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Well, it seems that engineers and test drivers are indeed refining this 750-horsepower beast these days, as a prototype model has been caught on video while frantically lapping the Nürburgring race track.
Aston Martin One-77 technical show case made its debut in Geneva Auto Salon on 3 March 2009. Chassis no.1 was on display as an exposé throughout the show detailing the quintessence of Aston Martin engineering and design expertise.
Chris Porritt, Aston Martin One-77 Programme Manager continued: "We wanted to create something that wows you as much when you see what's under the skin as the exterior styling itself. We started by identifying the most technologically exciting front-engined, rear-wheel drive cars in the world: those from the DTM race series. We then applied the principles and technology that feature heavily in their design and translated it to a road car application."
With a projected weight of 1,500kg the Aston Martin One-77 will occupy the very highest echelons of road car performance. Top speed is confidently predicted to be in excess of 200mph, with a 0-60mph time in approximately 3.5sec. Perhaps more importantly, thanks to the purity of a front-engined, rear-drive layout, the responsiveness and immense tractability of a naturally aspirated V12 and the low mass, high-rigidity properties of a carbon fibre chassis, the Aston Martin One-77 promises a driving experience of unrivalled intensity and excitement while representing the world's most desirable automotive art form.
In fact, Aston Martin said that in a series of test runs completed last week, the One-77 exceeded the firm's original expectations by recording a top velocity of 220.007mph (354.86kmh) in "dry but windy conditions", meaning that the Brits are expecting the exclusive supercar to go even faster in better conditions.
The British maker said that it will continue the development of the One-77 in the new year with handling tests.
The two-door, two-seat supercar uses a carbon fibre monocoque chassis with power being provided by a front-mounted, 7.3-liter V12 engine cranking out around 750HP. The V12 sends its power to the rear wheels through a new six-speed robotized gearbox with paddles shifters on the steering wheel.
With a projected weight of around 1,500kg or 3,300 lbs, Aston Martin expects the €1.1+ million One-77 to hit 0-60mph (96km/h) in 3.5 seconds.
As the supercar's name suggests, only 77 individually numbered examples will be built, with first deliveries expected to commence in mid-2010.
