Aston Martin readying ultra-premium flagship

Aston Martin has provided the first shadowy image and details of an ultra-premium flagship model that launches late next year wearing a wallet-thumping pricetag of £1.2 million ($2.6 million).

Known for now as the One-77, the proposed newcomer is billed as the "ultimate creative interpretation" of a car wearing the venerable winged badge.

The only details Aston Martin has officially revealed for now is that the One-77 is underpinned by a sophisticated carbon fibre chassis and clothed in a handcrafted aluminium body. Motive power, meanwhile, is said to come from a 7.0-litre V12.

It'll be truly bespoke offering as the car's well-heeled customers will reportedly be able to contribute to the One-77's design and development -- perhaps in a similar way that cashed-up Ferrari clients have been able to get involved in the R&D process via the cutting-edge FXX.

"It's a very special car for customers who want to take the bespoke experience to a higher level. Every car will be entirely individual," Aston chairman David Richards was quoted as saying in respected UK magazine Autocar.

According to the publication, Aston Martin has pinpointed a number of potential buyers for the car, and they will have demo cars brought to them, rather than having to make the trip to a showroom.

Autocar suggests the One-77 project began 15 months ago, and its 7.0-litre V12 is said to crank out about 485kW, making it the fastest, most potent Aston to date, with a v-max in excess of 350km/h.

The car could be viewed as a high-tech prototype for new technologies that are likely to eventually filter down to less exalted models in the line-up -- among these is its all-new carbonfibre monocoque chassis.

The name for the production version is yet to be announced, but the One-77 moniker being used for now is a pointer to the fact that Aston Martin plans to build no more than 77 cars.

Proving that superstition is alive and well, the exact number was chosen because of Bez's belief in 'lucky 7', according to Autocar.

The One-77 is further proof of a newfound willingness by the specialist British marque to push boundaries, as it follows barely seven months after Aston revealed the brutal V12 Vantage RS concept.

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