Aston Martin took part in this year’s Geneva Motor Show in Switzerland to launch an evolution of its racing heritage. Presenting the AMR, the British automaker’s new performance-oriented sub-brand.
The reason behind the creation of the AMR is simple – to transcend Aston Martin’s track-developed design and technology to its road-going models such as the Rapide, Vantage, and the iconic DB series. In celebration of this remarkable feat, Aston Martin presented 2 AMR concept cars namely the Rapide AMR and the Vantage AMR Pro.
As a souped-up version of the Rapide luxury sedan, the Rapide AMR boasts an overall sportier styling that reflects its 6.0L V12 power plant’s potent performance. The fascia presents a meaner-looking aura that’s highlighted by Aston Martin’s signature grille in a sleek dark hue. This is accented with restyled fog lights and splitters.
Turning to the side, the Rapide AMR comes with sportier skirts and a set of 21-inch alloy wheels. The rear end, on the other hand, presents a diffuser that’s incorporated into the bumper to channel air flow out from under the car. This is in addition to an aero flip located on the trunk lid.
Meanwhile, the interior showcases carbon fiber seats with alcantara leather. The center console and door sidings also received sleek design upgrades.
While the Rapide AMR is a well-composed machine fit for daily driving, the Vantage AMR Pro is an absolute track weapon that’s purposely-built for racing, much like the Aston Martin Vulcan. Its front end is aggressively-styled with a bolder-looking grille, valance, and splitter.
The side skirts have also been restyled to give the car a wider appearance. These are then paired with 19-inch wheels with center-locking for faster tire change during pit stops. Speaking of tires, the wheels are wrapped in Michelin Pilot Cup 2 rubbers for improved grip and durability. As for the rear end, AMR used the same trunk lid and wing design from Aston Martin’s World Endurance Championship winning machine.
Working within is a race-tuned adjustable suspension system and an Aston Martin Racing Vantage GT4-inspired V8 engine that delivers 500 hp.
In closing, Dr. Andy Palmer, Aston Martin’s President and CEO, shared that both the Rapide AMR and the Vantage AMR Pro will soon advance into their production phases in limited quantities. The former will have a production run of 210 units, while the latter will only be available to 7 lucky owners.
