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The Aston Martin Vulcan is a track-only, limited edition hypercar that pushes the boundaries of extreme performance and aerodynamics. With a monstrous 7.0-liter V12 engine producing 820 horsepower, this race car delivers an exhilarating driving experience and acceleration like no other. Priced at a staggering $2.3 million and limited to just 24 units, the Aston Martin Vulcan is a rare and coveted automotive masterpiece.
This article explores the Vulcan’s uncompromising design, extreme specs, and reviews from those lucky enough to get behind the wheel of this engineering marvel. We’ll delve into what makes this Aston Martin hypercar so special, from its track-focused aerodynamics and jaw-dropping performance to its exclusive ownership experience.
The Aston Martin Vulcan: A Track-Only Hypercar
Origins and Conception
The Aston Martin Vulcan is a two-door, two-seat, high-performance lightweight track-only car launched in 2015 by the British luxury automobile manufacturer Aston Martin at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show. It was designed by Aston Martin’s creative officer Marek Reichman, taking inspiration from then-current Aston Martin models such as the Vantage, the DB9, and the One-77.
Design and Engineering Prowess
The Vulcan features an aluminum alloy chassis with a carbon fiber body, housing a monstrous 7.0-liter naturally-aspirated V12 engine. This powerplant produces an astonishing 831 PS (611 kW; 820 hp) at 7,750 rpm and 575 lb-ft (780 N-m) of torque at 6,500 rpm.
To harness this immense power on the track, the Vulcan employs advanced aerodynamics and suspension technology. It generates GT3-car levels of downforce via its prominent front splitter, rear diffuser, and adjustable rear wing, producing 324 kg (714 lb) at 100 mph (160 km/h) and a staggering 1,362 kg (3,003 lb) at its top speed.
The car’s race-derived pushrod suspension with anti-dive geometry is complemented by Multimatic’s Dynamic Suspension Spool Valve (DSSV) adjustable dampers and anti-roll bars, front and rear driver-adjustable anti-lock braking, and variable traction control, ensuring precise handling and control.
Exclusivity and Production Numbers
Aston Martin produced only 24 units of the Vulcan, with each priced at a staggering US$2.3 million. The limited production run pays homage to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, with one car representing each hour of the legendary endurance race.
Like the Ferrari FXX, 599XX, FXX-K, and the McLaren P1 GTR, the Vulcan must be approved by the factory to drive on track day events. However, unlike those cars, Vulcan customers can keep the car in their possession.
Also read: Ferrari Monza SP2 vs SP1: Which Speedster Reigns Supreme?
Extreme Performance and Specifications
Powertrain and Engine Details
The Aston Martin Vulcan is powered by a monstrous 7.0-liter naturally aspirated V12 engine mounted in an aluminum alloy chassis with a carbon fiber body. This powerplant delivers an astonishing 831 PS (611 kW; 820 hp) at 7,750 rpm and 575 lb-ft (780 N-m) of torque at 6,500 rpm. The engine’s power delivery is selectable using a knob inside the car, with the first option setting the power to 507 PS (373 kW; 500 hp), the second option at 684 PS (503 kW; 675 hp), and the third and final option unleashing the full 831 PS (611 kW; 820 hp).
The immense power is sent to the rear wheels via a six-speed Xtrac sequential racing paddleshift gearbox and a magnesium torque tube.
Aerodynamic Features and Downforce
One of the Vulcan’s standout features is its extreme aerodynamic package that generates downforce levels on par with GT3 race cars. The prominent front splitter, rear diffuser, and adjustable rear wing work in tandem to produce a staggering 324 kg (714 lb) of downforce at 100 mph (160 km/h) and a colossal 1,362 kg (3,003 lb) at its top speed.
An optional AMR upgrade pack further enhances the aerodynamics with louvred panels above the front wheel arches to extract high-pressure air, sizeable dive planes on each side of the nose to pin the front end, and a dual-plane rear wing with a 20mm ‘Gurney’ flap and slotted endplates sporting additional 15mm Gurneys. These modifications increase the downforce from the standard Vulcan’s 3150N to an immense 4000N at 100 MPH, surpassing even the 3104N generated by the 2017 Le Mans-winning Aston Martin Racing Vantage GTE.
Chassis, Suspension, and Braking System
The Vulcan’s race-derived pushrod suspension with anti-dive geometry is complemented by Multimatic’s Dynamic Suspension Spool Valve (DSSV) adjustable dampers and anti-roll bars, front and rear driver-adjustable anti-lock braking, and variable traction control, ensuring precise handling and control on the track.
Stopping power is provided by carbon-ceramic brakes from Brembo, measuring 380 mm (15 in) at the front and 360 mm (14 in) at the rear. The Vulcan rides on 305-width front wheels shod with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, with the option of full slicks available for an additional cost.
The carbon chassis is derived from the Aston Martin One-77, sharing the sub-frames and basic suspension layout.
Driving Experience and Reviews
Professional Reviews and Impressions
According to professional reviews, driving the Aston Martin Vulcan is a dramatic and exhilarating experience. Reviewers praise its stunning V12 engine, handling balance, and the sheer drama and excitement it offers. One reviewer notes, “With its naturally aspirated, sensationally responsive V12 and surprisingly forgiving track manners this is a car that, although initially being fabulously intimidating, soon reveals itself to be a much more open, less savage machine than you expect.”
