This is Aston Martin’s newest, most intense and exhilarating creation ever, the 2016 Vulcan. Only 24 were built, probably because someone at Aston Martin’s Gaydon, England headquarters rightly judged the world simply was not ready for more. Whatever the truth may be, this track-only Aston Martin, serial number 11 of the 24 built, is one of the most exclusive automobiles in the world, capable of transporting extraordinarily fortunate souls into raptures of sound and fury unlike any other.

Developed in partnership with Aston Martin Racing, the Vulcan’s 800-plus HP naturally aspirated engine is based on that of their GT3 racer, but enlarged to a full 7.0 liters and electronically managed by Cosworth ECU technology. The Inconel and titanium exhaust system’s best feature comes during downshifts, when the side pipes crackle and pop while emitting flashes of blue flames. The Vulcan engine can be set at three output levels, allowing the driver to experience increasing power as his skill level improves with track time.

A lightweight torque tube encased in magnesium houses a carbon fiber driveshaft, which spins an Xtrac paddle-shifted 6-speed transaxle sequential gearbox. Sixth gear propels the Vulcan to a higher top speed than Aston Martin’s Le Mans GT3 racer, meaning well over 200 miles per hour.

Longtime Canadian partners Multimatic built the all carbon fiber tub using techniques learned from Aston Martin’s One77 program. It incorporates an integrated FIA-compliant all-steel roll-cage and a rear subframe designed to carry the transmission and rear suspension and handle the downforce generated by the rear wing. Speaking of downforce, the Venom generates more than it weighs at maximum speed – 3,002 pounds, to be exact, while maintaining stable aerodynamic balance front to rear under both acceleration and braking. The result is more predictable behavior and more stable driver feedback, the better to become acquainted with the car’s fearsome grip, cornering power and agility.

The Vulcan’s 4-way adjustable pushrod double wishbone suspension uses anti-dive geometry up front and anti-squat and anti-lift at the rear, with front and rear adjustable sway bars. Brembo 4-wheel Carbon Ceramic racing disc brakes are assisted by Bosch M4 motorsport driver-adjustable 11-position ABS. Michelin 305/30-19 front and 345/30-19 rear Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires are mounted on APP-Tech 10-spoke forged alloy center locking wheels finished in Satin Black and measuring 11.5-inches at the front and 12.5-inches at the rear.

Passengers are secured in full carbon fiber Recaro racing seats that use Schroth 6-point racing harnesses and are Frontal Head Restraint System (FHR) Compatible (compliant to FIA specification 8862). The Vulcan also features an adjustable AP Racing Pedal box and a steering column adjustable for both reach and height. The bespoke carbon fiber steering wheel’s key function controls include the starter button, neutral, pit lane limiter, indicator, flash-to-pass, adjustable ABS and traction control, wipers and shift paddles. Driver inputs are supplied by a Cosworth Omega dash and Cosworth aliveDRIVE data acquisition system with in-car camera and USB data download port, ideal driver training tools that allow detailed analysis of laps over time or comparison to other drivers.

Aston Martin Design has outdone itself in shaping and detailing the Vulcan. Its prominent front splitter, rear diffuser and adjustable rear wing were all dictated by aerodynamics, but the shape is undeniably Aston Martin. The pronounced curves of the heated, anti-UV wraparound front and side screens dictated the use of IsoClima’s hard-coated Polycarbonate instead of glass, but it presents other benefits as well, being 50 percent lighter and 250 times stronger than glass and providing superior shatter resistance. Lighting is also extremely advanced. The LED headlights combine daytime running lights, directional indicators, main beam and side lights. Futuristic ‘Light Blade’ lamps introduced on the DP-100 Digital Concept Car are used at the rear along with an FIA-approved rain light positioned in the center of the diffuser. And for quicker pit stops, the Vulcan contains for on-board air jacks actuated by plugging an air hose into a fitting at the rear of the car.

