2013 Aston Martin CC100 Speedster Concept



During Aston Martin’s 100 years of existence, it has won the 24 Hours of Le Mans just once, and that was way back in 1959 (with no less than Carroll Shelby and Roy Salvadori as co-drivers). If it’s shocking that a dedicated sports-car manufacturer with a rich motorsports background only took the checkered flag once at the famed Circuit de la Sarthe, then it likely is entirely un-shocking that the same automaker mined the winning DBR1 racer for inspiration to create a celebratory show car. The result is the CC100 Speedster concept, which by and large resembles the DBR1 race car as formed in the crucible of 60 years of evolution and modernization.

The original DBR1 was a stripped-down, purpose built race car with a low profile windscreen, no roof, and a gorgeous shape. These basic attributes carry over to the CC100 Speedster, albeit with a host of modifications. Gone are the original car’s wire wheels, windscreen, and relatively plain body surfaces. And while the old car’s curves and stance are pure sex, they’re also not nearly as aggressive looking as the CC100’s creases, angles, and almost brutal detailing. Taken overall, the CC100 is certainly eye catching, although we wouldn’t go so far as to call it beautiful.


Aston Martin says that some of the CC100’s styling elements will make their way to future road cars, but given the constraints of safety regulations and sanity, you can almost bet that the see-through doors and invisible windscreen - hello, insects, rocks, and blown-up semi tires! - will stay in concept-car land. On the other hand, we wouldn’t be surprised to see the CC100’s full width rendition of the classic Aston Martin grille, as well as its unique rear-end treatment, make it to a production Aston in the future. Currently, the automaker’s cars pretty much all look alike; and with the exception of the latest Vanquish’s One-77 inspired design touches, the cars’ looks haven’t changed much for some years now. The CC100’s front and rear end tweaks would make for a nice update.


While its exterior may be polarizing, the CC100 Speedster’s mechanicals should find plenty of friends. That’s because the concept utilizes Aston Martin’s latest 5.9-liter V12 engine and a carbon-fiber body to keep weight in check. Aston doesn’t specify how much power the CC100 is packing, but the V12 makes 565 horsepower in the recently introduced Vanquish, which is a perfectly zesty amount. The engine pairs with a six-speed sequential transmission, which, of course, sends power to the CC100’s rear wheels. Aston predicts the combo is good for a four-second trip from 0 to 60 mph, and the car’s top speed is limited to 180 mph.

Aston Martin isn’t known for creating show cars that don’t eventually turn into production models, so a limited run of production CC100s perhaps with a windshield and normal doors could be in the works. Either way, Aston’s next 100 years are shaping up to be as provocative as its first.