Engine: 7.3-liter, Over 700 HP

The "One-77," limited to 77 units and priced at £1 million (approximately ¥137 million), is touted as Aston's most powerful model. Despite the current economic climate, pre-orders are reportedly strong, according to a company spokesperson. Orders have also been placed from Japan. The car features a classic sports car layout with a 7.3-liter engine producing over 700 horsepower, mid-mounted behind the front axle driving the rear wheels, all wrapped in an elegant form unmistakably Aston Martin.

"Currently, 25 people are working in the design center, and five of them are dedicated to the One-77. They are designers, modelers, and colorists, all working with intense focus on this project with the goal of creating an unprecedented sports car from scratch. For example, the surfaces (body panel detailing) are crucial, requiring close collaboration between designers and modelers. The body colors and interior materials also need to be exclusive, befitting this high-priced limited model," says Marek Reichman, who oversees Aston Martin's design.

The Elegance That Defines Aston

The chassis is constructed from aluminum and carbon fiber bonded with a special adhesive. Aston Martin prides itself on this technology, which achieves both rigidity and the weight reduction crucial for a sports car. The body panels are made of aluminum, all handcrafted using the traditional British technique of hand-wheeling with rolling machines to achieve smooth, beautiful curves.

Let's hear more from Reichman, whom we had the opportunity to speak with further at the studio. "When designing an Aston Martin, there are four elements we must always uphold: feeling, power, beauty, and restraint. We believe none should be overly dominant. For instance, there are expensive four-wheel-drive super sports cars made by German manufacturers, but their designs are ostentatious and lack the refinement that Aston Martin enthusiasts appreciate. The One-77 is a super Aston, but it must not lose the elegance that defines Aston Martin."

A Design Instantly Recognizable as Aston

The One-77 revealed to the press this time is a full-scale clay model. As Reichman explains, "The design concept is the combination of two large masses: the cabin and the rear." The prominently flared rear fenders and the massive rear wheels that seem to spill out promise to transfer the 700 horsepower firmly to the road, taking the driver into an unprecedented high-speed world. The character line, starting from the grille and flowing along the sides to the rear, creates a sense of unity. The car is expected to be 100mm lower and 100mm shorter than the DBS Coupe, with a body width of nearly 2 meters.

The distinctive split headlights, a significant characteristic of the One-77, appear to be production-ready. It's a design instantly recognizable as a special Aston Martin. The complex panel configuration around them is made possible by special adhesives. The front opening, a traditional Aston Martin feature, is relatively large to accommodate three radiators, and Reichman notes, "We've designed it so this doesn't create aerodynamic drag."

Reichman, who has worked on models like the V12 Vantage and DBS for Aston Martin, has considered Aston Martin his dream car since childhood. "I had a poster of the DB4 Zagato in my room. It was masculine yet elegant – I thought that combination was superb. My favorite cars today are the Alfa Brera and 8C; I think they skillfully balance power and elegance." In architecture, he admires Santiago Calatrava, whose work is prominent globally, particularly in Spain, for skillfully incorporating structural beauty and movement. The Aston Martin One-77 may well become a sophisticated work of art comparable to architecture.