a lightweight and immensely rigid carbon fibre monocoque, making a significant contribution to the final projected weight of just 1,500kg.

The top speed is anticipated to be well beyond 320km/h with a zero to 100km/h time of around 3.5 seconds.