With 700 horsepower, the Aston Martin V12 Speedster is topless perfection

Aston Martin is not new to deleting windshields in a spectacular fashion, but this new V12 Speedster takes the idea behind both the former CC100 Concept and the Vanquish Zagato Speedsters to a whole new level. This track-only special edition will remain very exclusive, at 88 examples planned for production, yet it costs almost half of what its rivals demand. That’s a bit odd, because according to my eyes, it’s a good dash prettier than either the Ferrari Monza or the McLaren Elva. It might not be as powerful as Ferrari’s fantastic 6.5-liter V-12, or McLaren’s most-heavily turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8, but Aston’s 5.2-liter V-12 still beats Ferrari in the torque department.

While this F/A-18 Hornet combat-jet-themed Skyfall Silver example is merely a show car made in cooperation with Boeing, naturally, the production version of the V12 Speedster will be based on Aston’s bonded aluminum architecture, utilizing elements from both the DBS Superleggera and the Vantage. The twin-turbo V-12 coming from this latest super GT is tuned to produce 700 horsepower and 555 lb-ft of torque in the Speedster, while the chassis setup includes independent double wishbones at the front and a multi-link setup at the rear, with adaptive damping and 21-inch forged center-lock alloy wheels as standard. Under those massive wheels, Aston Martin also fitted carbon-ceramic brake rotors measuring 410 mm (16 inches) on the front axle, and 360 mm (14 inches) at the back.

To make sure people make the most of the fully open element of this car, Aston Martin came up with a bespoke stainless steel exhaust system with a central exit into the diffuser surface. Frankly, the result is more glorious 12-cylinder twin-turbo noise, and thus, a source of great happiness.

The Speedster’s muscled, yet masterfully curvy body is made almost entirely of carbon fiber, featuring an enlarged grille, unique headlights, and plenty of breathing holes across the front. The vent also gives more room to the V-12 without raising the hood visually. Inside, the exposed structural carbon fiber meets traditional leather, aluminum, chrome, and according to Aston, even some 3D-printed rubber.

The traditional glove box has also been replaced by a removable leather bag, while those looking for additional storage can find some under the transparent rear bumps.

In case a (limited) 186-mph ride in your V12 Speedster makes you feel like a Blue Angel, Q by Aston Martin will offer its Boeing special in production models, too. The F/A-18 V12 Speedster package includes the silver exterior with contrasting satin black everything else, and then an equally-black theme in the cockpit, complete with red Aston Martin scripted door pulls.

The price, if you must know, is $950,000 to start, but more if you chit-chat too much with the bespoke team at Q by Aston Martin. First global deliveries are expected to begin in the first quarter of 2021. The nowadays-fashionable speedster experiment, with an Aston touch and made to look easy.