What's the news?
Aston Martin has sent us a teaser image of its forthcoming Project 003, without giving us any extra information. Last September Aston released quite an abstract sketch of the car to prepare us for the idea of it embarking on a new development to succeed the sold-out Aston Martin Valkyrie (Project 001).
Project 003 (expect a more evocative name to be confirmed shortly) won't be quite as extreme as the Valkyrie, as Aston has already confirmed that it will have space for luggage, but it will certainly be a hypercar. Helping it achieve that will be a turbocharged petrol engine mounted in the middle of the vehicle (we're assuming that this will be a development of the AMG biturbo V8 used in the Aston Vantage and DB11 V8) assisted by an electric motor.
The teaser image reveals what looks like a large air scoop on the trailing edge of the roof, no rear window and two big exhaust outlets high up the bodywork. In shadow below the LED lights, the outline of a serious looking aerodynamic diffuser is just about visible. Aston has already confirmed that Project 003 will feature active aerodynamics and suspension.
It's worth revisiting the boss's take on the new car. Aston Martin Lagonda President and Group Chief Executive, Andy Palmer: "It was always the intention for the Aston Martin Valkyrie to be a once-in-a lifetime project, however, it was also vital to us that Valkyrie would create a legacy: a direct descendent that would also set new standards within its own area of the hypercar market, creating a bloodline of highly specialised, limited production machines that can exist in parallel with Aston Martin's series production models. I'm thrilled to announce that this car is the Project '003', and our next step into a dynamic and exacting arena."
Anything else?
Project 003 is expected to be revealed in some form at next month's Geneva Motor Show, though it'll be late 2021 before first deliveries to customers. Only 500 will be made.