Iconic Red Arrows Aston Martin 10 | 04 | 2017
THE ICONIC RED ARROWS RAF jets are to be celebrated by Aston Martin. The luxury car maker is to build 10 Vanquish S Red Arrows Edition as the latest commission for the Q by Aston Martin project: available to order at Aston Martin Edinburgh.
Not surprisingly, the cars are marked out from standard Vanquish S models with Eclat Red paint, which is the same colour used on the Red Arrows.
The cars will also carry additional exterior and interior details. These, cleverly, will include a pattern on the roof which reflects the canopy of a fighter jet and a side stripe in blue or white to illustrate the smoke trails commonly associated with the jets.
Inside the cabin of the limited edition cars, the upholstery features the same green used on the Arrows’ pilot flight suits, and Martin Baker Ejection Seat fabric. There’s also green webbing seatbelts. More impressively, the door cards and seat backs have the classic Red Arrows 'diamond' formation graphics embroidered into them.
Each car also gets a unique plaque on its engine, signed 1 through 10, by the equivalent number 'Red' pilot in the squadron.
And while the steering wheel — which is derived from the one found in the One-77 — also features RAF-inspired switchgear, the rear seats have been replaced with a stowage area for two Red Arrow racing helmets, both finished in the Red Arrows livery. And yes, you get the helmets too.
You also get the race suits and bespoke embroidered bomber jackets, a luggage set, specially designed car cover, build book and a highly-detailed die-cast 1:18 model of their car and the Hawk Red Arrow aircraft. Could it really get any better? (Related: Aston Martin's new Vanquish S soft-top)
The Vanquish S is powered by a 592bhp, 465lb/ft V12 engine capable of catapulting the Aston Martin to 62mph from standstill in 3.5secs, and on to a maximum of 201mph.
Fittingly, nine Vanquish S models mirrors the nine-aircraft formation made famous by the Red Arrows. The tenth car is being gifted to the RAF Benevolent Fund, the charity established to provide support to former servicemen and women and their families.
The limited edition is the third Q by Aston Martin Commission from Aston Martin Cambridge, following on from the success of last year's V12 Vantage S Spitfire 80 Edition, marking 80 years of the Supermarine Spitfire's first flight, and the earlier Vantage S Blades Edition, developed in collaboration with the Blades Aerobatic Display Team.
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Jim McGill