Page 1 of 2 Next >> Since returning to motorsport in 2005, Aston Martin has been one of the most prolific manufacturers of racing cars. Aston Martin Racing (a joint venture with racing experts Prodrive) soon after offered a model for each of the four major GT categories, while the works team focuses on top level prototype racing. After fielding an Aston Martin engined and modified Lola chassis for two years, drastic rule changes ahead of the 2011 season encouraged the British manufacturer to develop a new prototype racer from the ground up.
The single biggest revision to the LMP1 regulations was a drastic displacement reduction for all three types of engines, which rendered the V12 previously used by Aston Martin obsolete. The limit was now set at 3.4 litre for naturally aspirated petrol engines, 2 litre for forced induction petrol engines and 3.7 litre for turbo diesel engines. With an eye on the road-car line-up, a petrol engine was the only way to go for Aston Martin. While other manufacturers developed either a naturally aspirated V8 or a turbocharged 'four', AMR surprised the racing world by going for a 2-litre straight six.
Although Prodrive was well versed in developing existing designs into race and rally winners, designing a sports racer from the ground up was a new challenge. A further complicating factor was that the project did not get the green light until late in 2010. By that time rivals Peugeot and Audi were already out testing their new-for-2011 designs. It was designated the 'AMR-One', which should not be confused with the AMR1 of, which was the last prototype built and raced by Aston Martin. The plan was to build a total of six cars to be used by the works team and favoured customers.
Due to time and budgetary restraints, the AMR-One was developed entirely using the latest computer technologies and many components were first created by a 3D-printer for mock-up purposes. The result was a very unusually shaped machine with a tall belt-line and an intricate and beautifully sculpted cooling architecture. By contrast both the Peugeot and Audi designers have focused on making their cars as low as possible. The front is dominated by a very tall nose that separates the two air-intakes. These feed fresh air to the various side-pod mounted radiators. The hot air exits just ahead of the rear wheels. Page 1 of 2 Next >>
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Since returning to motorsport in 2005, Aston Martin has been one of the most prolific manufacturers of racing cars. Aston Martin Racing (a joint venture with racing experts Prodrive) soon after offered a model for each of the four major GT categories, while the works team focuses on top level prototype racing. After fielding an Aston Martin engined and modified Lola chassis for two years, drastic rule changes ahead of the 2011 season encouraged the British manufacturer to develop a new prototype racer from the ground up.