I am in two minds about modern cars. Technological developments have been so great in recent times that it seems, too often than not, that performance dictates style. Sleek, wind-tunnel tuned lines dominate the global auto shows. Achieving the very best and most competitive 0 – 60mph (0-100 km/h) in so many seconds is today’s mantra. Don’t get me wrong, speed and performance are paramount, but…
But why do we need to sacrifice the lines of by-gone classics? (Of course, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, who am I to say that the Lamborghini Egoista is ugly?)
The Lamborghini Egoista
The all new British luxury auto brand, David Brown Automotive, (DBA) has just released the outline specs and bespoke exterior design of their magnificent new sports coupe; ‘The Speedback’. It is everything auto traditionalists like myself have hoped for, as David Brown himself explains: “I wanted all the impact and style of a classic sports car, but with modern capabilities and conveniences. This is what I want in a car, but it’s not something anyone really offers. So, I’ve created it myself.”
The Speedback name perfectly reflects the classic sports car tradition of the past, whilst also doing justice to the sophisticated silhouette of the car’s hand-built body and unique styling…
Alan Mobberley and David Brown
Hot air or reality? Let’s look at his strategy. The chassis and power-train will be from the acclaimed Jaguar XKR, optimized specifically by Envisage Group Engineers. So we can expect a thoroughly modern 5.0 litre Supercharged V8 engine with a 6 – speed automatic transmission. The all important 0-60mph (96 km/h) will be conquered in 4.6 sec and top speed will exceed 155 mph (248 km/h). So it has the speed.
The very British bespoke interior
But what about the looks? This high tech performance has been matched to a completely original exterior and interior design, with the highest quality materials and craftsmanship. The design team is led by Alan Mobberley, who was Chief Designer at Land Rover for 19 years. DBA has sourced bespoke British suppliers for interior trim and materials, and design has been thoroughly engineered for low volume production, combining the latest manufacturing techniques with traditional craftsmanship. In other words, it’s a limited production run and demand will be extreme. When asked about the car, the name and his dream, David Brown said this: “The launch of Speedback is the realization of a dream for me, and is the result of skillful and dedicated work by a team of highly talented designers, engineers and craftsmen. I am delighted at the reaction of the media, our suppliers, potential customers and friends. The Speedback name perfectly reflects the classic sports car tradition of the past, whilst also doing justice to the sophisticated silhouette of the car’s hand-built body and unique styling which features amongst much other detail, a fold-down picnic seat.”
“This is what I want in a car, but it’s not something anyone really offers. So, I’ve created it myself.”
Computer Generated Magnificence
What do you think?
A nod to the beauty of Aston Martin DB5, or a design throwback to a time best forgotten?
e.h reliance is a raconteur, empresario and, on a good day, a modern renaissance man (or woman). The editors at This Magnificent Life have not personally met e.h. All articles are mysteriously delivered by carrier pigeon.
