2008 Paris Auto Show: Aston Martin One-77

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PARIS — This is as much as Aston Martin wants us actually to see of the $2,100,000 Project One-77 here on the 2008 Paris Auto Show floor. Inside Line persuaded Aston's people to hike up the Savile Row tailored skirt to show us a little skin, and design director Marek Rauchman told us as much as he could without compromising his job.

Most of the story is clear already: one limited run of 77 cars, a 700-plus-horsepower 7.3-liter V12, full carbon fiber monocoque chassis, old school hand-wheeled aluminum body, and start of deliveries by October 2009. Oh, and Aston has already spoken closely with more than 77 intent customers, according to company representatives.

The current non-runner semi-exposed in Paris is not yet of the aluminum and carbon fiber variety, but is all of milled applewood, design director Rauchman tells IL. "This is the embodiment of our past and the future," says Rauchman. "There's a return to our roots with the fully hand-formed aluminum panels, and then there are all of the very latest technologies on board that such a customer demands," he says.

That technology is sure to include a fully adjustable suspension, six-speed (some say seven-speed) paddle-shift gearbox, and the ceramic brake discs seen first on 2007's DBS; do the math and you'll find that Project One-77 is five times more expensive. We also spotted fairly hard-walled 20-inch Pirelli P Zero tires front and rear wrapped around the stunning custom alloys.

Standing on the same level as the Project One-77 and then doing the same with the DBS revealed that the One-77 is a good 4 inches less in height than the DBS, wider by about 3 inches, and roughly the same length. The front spoiler lip and rear diffuser in carbon fiber betray the fact that an intensely quick machine awaits.

By Rauchman's account, using aluminum and carbon fiber in such abundance assures distinct rigidity and lightness. As for the design, Rauchman describes each viewing as "a collective dropping of jaws."

Why the name One-77? "The number 75 just seemed way too obvious and normal," Rauchman told IL. "The number 77 was just two lucky sevens. That and the actual fact that many of the toolings we use for the car have a life of just 80 or so uses."

What this means to you: You now know even more about another car that you cannot afford. Aston is entering a phase of shameless profiteering that comes of leading a life of sin. — Matt Davis, Correspondent