The Japan launch of Aston Martin's groundbreaking One-77 was a strictly private affair, open only to a select few established members of the marque's customer base, and took place in rather unique surroundings…
Tokyo plays host to a lot of different entertainment genres, and like other cities of its stature (New York, London, Paris) Japan's capital has its own purpose-built Cirque du Soleil theatre, erected purely for the world-renowned troupe's many different awe-inspiring performances. An appropriate location then for a car such as the One-77, itself a breathtaking example of art and function.
The engine bay looked sufficiently spaceship-like with the giant three-pronged torsion bar splayed above the powerplant. The gold hue is a reflection of the gold foil used as a heat shield on the inside of the hood.
The car's lines are all unmistakably Aston Martin, which from whatever angle flow effortlessly into one another. It is a car that astounds from any viewpoint.
When looking at the front of the One-77, my recurring thought was, "This is a super-Aston, an entirely new level. Staggering."
Aston Martin Director of Design and chief designer of the One-77 Marek Reichman gets behind the wheel, sparking a flood of requests from the (very well-heeled) guests in attendance.
Inside the engine bay (resplendent with more carbon fibre than I've seen in any road car ever), the 7.3-litre naturally-aspirated V12 delivers a juggernaut-like 750 brake horsepower and 553 foot pounds of torque (750 Nm), making it "the most powerful N/A road car engine in the world today." Acceleration is brutally impressive considering the car's 1,500kgs: 0-60 in under 3.5 seconds. With the sticker price in the neighbourhood of 1.5 million U.S. dollars, I wonder how many owners will be taking the machine to its limit of over 200 mph…
The One-77's interior is typically AM-like, beautifully executed with no unnecessary frills – and perfect in every detail.
Enrobed in sumptuous leather, the steering wheel and dashboard are all business, no bother.
The doors were remarkably light to the touch, reminiscent of a racing car, though luxurious in all the right places.
Everywhere I looked the lines were purely Aston Martin. The car is so different in every way, yet retains all of that Aston DNA. One can only imagine what the company is thinking of for their next creation.
The front light surrounds are as important aerodynamically as they are aesthetic – much like every inch of the car's skin.
Unmistakable design cues in the rear lights, and yet so different at the same time.
The front grille echoes Aston Martin like so many models before it, but here again, it is as different as it is reminiscent of the marque's heritage.
The One-77 cuts an imposing stance, one that is sure to remain unmatched for years to come.
Featuring a carbon fibre monocoque covered in hand crafted aluminium body panels, each one of the seventy seven One-77s will be slightly different. Surely one of the most unique supercars ever offered. Not surprising really that it's Aston Martin who have moved the goal posts yet again.
– Len Clarke