This is Aston Martin’s newest, most intense and exhilarating creation ever, the 2016 Vulcan. Only 24 were built, probably because someone at Aston Martin’s Gaydon, England headquarters rightly judged the world simply was not ready for more. Whatever the truth may be, this track-only Aston Martin, serial number 11 of the 24 built, is one of the most exclusive automobiles in the world, capable of transporting extraordinarily fortunate souls into raptures of sound and fury unlike any other.

Developed in partnership with Aston Martin Racing, the Vulcan’s 800-plus HP naturally aspirated engine is based on that of their GT3 racer, but enlarged to a full 7.0 liters and electronically managed by Cosworth ECU technology. The Inconel and titanium exhaust system’s best feature comes during downshifts, when the side pipes crackle and pop while emitting flashes of blue flames. The Vulcan engine can be set at three output levels, allowing the driver to experience increasing power as his skill level improves with track time.

A lightweight torque tube encased in magnesium houses a carbon fiber driveshaft, which spins an Xtrac paddle-shifted 6-speed transaxle sequential gearbox. Sixth gear propels the Vulcan to a higher top speed than Aston Martin’s Le Mans GT3 racer, meaning well over 200 miles per hour.

Longtime Canadian partners Multimatic built the all carbon fiber tub using techniques learned from Aston Martin’s One77 program. It incorporates an integrated FIA-compliant all-steel roll-cage and a rear subframe designed to carry the transmission and rear suspension and handle the downforce generated by the rear wing. Speaking of downforce, the Venom generates more than it weighs at maximum speed – 3,002 pounds, to be exact, while maintaining stable aerodynamic balance front to rear under both acceleration and braking. The result is more predictable behavior and more stable driver feedback, the better to become acquainted with the car’s fearsome grip, cornering power and agility.

The Vulcan’s 4-way adjustable pushrod double wishbone suspension uses anti-dive geometry up front and anti-squat and anti-lift at the rear, with front and rear adjustable sway bars. Brembo 4-wheel Carbon Ceramic racing disc brakes are assisted by Bosch M4 motorsport driver-adjustable 11-position ABS. Michelin 305/30-19 front and 345/30-19 rear Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires are mounted on APP-Tech 10-spoke forged alloy center locking wheels finished in Satin Black and measuring 11.5-inches at the front and 12.5-inches at the rear.

Passengers are secured in full carbon fiber Recaro racing seats that use Schroth 6-point racing harnesses and are Frontal Head Restraint System (FHR) Compatible (compliant to FIA specification 8862). The Vulcan also features an adjustable AP Racing Pedal box and a steering column adjustable for both reach and height. The bespoke carbon fiber steering wheel’s key function controls include the starter button, neutral, pit lane limiter, indicator, flash-to-pass, adjustable ABS and traction control, wipers and shift paddles. Driver inputs are supplied by a Cosworth Omega dash and Cosworth aliveDRIVE data acquisition system with in-car camera and USB data download port, ideal driver training tools that allow detailed analysis of laps over time or comparison to other drivers.

Aston Martin Design has outdone itself in shaping and detailing the Vulcan. Its prominent front splitter, rear diffuser and adjustable rear wing were all dictated by aerodynamics, but the shape is undeniably Aston Martin. The pronounced curves of the heated, anti-UV wraparound front and side screens dictated the use of IsoClima’s hard-coated Polycarbonate instead of glass, but it presents other benefits as well, being 50 percent lighter and 250 times stronger than glass and providing superior shatter resistance. Lighting is also extremely advanced. The LED headlights combine daytime running lights, directional indicators, main beam and side lights. Futuristic ‘Light Blade’ lamps introduced on the DP-100 Digital Concept Car are used at the rear along with an FIA-approved rain light positioned in the center of the diffuser. And for quicker pit stops, the Vulcan contains for on-board air jacks actuated by plugging an air hose into a fitting at the rear of the car.