2016 Aston Martin Vulcan
By Lorenzo Bianchi September 30, 2016
Just 24 examples of the Vulcan were built, each destined for track use only.
Power comes from a naturally aspirated V12 delivering over 800 bhp.
Owners can adjust performance levels through a graded scale of settings.
A Car Built Purely for the Circuit
Back in 2016, Aston Martin unveiled something that didn’t bother with road legality. The Vulcan was designed as a track-only machine, a halo project to show just how far the brand could push carbon, aerodynamics, and naturally aspirated performance.
Only 24 units were built. Each one was handed to buyers along with a program that allowed them to grow into the car — power settings could be dialed up gradually, and chassis tuning was available to match driver skill with circuit conditions. It wasn’t just a purchase, it was an initiation.
Exterior That Screams Function
One look at the Vulcan and you know it’s not an exercise in styling flair. The design is aggressive, honed for air management and cooling. A wide track, a front splitter you could trip over, and a wing that dominates the rear — everything about it is unapologetically functional.
Thin, slashed lighting elements and deep ducts leave no doubt about purpose. Carbon fiber isn’t just hidden under the paint here; it’s the language the car speaks.
Heart of the Beast: The V12
The Vulcan’s 7.0-liter naturally aspirated V12 is the centerpiece, pushing more than 800 bhp. Numbers alone don’t tell the story. It’s about the way the engine delivers — high-revving, brutal, but adjustable thanks to those graduated performance settings. Owners could start tame, then step up as confidence grew.
This calibration system meant the Vulcan wasn’t locked into a single personality. It could be savage on one track day and a bit more forgiving on another. Few hypercars offered that kind of progression.
Chassis and Dynamics
Underpinning the car is a full carbon-fiber monocoque and bodywork, making it strong yet light. The suspension was track-derived and fully adjustable, built to handle the violent loads of circuit work.
Ventilated carbon brakes were fitted to make sure the Vulcan could shed speed lap after lap without complaint. The whole package was engineered around repeatability — not just setting one blistering lap, but doing it all day.
Technical Specification
- Engine: 7.0-liter naturally aspirated V12
- Power Output: 800+ bhp
- Chassis/Body: Carbon-fiber monocoque and body panels
- Transmission: Xtrac six-speed sequential gearbox
- Drive: Rear-wheel drive
- Brakes: Carbon ceramic disc brakes
- Suspension: Motorsport-derived with adjustable settings
- Production: Limited to 24 units worldwide
- Use: Track-only, FIA-compliant safety features
















