Automotive

In the hills with Aston Martin's DP-100 Vision GT concept, and Q-series rides

In the hills with Aston Martin's DP-100 Vision GT concept, and Q-series rides
The Aston Martin DP-100 Vision Gran Turismo concept was on display at a private event at the recent Monterey Auto Week (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The Aston Martin DP-100 Vision Gran Turismo concept was on display at a private event at the recent Monterey Auto Week (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
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The only place you can actually drive the GT6 Aston Martin DP-100 is on a PlayStation (Image: Gran Turismo)
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The only place you can actually drive the GT6 Aston Martin DP-100 is on a PlayStation (Image: Gran Turismo)
The proportions on the DP-100 are almost identical front to back making it hard to tell which is which when viewing from this angle (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
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The proportions on the DP-100 are almost identical front to back making it hard to tell which is which when viewing from this angle (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The Active Wheel Blades are designed to cool brakes at lower speeds, but at higher speeds the inner vanes create a flat aerodynamic surface (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
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The Active Wheel Blades are designed to cool brakes at lower speeds, but at higher speeds the inner vanes create a flat aerodynamic surface (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The DP-100's rear view mirrors have been replaced by small cameras hidden under the floating fender section (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
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The DP-100's rear view mirrors have been replaced by small cameras hidden under the floating fender section (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The Active Air Blades and other concept ideas could eventually see their way into future production cars (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
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The Active Air Blades and other concept ideas could eventually see their way into future production cars (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
Tall and long, the concept’s proportions are future-world fantastic (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
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Tall and long, the concept’s proportions are future-world fantastic (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
Even though it's just a concept, this is the first time Aston Martin has presented such a radical mid-engined design (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
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Even though it's just a concept, this is the first time Aston Martin has presented such a radical mid-engined design (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The DP-100 Vision GT isn't for sale, but can be customized and driven on Gran Turismo 6 for PlayStation (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
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The DP-100 Vision GT isn't for sale, but can be customized and driven on Gran Turismo 6 for PlayStation (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
Near seamless "swan wing" doors are fashioned in such a way to improve access to the cockpit area (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
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Near seamless "swan wing" doors are fashioned in such a way to improve access to the cockpit area (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The orange "light blade" LED taillights may push current design boundaries, but could one day make it into production models (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
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The orange "light blade" LED taillights may push current design boundaries, but could one day make it into production models (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
Vented wheel arches, inspired from GT racing, are designed to increase downforce and handling at speed (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
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Vented wheel arches, inspired from GT racing, are designed to increase downforce and handling at speed (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The Aston Martin DP-100 Vision Gran Turismo concept was on display at a private event at the recent Monterey Auto Week (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
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The Aston Martin DP-100 Vision Gran Turismo concept was on display at a private event at the recent Monterey Auto Week (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The DP-100's split rear wings are integrated as a one piece unit into the car's rear quarter panels and bumper (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
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The DP-100's split rear wings are integrated as a one piece unit into the car's rear quarter panels and bumper (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
From the back, the massive rear diffuser ledge can be seen on the non-driving GT6 concept (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
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From the back, the massive rear diffuser ledge can be seen on the non-driving GT6 concept (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The signature Aston Martin grill made its way into the DP-100's final design, but just barely (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
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The signature Aston Martin grill made its way into the DP-100's final design, but just barely (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The Alloro green and yellow Vantage GT coupe is configured and colored to pay homage to the brand's 100 year history (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
