Aston Martin to Showcase One-77 at Canadian International Auto Show

Irvine, CA, 10 February 2012 – Aston Martin will premiere the company’s ultimate supercar; the One-77 at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto next week as the 750bhp sports car makes its public debut in the region.

Joining the British marque’s presence at the show in conjunction with dealer partner Aston Martin of Ontario, the appearance marks the culmination of a One-77 tour of the Americas which started late last year and affords Canadian enthusiasts a rare opportunity to see the car in person. The One-77 will be joined on the stand by a new Virage and V8 Vantage S, both of which were launched last year.

The One-77 is testament to Aston Martin’s combination of advanced technological processes and highly skilled workforce. Formed around a full carbon fiber monocoque, the One-77 is immensely strong and light, with 3,500 carbon fiber elements combined to make up the car’s structural elements. Giving added resonance to the car’s appearance in Toronto, this carbon fiber basis has been developed and produced in conjunction with automotive specialists, Multimatic (MTC) of Canada.

Julian Jenkins, Vice President Aston Martin the Americas said: “Whilst our time with the One-77 in this region was limited we were keen to show this very unique Aston Martin in Canada before it returns to the UK and the Canadian International Auto Show offered the perfect showcase.

“We are therefore delighted, in conjunction with our dealer partner Aston Martin of Ontario, to offer enthusiasts the opportunity to see the One-77 for the first time in Canada.”

Aston Martin’s design and engineering teams have overseen the intense One-77 development program throughout the three years it has taken from the car’s initial conception in October 2007 to commencing the first production of the strictly limited 77 examples in late 2010.

The example of the One-77 to be displayed in Toronto is the final pre-production engineering development car, which has covered some 14,000 miles incorporating extensive endurance testing at Nardo in Italy and the Nürburgring in Germany. While the car will not be offered for sale in Canada this pre-production car showcase offers an insight into the testing and development carried out on the One-77 project, with this particular car still having been painstakingly assembled over approximately 2,700 man-hours by a team of 27 technicians inside a purpose-built facility at Aston Martin’s Gaydon, England headquarters.

The One-77, powered by a 7.3 liter V12 engine producing 750bhp and 553lb.ft of torque, is being built to order for no more than 77 customers and is Aston Martin’s ultimate expression of design, engineering and craftsmanship. With its handcrafted aluminum body and full carbon fiber monocoque chassis, the One-77 is the most powerful naturally-aspirated road car in the world today.

Let’s face it, the auto industry has gone through some rough times as of late but has somehow managed to weather the storm. But one has to reflect that it also saw some tremendous growth in the decade prior to the economic “adjustment” of 2009 and yet, 2010 saw some companies having to deal with their shortsightedness, arrogance and complacency.  Hopefully, lessons were learned.

Let the Awards begin -

First up was the ecoEnergy Awards for the most fuel efficient vehicles. Of the twelve most fuel efficient models, only two were diesel.  Sadly, I feel we are only paying lip service to the importance of finding more economical means to propel vehicles. When hybrid vehicles come with a premium price, not many people are going to be lining up to buy them. When the public doesn’t appear to be interested in hybrid vehicles regardless of price, we are going to be forever in the gasoline rut. Having just returned from a trip to the UK and seeing the number of diesel powered vehicles, I can’t help but wonder what message we in North America are missing. Let me explain something, I rode in many a diesel powered vehicle while in the UK. They were fast, powerful, didn’t smell, and didn’t sound different and the resale value was as good as any other vehicle. The British pay over 2 dollar a litre for petrol and diesel, so they don’t give much thought to the economy of Diesel – it’s a given.  Perhaps, when the price of fuel exceeds $2 per litre here, people may wake up. To find out more and see the award-winning vehicles  visit – ecoENERGY.

Next up – the Automobile Journalists’ Association of Canada’s Technology, Best new Design, Truck and Car awards. The Technology Award went to Ford for its inflatable rear seat belts. The Best New Design went to the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. The Truck of the Year award when to Ford for the Ford Edge and the coveted Car of the Year awards when to General Motors for the Chevrolet Cruz. For the full list of winners – AJAC awards

CLICK HERE for pictures from the awards and media presentations