Yacht designer reveals stunning Aston Martin-inspired speedboat

28 Oct 2011

An American yacht designer has produced a striking concept speedboat that draws its visual inspiration from current Aston Martin models. Conceived as a tribute to and with the approval of the British marque, Luiz de De Basto’s design is his vision of what could result should Aston Martin decide to expand its portfolio to cater for the maritime needs of its customers. Following the now long established Aston Martin practice of giving some models a name beginning with the initial V, such as Volante, Vantage, Virage and Vanquish, De Basto has called his creation Voyage.

Miami-based De Basto’s aim with the eye-catching design was to represent the luxury, attractiveness and high performance of an Aston Martin on water, while also creating a boat that could be built as a fully functional marine vehicle; it thus features all naval necessities from anchor to windlass. Drawings its cues from the current V8 Vantage, Rapide, DBS and Virage, the design incorporates and mixes the cars’ roof contours, window shapes, lights (the rear ones of which are exits for engine exhaust pipes), rear bumper contour, side vents (as hull windows), bonnet vents (foredeck hatch) and a windscreen shaped to reflect the hallmark radiator grille design that has in varying forms been a feature of every Aston Martin dating back to the DB1; on the 55 foot long Voyage the latter’s frame is painted yellow and the hull in Aston Martin racing green, a colour combination used on many racing models from the DB3S to the DBR9. There is no suggestion of what might provide the motive power but an Aston Martin engine would be the obvious source – either the current 4.7 litre V8 or 6.0 litre V12, or even a brace of each – and it would not be the first such use of Aston Martin engines, its 1½ twin overhead camshaft, 16 valve Grand Prix unit of 1922 and the 5.3 litre V8 motor of 1969 to 1999 having already been used in powerboats.

The Voyage would, of course, be the natural choice of high speed vessel for James Bond but it is, like 007, likely to remain a fantasy because, sadly, neither De Basto nor Aston Martin has any intention of putting the Voyage, which currently exists only as a 3D model, into production. Interestingly, however, De Basto, who owns an Aston Martin, was quoted by future design website Tuvie as saying: “I wanted the result to be not only an interesting interpretation of the famous car lines in the water but a fully functional boat, able to be built anytime upon request.”.......