The Vulcan’s aerodynamic package is a standout feature, generating more downforce than the car’s weight above 190 mph. The rear wing and underbody diffuser work in tandem to create immense downforce, with the diffuser being particularly effective due to the Vulcan’s front-engined layout.
Reviewers also highlight the Vulcan’s impressive braking capabilities, courtesy of the carbon Brembo brakes paired with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires or the optional full slicks. During prototype testing at the Nardo circuit, the Vulcan reportedly set an outright lap record of 2 minutes 7 seconds on slick tires, a mere four seconds quicker than on the treaded tires.
Challenges and Thrills of Handling the Vulcan
While the Vulcan’s performance is awe-inspiring, it also presents challenges for drivers. One reviewer acknowledges, “To drive this car, you do need to have an extra large pair of gentleman balloons. But, most importantly, a large wallet, because the Vulcan has no intention of allowing you to keep any of your inheritance, once you have bought one.”
When pushing the Vulcan to its limits, drivers are treated to an exhilarating experience. As one reviewer describes, “When this happens, the car will be producing 820BHP, with speeds that hurt my head to even think about. It will do 0-60 in 2.9 seconds, and blast through to its top speed of 208MPH.”
However, the Vulcan’s immense power and speed also demand respect and skill from the driver. Initial impressions can be intimidating, as described by a reviewer: “At first, it may seem like the Vulcan is a deathtrap that wants to kill you, but once you are at one with the car, you will feel confident enough to fling this around Rouse at Spa in Belguim and know for a fact that you will be okay on the other side.”
Reviewers also note the Vulcan’s impressive lap times, with one claiming it went around an Italian circuit 9 seconds faster than the McLaren P1, a significant margin in automotive terms.
While the Vulcan’s top speed is impressive, some reviewers point out challenges in reaching its full potential. One reviewer mentions, “I noticed after 245 or so miles per hour this car really does seem to struggle a bit,” suggesting it may not be as effortless as other hypercars at extreme speeds. However, this limitation is unlikely to be a significant issue on most tracks, as the reviewer acknowledges, “I don’t think it will [affect the Vulcan] on some of these smaller tracks.”
Pricing, Customization, and Ownership
Exorbitant Price Tag and Justification
When the Aston Martin Vulcan first went on sale, its sticker price was an eye-watering $2.3 million, a figure in keeping with the similar asks of its equally exotic track-only contemporaries. Just as extreme as the Vulcan’s design is its price, with the car selling for around $2.4 million when currency conversion and taxes are taken into account. That’s only a base price too, as Aston Martin offered plenty of optional extras for owners who wanted to customize their car even further. However, those aren’t the most astonishing figures tacked to the Vulcan. The car’s price tag is perhaps more jaw-dropping: $3.4 million.
Since that time, very few Vulcans have turned up in public sales, but they’ve also had trouble finding buyers, suggesting that everyone who wanted one of these incredible machines made sure they were in line from the very beginning. Perhaps unsurprisingly for such a milestone car, the Vulcan has held its value very well in the years since its initial release, with build number 15 currently for sale at the time of writing for £2,500,000 (around $3.02 million). The car sports just 90 kilometers on the odometer, or around 56 miles.
Optional Upgrades and Personalization
If, for some reason, any Vulcan owners took one look at their car and thought it wasn’t fast enough, then Aston Martin also offered an AMR Pro upgrade that promised to make the car even more extreme. An enhanced aero kit was included to produce extra downforce, and a new, dual-plane rear wing was fitted which optimized the design of the original. The engine cover was also redesigned to reduce weight by an extra 5 kilos (11 pounds), and the changes helped improve the car’s balance even further.
The company claims that by shifting the “center of pressure” closer to the middle of the car, the AMR Pro’s traction, steering response, and front-end grip are all significantly improved over the standard Vulcan. This upgrade was made available to any Vulcan owners through Aston Martin’s Advanced Operations division, although it’s not been made public exactly how many owners chose to take their car in for the conversion. The cost of the AMR Pro conversion was also never publicly disclosed, but if you’re wealthy enough to own a Vulcan in the first place, then let’s face it, it’s unlikely that you’d need to ask.
Ownership Privileges and Track Events
Evidently, the owner of the car didn’t spend much time (if any) in it since it was delivered in August 2016, and that seems like a shame. Although you could describe the Vulcan as a kind of automotive art piece, the point of its development was to be the ultimate track day weapon. It was designed to be driven, although it seems not every owner got the memo. Hopefully, its eventual new owner will do more than leave it sitting in a climate-controlled garage somewhere.
Like the Ferrari FXX, 599XX, FXX-K, and the McLaren P1 GTR, the Vulcan must be approved by the factory to drive on track day events. However, unlike those cars, Vulcan customers can keep the car in their possession.
Conclusion
The Aston Martin Vulcan is a true engineering masterpiece that epitomizes the pinnacle of hypercar performance and exclusivity. With its monstrous naturally aspirated V12 engine, race-derived aerodynamics, and bespoke chassis, the Vulcan delivers an unparalleled driving experience on the track. Despite its eye-watering $2.3 million price tag, the limited production run of just 24 units solidifies the Vulcan’s status as a highly coveted and rare automotive jewel.
While the Vulcan’s daunting performance and handling characteristics present a thrilling challenge for skilled drivers, its exclusivity and pedigree make it a true collector’s item. Owners of this remarkable machine are granted access to an elite ownership experience, complete with track events and personalization options, ensuring that the Vulcan remains a prized possession for the fortunate few who can call themselves its custodians.
