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Geneva Motor Show 2019: Aston Martin Vanquish Vision, AM-RB 003 and more
British marque showcases hardcore hypercars and a luxurious electric SUV
Aston Martin has kicked off this year’s Geneva Motor Show in style by announcing a trio of concept cars, all of which may one day make their way into production.
Carmakers often use the Swiss event, which runs until 17 March, to launch their fastest and most luxurious models.
With this in mind, the British marque has announced three new models ranging from a “cheaper” version of the £2.5m Valkyrie hypercar to an all-electric SUV.
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Here are the cars stealing the limelight at this year’s Geneva show:
AM-RB 003
“If Valkyrie is the best of the best, then the 003 is the best at £1m”, Aston Martin designer Marek Reichman told Autocar.
Billed as a direct rival to the McLaren Senna, the AM-RB 003 is a mid-engined hypercar powered by a new V6 twin-turbo motor and hybrid system, the motoring magazine says. Aston Martin has yet to announce performance specs, but Autocar expects the hypercar to boast around 1,000bhp.
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Much like the Valkyrie, the AM-RB 003 will feature ultra-lightweight carbon fibre bodywork, which has been honed by the Red Bull Racing Formula 1 team to help drivers slash seconds off their lap time at a race track, says automotive news site Motoring Research.
It’s due to go on sale in 2021, with a price tag of around £1m.
Vanquish Vision
Those who are unable to get hold of one of the 500 AM-RB 003s due to reach production can always opt for the new Vanquish Vision instead.
The Vanquish Vision takes the form of a more conventional mid-engined supercar, suggesting it will go up against the Ferrari F8 Tributo and McLaren 720S - but only if it the firm puts it into production.
According to Top Gear, the Vanquish Vision will be built around an aluminium chassis as opposed to the carbon tubs that feature in the AM-RB 003 and Valkyrie. While aluminium isn’t as light as carbon fibre, it is cheaper to produce and should mean the Vanquish Vision will costs considerably less than the £1m AM-RB 003.
Little else is known about the supercar, although Aston Martin has confirmed that it will use a version of the twin-turbo V6 hybrid engine that powers the AM-RB 003. Given the Vanquish’s rivals produce around 700bhp, Aston’s supercar is expected to match - or surpass - that figure, says Top Gear.
Lagonda All-Terrain Concept
Aston Martin also unveiled a new concept under its upcoming electric-only arm Lagonda, and it may one day make its way into production. If given the green light, the All-Terrain Concept may become the first car to be launched under the revived luxury brand.
Built as a “purely aesthetic exercise”, the Lagonda All-Terrain Concept has a “very distinctive profile” thanks to its unconventional “squared-off tailgate” and overhangs that extend far beyond the rear wheels, says Evo.
The British marque hasn’t announce what electric motor system the Lagonda All-Terrain Concept utilises. However, it has confirmed that the SUV will adopt a “skateboard” battery pack, a thin system that sits underneath the cabin, the magazine says.
