Filed under: Concept Cars, Sports/GTs, Supercars, Aston Martin
If only: The Aston Martin DB-ONE
click above image for gallery
We certainly don't want to be called out for complaining about Aston Martin's current crop of designs. Were we to win the lottery tomorrow, the Aston Martin V8 Vantage would be high up on our list of cars to purchase the day after tomorrow. That said, we've lived with the Aston Martin's corporate style for a few years now, and at some point the next generation needs to be confronted.
When the time comes, Aston Martin should give this guy a call. Ruben Vela is a Spanish designer who just received his Masters Degree in Automotive Design last year from Polytechnic University in Valencia. He created the DB-ONE Concept you see above (and in the high-res gallery below). Vela says that the design's most important element is "dynamism", kind of a subtle tension between the car's surfaces and lines that gives it an energy even when static. The front grille is much larger than current Aston models and becomes the focal point of the DB-ONE's front end, while the narrow slit headlights ensure that the massive expanse of sheetmetal presents a dominant front end. A true two-seater, the DB-ONE's windshield extends up and over the cockpit to let the sun shine in, as well. The extremely tapered rear is probably the least production feasible element on the car, though it definitely adds to the "static motion" theme.
Check out more pics of the Ruben Vela's Aston Martin DB-ONE Concept in the high-res gallery.
[Source: Car Body Design via DieselStation]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Otis 3:52PM (5/25/2007)
It doesn't seem classy enough to be an Aston Martin
Maybe TVR should hire the guy
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Christian 3:55PM (5/25/2007)
Sweet Design, but I think it's to radical to be an Astin Martin. Astin's have that sexy playboy look to them more so than the sleek super car image. This design is nice, but I think it would come across better as the next Supra or NSX.
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Jack 3:55PM (5/25/2007)
No!
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ruggels 4:12PM (5/25/2007)
chrysler and ford called, they want royalties for the cloning of their firepower and GTR1 designs respectively.
thanks in advance
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Geek 4:13PM (5/25/2007)
Caramba!
Where will this guy be when “Batman 2015” comes around?
Where were you when “Batman X” was in production? Ah, that’s right, still in school...
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Mick 4:26PM (5/25/2007)
Looks like and an American Pit Bull Terrier.
Should be put-down now!
Mick
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Steven T. 4:38PM (5/25/2007)
Um, that's like REALLY ugly. That design would single-handedly kill Aston Martin.
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ruggels 4:54PM (5/25/2007)
csudhoff, please refrain from advertising your blog until it looks at least half as good as autoblog... we're past those trite early car blog designed sites now :).
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TheMadRonin 5:36PM (5/25/2007)
It's not an Aston Marin with out the front fascia. Nice try, though.
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Dan 5:41PM (5/25/2007)
pure trash. very few automotive designers have a clue what they are doing.
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AMcA 8:04PM (5/25/2007)
Rueben Vela - I think if you rearrange the letters (in Spanish, of course) that spells "Chris Bangle".
Ick.
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ex-g35-owner 9:32PM (5/25/2007)
looks kinda like a BMW Z4.
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Paul 9:43PM (5/25/2007)
Even though this is a very rough and seemingly unfinished design, I'm all for giving new talent a boost. This is a nice effort by the lad, and he obviously put a lot of time into it.
However, I could go through cardesignnews.com's portfolio section and come up with a 100 people more worthy of a feature.
But, instead of criticising and ranting (something that is hardly productive), I propose this: a weekly auto design spotlight feature, along the lines of the now-defunct RR of the day. Take submissions, post them, put them up for critique. There is a lot of untapped talent out there - heck, maybe in 30 years Autoblog can lay claim to launching the career of the next Giugaro. :)
Whaddya say fellas?
-ez
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Bart 1:22PM (5/26/2007)
This is someone who totally doesnt understand 'design philosophy'. I think the only reason people are impressed is because it's 3D modelled. Well folks, 3D modelling is hardly anything special these days.
If it takes this to get a Master's Degree in design, where do I sign up?
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nissanfreak87 6:47PM (5/26/2007)
As a transportation design student, I can respect the quality of the design and how he's pushing the limits of current designs, but it's too aggressive for Aston Martin. They are some of my favorite cars and I've always loved their smooth, elegant lines, this car seems to harsh for AM and without the front facia design, it isn't one. I understand how hard it is to keep a company's design language going while pushing the limits, especially one that is renowned for their design, 99% of people can't do it, that's why there are so few car designers out there, and I'm blessed to be one of them, but this just doesn't seem to have it.
to me it's a cool design if a bit impractical, as are all concepts, but it just isn't an Aston Martin, C+
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Mr K 3:21PM (5/27/2007)
I agree with many of the comments, while this is a very well created portfolio item, it is missing that X factor to make it a real Aston.
The soft sexiness of Aston has been replaced with the hard angular edginess of a TVR - it shares to many features with Toyota's new Supra not to mention other brands.
This kid has a HUGE future ahead of him, and it could well be with Aston - under their guidance I'm sure he could come up with a fantastic new DB
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John Bryans Fontaine 7:29PM (5/27/2007)
This Aston looks better suited to James Kirk rather than James Bond.
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Leonard 3:41PM (5/31/2007)
It looks like Marvin the Paranoid Android from the Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy movie.
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BRUNO TULLIANI 7:48PM (5/31/2007)
This car has lots of potential........i think that was a great effort to think outside the box......
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Gamera 4:02PM (6/02/2007)
Its not really the kind of car I'd like to see from Aston. Maybe from Lamborghini or some other group. I like the classy lines Aston is known for and the idea of Prodrive being able to up the performance for those who want it, is a great next step. For my money, I'd take the Prodrive V8 Vantage http://www.motorator.com/blog/european-car-performance-parts/aston-martin-v8-vantage-performance-parts-from-prodrive/
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