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The Alloro green and yellow Vantage GT coupe is configured and colored to pay homage to the brand's 100 year history (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A topless Aston Martin enjoying the heat in sun-scorched California (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
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A topless Aston Martin enjoying the heat in sun-scorched California (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A race-tweaked GT4 Vantage was one of the more extreme models in the courtyard (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
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A race-tweaked GT4 Vantage was one of the more extreme models in the courtyard (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The GT4 Challenge racecars are competing in the series of the same name this year (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
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The GT4 Challenge racecars are competing in the series of the same name this year (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
An aerial view over the big carbon fiber wing of the GT4 racer (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
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An aerial view over the big carbon fiber wing of the GT4 racer (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A look at the speed racer interior of the GT4 track race car (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
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A look at the speed racer interior of the GT4 track race car (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The GT4 is a stripped down racer, finished with a number of critical racing components and suspension upgrades (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
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The GT4 is a stripped down racer, finished with a number of critical racing components and suspension upgrades (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A stunning silver Aston Martin DB9 was one of the cars I unfortunately didn't get to drive (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
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A stunning silver Aston Martin DB9 was one of the cars I unfortunately didn't get to drive (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A dozen or so Aston Martins greet guests in the dusty, hot hills outside of Monterey earlier this month (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
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A dozen or so Aston Martins greet guests in the dusty, hot hills outside of Monterey earlier this month (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A trio of assorted Aston Martins were available for invited guests to drive at the "drive and view" event in Monterey (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
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A trio of assorted Aston Martins were available for invited guests to drive at the "drive and view" event in Monterey (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
This new "China Grey" V12 Vantage S Roadster, with red carbon fiber and 565 bhp, made its global debut at Pebble Beach (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
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This new "China Grey" V12 Vantage S Roadster, with red carbon fiber and 565 bhp, made its global debut at Pebble Beach (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The red carbon fiber is visible in the V12 Vantage Roadster's front splitter (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
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The red carbon fiber is visible in the V12 Vantage Roadster's front splitter (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The Vanquish is powered by a 6.0-liter V12 that sends 568 bhp to the rear wheels allowing it to hit 0-60 in 3.6 seconds (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
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The Vanquish is powered by a 6.0-liter V12 that sends 568 bhp to the rear wheels allowing it to hit 0-60 in 3.6 seconds (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A very personalized graphic treatment on the door liner of the Q-series Vanquish (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
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A very personalized graphic treatment on the door liner of the Q-series Vanquish (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The Q moniker is synonymous with James Bond and Aston Martin (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
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The Q moniker is synonymous with James Bond and Aston Martin (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
Customized luggage is another part of the Q-series upgrade (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
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Customized luggage is another part of the Q-series upgrade (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The roofliner on this Q-series Vanquish featured an unconventional graphic treatment not normally found in an Aston Martin (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
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The roofliner on this Q-series Vanquish featured an unconventional graphic treatment not normally found in an Aston Martin (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The Q-series upgrade allows customers to customize their vehicles to a new level (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
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The Q-series upgrade allows customers to customize their vehicles to a new level (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The Q-series Vanquish featured a number of bespoke design gestures, including a customized carbon fiber lower lip (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
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The Q-series Vanquish featured a number of bespoke design gestures, including a customized carbon fiber lower lip (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
View gallery - 34 images

