British Airways and Aston Martin have come together to design the DBS Superleggera Concorde Edition supercar to celebrate 50 years since the launch of Concorde. Although it won’t break the sound barrier. Emily Eastman reports
Luxury British car manufacturer Aston Martin has collaborated with flag carrier British Airways to unveil a limited-edition sports car that honours Concorde.
The DBS Superleggera Concorde Edition will launch later this year, when ten cars will be sold through Aston Martin Bristol – just three miles from where Alpha Foxtrot, the last ever Concorde to be built, touched down for the final time in 2003.
The special-edition supercar will feature titanium compressor blades that were used across the Concorde fleet, which comprised 14 aircraft in service.
Cruz says: “Concorde was one of the most iconic designs of a generation and will always be a hugely important part of our heritage. In our centenary year we are thrilled to partner with Aston Martin, another British brand with an established history of exceptional design and engineering, and we hope to inspire another generation of aviators and engineers through this exciting partnership.”
The course builds on British Airways’ “BA 2119: Future of Fuels” initiative and offers up to 20 17-to-18-year-olds a five-day scholarship, and up to 100 14-to-16-year-olds a one-day engineering experience.
Just before the end of 2019, British Airways marked the anniversary of Concorde’s final flight. The aircraft was retired following a fatal crash in 2000, ending the era of supersonic passenger flight that had halved the Atlantic crossing time to just under three hours.
Prior to the crash, more than 2.5 million British Airways customers experienced flying twice the speed of sound and faster than a rifle bullet. This decade, supersonic will be making its return.
Aston Martin Lagonda has been manufacturing exclusive cars and SUVs since Lagonda’s founding in 1899 and the creation of Aston Martin in 1913. The brands came together in 1947 when both were purchased the the late Sir David Brown.
In 2015, the group launched its Second Century Plan to deliver sustainable long-term growth – a plan underpinned by the introduction of seven new models including the DB11, new Vantage, DBS Superleggera and an SUV, as well as the development of a new manufacturing centre in St Athan, Wales.