Aston Martin reveals DBR22 concept car

Aston Martin has unveiled the DBR22 at the 2022 Monterey Car Week in celebration of the brand’s lineage of open-cockpit sports cars.

The company said that the two-seater coach-built design concept is the latest project handled by the in-house bespoke division, Q by Aston Martin (which this year celebrates 10 years of building bespoke cars).

Designers of the DBR22 formed the car’s muscular look using a minimal number of body panels. 

Its front grille (which is inspired from the Aston Martin DBR1 and DB3S), wears a distinct carbon fiber design, replacing the usual veins found on the marque’s production models. 

It also comes with a lowline wind deflector and side mirrors with carbon fiber arms that are mounted on the car’s doors.

The DBR22 sits on the lightweight, 21-inch, 14-spoke wheels that feature motorsport-derived center-lock hubs.

The rich mix of leather and carbon fiber, as well as the sleek infotainment display and all-new dashboard gives the DBR22 its “classic-meets-contemporary” design.

Powering the DBR22 is a 5.2-liter V12 twin-turbo engine that delivers a peak output of 705 horses and 753Nm of pulling power, propelling the vehicle from 0-60 miles per hour (mph) in 3.4 seconds and reach a top speed of 198mph (319 kilometers per hour). The aforementioned powertrain is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters.

The creation of its chassis structure was given much attention: its distinct front and rear shear panels increase torsional rigidity while its adaptive dampers are uniquely calibrated to provide control and ride refinement.

To reduce the vehicle’s overall weight, The rear subframe of the DBR22’s components were 3D printed from aluminum. According to Aston Martin, it is the first time that such method was used. 

“Technology is pivotal in the construction of DBR22, with extensive use of carbon fiber throughout, and the use of 3D printing for the manufacture of a structural component. As such DBR22 showcases Aston Martin’s unique capabilities, with world-class design combined with an agile, intelligent approach to engineering and production. For a car that was designed to celebrate the ultimate bespoke customization service, the engineering developments mean DBR22 truly has the dynamic theatre to match, ensuring the drive is just as addictive as its looks,” Aston Martin Chief Technical Officer Roberto Fedeli was quoted as saying.

“We set our design systems to ‘hyper-drive,’ pushing the exploration of formalism further and endeavoring to express a future in the here today. Where could we go with the surfaces, proportion and form. Combining this approach with advanced process, technology, and materials, we’ve effectively modernised our racing bloodline and created a new pedigree. DBR22 is a hot-blooded, purebred Aston Martin sports car full of speed, agility and spirit, and a machine that we think will be the basis of many of tomorrow’s icons,” Aston Martin Chief Creative Officer Marek Reichman noted.

The DBR22 design concept will be displayed at Pebble Beach Concours D’ Elegance starting August 19-21.

Photos from Aston Martin

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