During the concept lawn show at Pebble Beach’s Concours d’Elegance a few weeks back, Mercedes-Benz’ Gran Turismo inspired AMG VGT literally stole the show. But while that PlayStation concept enjoyed its 15 minutes of fame down by the Pacific, another GT6 concept was enjoying its North American debut at a private event up in the sun-scorched hills east of Monterey. Aston Martin had invited a select group of media and clientele to not only drive and experience cars like the Vanquish and V12 Vantage S, but also to view firsthand the digital-inspired awesomeness that was the DP-100 Vision Gran Turismo.

The DP-100 Vision Gran Turismo (which in the game features an 800 hp, twin-turbo V12) made its global debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed last month in England. "The car is not just an exercise in entertaining the whims of the GT6 set," notes Matthew Clarke, PR & Brand Communications Manager for Aston Martin The Americas. "The car, which is only drivable in PlayStation’s Gran Turismo 6, actually allowed the design team to have some fun/break the rules, while exploring future design concepts."

The Active Wheel Blades are designed to cool brakes at lower speeds, but at higher speeds the inner vanes create a flat aerodynamic surface (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The Active Wheel Blades are designed to cool brakes at lower speeds, but at higher speeds the inner vanes create a flat aerodynamic surface (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)

Unlike the Mercedes-Benz GT6 concept, Aston Martin kept its concept in the shade, protected from the intense California sunshine. Although the DP-100 may look ready to go it is just in fact a rolling four ton concept.

"The car, albeit a fantasy based vehicle for GT6, has allowed our designers to experiment,” says Clarke. “The DP-100 concept, as extreme as it may be, does in fact carry with it a number of signature Aston Martin design elements. The orange 'light blade' LED taillights may push current design boundaries, but could one day become possible in production models."

Clarke noted that Aston Martin has worked closely with Gran Turismo since the game’s conception, so this clearly was not the company's first PlayStation rodeo. The concept, which took the design team over six months to produce, is a fairly substantial machine in person.

Taller and longer than I expected, the concept’s proportions are future-world fantastic and the first time Aston Martin has presented such a radical mid-engined design. The floating front fenders flare up from the descending hood line, a departure from Aston’s normal ascending treatment highlighted by Clarke. The hoodline starts so low in the front that you can hardly see the signature Aston Martin grill, but that glorious line carries uninterrupted in one fluid motion from tip to tail.

Tall and long, the concept’s proportions are future-world fantastic (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
Tall and long, the concept’s proportions are future-world fantastic (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)

In the tail end of those winged fenders are rear view cameras which act as mirrors. Vented wheel arches, inspired from GT racing, are designed to increase downforce and handling at speed, while near seamless "swan wing" doors are fashioned in such a way as to improve access to the cockpit area.

The rear fender treatment is equally complex, as the shape flares out into a floating wing up top. This surface covers the LED taillights then snakes and wraps itself in and around the rear section. Twin exhaust pipes recessed into a tapered, vertical element are situated low in the tail, right above the concept’s massive rear deck that resembles a yacht’s boat launch.

The massive turbine wheels, that look ready to devour lesser machines, possess some interesting dual-purpose aerodynamics. Aston Martin calls them Active Wheel Blades.

"At lower speeds the design provides cooling to the brakes," explains Clarke. "But at higher speeds, the inner vanes help develop a high pressure system inside the cavity that in turn creates a pressurized area that behaves like a flat disc. The pressure system thus increasing the car’s aerodynamics and reduces drag around the wheels."

Away from the DP-100 concept, guests were invited to inspect limited edition and bespoke versions of Aston Martin's performance line. To tempt those with sufficient liquid assets to acquire such machines, finely polished examples were laid out. These included a V12 Vantage S roadster, a Vantage GT4 race car, an Alloro Green Vantage GT, a couple of DB9s in various trim levels, and a 568 hp Vanquish.

A trio of assorted Aston Martins were available for invited guests to drive at the "drive and view" event in Monterey (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A trio of assorted Aston Martins were available for invited guests to drive at the "drive and view" event in Monterey (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)

In addition to the usual suspects, Clarke also showed me examples of the brand’s Q series. A burnt orange Q-treated Vanquish Coupe had received radical graphic treatments to the car’s door liners, seats and roofliner. Priced at around US$395,000, the car also comes with its own bespoke luggage in the boot.

To see the GT6 Aston Martin DP-100 in digital action, check out the video below. Those interested in experiencing the mid-engined, 800 hp DP-100 concept themselves, can head to their nearest PlayStation console and download the car.

Aston Martin DP-100 Vision Gran Turismo: Unveiled at Goodwood

View gallery - 34 images
1 comment
1 comment
Griffin
"The pressure system thus increasing the car’s aerodynamics and reduces drag around the wheels."
Not exactly the King's English there- nothing new,either. The last time I heard this, it was much better described.
I doubt this spokesman knew anything behind it except vague principles.
Anyway, these cars are made to LOOK fast, not GO fast. Most cars like this will never go over 125(mph) and really will almost never even be driven.
How much without the luggage?
Shoot, it should come with a van and a porter for at least a year at that price....