One week after Aston Martin announced they would be turning a former Royal Air Force (RAF) base into a manufacturing facility for the upcoming DBX SUV, the British luxury marque has celebrated the occasion with a special tribute to the RAF, the Aston Martin Vanquish S Red Arrows edition.
Finished in the same Eclat Red hue as the Red Arrows planes, the Vanquish S Red Arrows edition takes detail and design inspiration from the famous RAF aerobatic unit.
A Union Jack is displayed on the carbon fibre front splitter, and the side skirts feature a white and blue carbon livery representing the white smoke trail left by the jet planes.
An exposed carbon fibre roof panel includes an inlaid 'charge' pattern mimicking the canopy design of a fast jet.
Inside, Pinewood green inserts are a node to classic flight suits as well as the Martin Baker Ejection Seat fabric with the green webbing seatbelts.
The signature Red Arrows emblem of nine aircraft in diamond formation is embroidered on the seat backs, along with unique sill and engine inspection plaques, which will be signed 1 through 10, by the equivalent number pilot in the squadron.
The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team logo is embroidered on the transmission tunnel, and the rear of the cabin is finished in the 2+0 configuration, allowing for rear-mounted stowage of twin racing helmets, both finished in the Red Arrows livery. The door cards are embroidered with the 'Vixen Break,' a spectacular high-G 9-aircraft formation.
A One-77-derived steering wheel is used with the Red Arrows edition, paired with a centre rotary toggle switch inspired by aviation instrumentation, including black/yellow hatched design pattering on seat fold and door pulls.
The power plant will remain unchanged, with the 444kW, 630Nm naturally-aspirated V12 paired to an eight-speed transmission.
Ten will be produced, but only chassis one to nine will be up for sale. The tenth chassis is being gifted by Aston Martin to the RAF Benevolent Fund, a charity setup to support former servicemen and women and their families.
