We've been waiting nearly seven months for the ultra-exclusive Aston Martin One-77 luxury supercar finally to be introduced to the world. If you haven't already put in your down payment and have a spare $1.43 million lying round, now may be the time.

Aston Martin is billing the One-77 -- which is being revealed at the 2009 Geneva show after several teases -- as the ultimate expression of its automotive know-how, with performance potential that eclipses any other Aston ever made. For a rumored 1.02 million pounds ($1.43 million at current exchange rates), we certainly hope so. Aston promises us the car will be rolling artwork as well as an incredible performance machine.

To make it so, the folks at Aston shipped their 6.0L V-12 motor off to famed engine-builder Cosworth for an upgrade. What they got back was a 7.3L V-12 monster that reportedly will make more than 700 hp and 500 lb-ft of torque in its final tune. As if that weren't enough, Cosworth reduced the mass of the engine by 25% and fitted it with a dry-sump oiling system that will allow Aston to mount it almost 4.0 in. lower in the car than any other V-12 has ever been mounted in an Aston. In addition to reducing the engine's weight and lowering its mounting point, Aston also pushed it back over 10 in. behind the front wheel centerline for better front-to-rear weight balance.

The mighty V-12 will put its power to the ground through an upgraded version of Aston's paddle-shifted sequential six-speed manual gearbox that's been built to handle the power. Big 335-width tires wrapped around 20-in. wheels will try to keep the power in check at the rear while 225-width tires on 20-in. wheels up front will try to keep everything going the right way. It won't be an easy task, not with all that power and a car that weighs only 3307 lb. Aside from losing weight under the hood, Aston also pulled down the curb weight by working with a company called MTC to build the One-77's monocoque chassis entirely out of carbon fiber. Aston Martin says that, though the specifications haven't been finalized yet, the car should roar from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.5 sec and reach speeds of over 200 mph.

When designing the One-77, Aston wanted it to be as much about performance as it is about luxury. To that end, they paid careful attention to Europe's DTM racing series and borrowed some of the technology used on the DTM cars. This resulted in a double-wishbone suspension setup being used at all four corners, with inboard-mounted springs and shocks actuated by pushrods in the rear. The setup reportedly reduces unsprung weight in the rear and allows for better packaging, much like on a race car. It's also really, really cool.

Article key :  Aston Martin, Aston Martin One-77, New Car, 2009, 2010