Aston Martin One-77: A £1.2m work of automotive art

When Aston Martin said it was working on a £1.2m supercar at the tail-end of 2008, we almost choked on our McDonald's extra-value meal (yeah, we all share one, you got a problem with that?). After all, isn't there supposed to be some sort of recession going on? Doesn't a snarling, bellowing tarmac-shredder go against our eco-friendly ideals?

Apparently not, because the One-77 has made the transition from technical illustration to a proper rolling chassis with a running powertrain that actually works. It recently had its first public unveiling -- alongside eight other concept and prototype cars -- at the Grand Hotel Villa d’Este in Italy, where visiting members of the public were invited to cast their vote on the best concepts on display. Unsurprisingly, the One-77 was voted best in class, with more than 30 per cent of the total votes.

The name One-77 refers to the fact that only 77 of these vehicles will be built. Each will have a 700bhp+ 7.3-litre V12 engine based on the 6-litre engines fitted to the DBS, DB9 and the current V12 Vantage. This, we understand, will give the car a 0-60mph time of under 4 seconds, and a top speed in excess of 200mph.

We're still some way off confirming the tech, but we know the One-77 will have Dynamic Suspensions Sool Valve (DSSV) technology, which can modify the shock-absorbing properties of the suspension, without you having to visit your local Halfords. If the V12 Vantage is anything to go by, it'll also have a hard-disk-based sat-nav system, Bluetooth phone connectivity, MP3 player connectivity, and an optional 700W audio system with Dolby Pro Logic II.

The One-77 is yours if you can afford the £200,000 deposit and the final £1.2m price tag. In other words, it probably won't be yours. Check out the pics in our gallery, though -- there's nothing wrong with window-shopping.