Aston looks to its past to inspire new V12 roadster

Marks 10 years of Q division Likely to cost from £1.5m

- Sean Carson

ASTON Martin is the 10th anniversary of its ultra-exclusive Q division with this, the DBR22 speedster. The British company has mated design inspired by Aston's heritage to the most modern technology and performance.

Aston says the DBR22 "unashamedly speaks of tradition", with clear nods to the brand's DBR1 and DB3S sports cars from the fifties. The coach-built body is made up of a minimal number of carbon-fibre panels for a sculpted, muscular look.

A horseshoe vent in the bonnet, along with the DBR1-esque side vents in the car's front wings, helps cool the engine.

The DBR22 is powered by a 5.2-litre twin-urbo V12 producing 705bhp and 753Nm of torque. It drives the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic gearbox, and the car will streak from 0-60mph in 3.4 seconds, hitting a top speed of 198mph. Aston says the engine gives the DBR22 "a manner and delivery unlike any other model".