Aston Martin One-77

Take one look at the stunning new Aston Martin One-77, and you know it means business. The jaw-dropping 200mph British supercar is the fastest, most powerful and priciest model ever to wear the badge – and Auto Express was given exclusive access to bring you the lowdown on it.

Conceived to showcase Aston’s cutting-edge engineering and design, the V12 One-77 is a fitting flagship. Chief executive Dr Ulrich Bez told us: “From the beginning, the vision was for the car to combine high technology with hand-built craftsmanship, and demonstrate the unique capabilities and passion of our designers and engineers. It had to be the ultimate expression of Aston Martin.”

On looks alone, the One-77 exceeds Bez’s tough criteria. Penned by design chief Marek Reichman, it’s unmistakably an Aston, but with a strong dose of muscle in its aggressive nose, bulging wheelarches and bold detailing. Yet delicate touches include the carbon fibre wing mirror supports, moulded into the door.

As you’d expect, the cabin is a masterclass in luxury. Distinctive weaved leather trims the low-slung seats, with black and white hide on the dash and centre console and a smattering of carbon fibre. The door pulls and switchgear get a polished metal finish. Look through the steeply raked windscreen, and the curvy bonnet stretches out, with polished alloy cooling vents hinting at what’s beneath. As One-77 programme manager Chris Porritt explained: “We wanted what’s under the skin to wow you as much as the exterior styling.”

It features Aston’s most sophisticated underpinnings ever, with a carbon fibre monocoque chassis and motorsport-inspired pushrod double-wishbone suspension. The latter has fully adjustable dampers – normally reserved for track cars – which buyers can have set up to suit their tastes. Huge carbon ceramic disc brakes provide immense stopping power.

However, the star of the show is the 7.3-litre V12. Developed with Cosworth, it’s the world’s most powerful normally aspirated production car engine, sending 750bhp to the rear wheels via a six-speed semi-automatic box. As with the McLaren F1, the inside of the engine cover is lined with gold leaf to protect the paintwork on the bonnet from the unit’s explosive heat.

“The brief was to take the 6.0-litre V12 as far as it could go, in terms of output and weight reduction,” explained Porritt. “The 7.3-litre is 25 per cent lighter.” Add the One-77’s 1,500kg kerbweight, and 0-60mph takes 3.5 seconds, while the top speed is 200mph-plus. A spine-tingling soundtrack is guaranteed, too. It promises to be one of the most exciting cars on the planet – and we can’t wait to drive it.

* Price: £1.2million (est)

* Engine: 7.3-litre V12

* Power/torque: 750bhp/750Nm

* Transmission: Six-speed semi-automatic

* 0-62mph/top speed: 3.5 seconds/200mph-plus