An Aston Martin with vertical lift? With Airbus Corporate Helicopters providing the foundation? Sounds interesting, doesn’t it?
And, yes, European aeronautical firm Airbus collaborated last year with the British automaker to come up with the ’copter, a variation on the popular corporate conveyance model, the ACH130. Tack ‘Aston Martin Edition’ to the model number, and you have your moniker.
The idea was to give type-A executive types who pilot their own Aston Martin cars another option: an Aston Martin in the sky. Those familiar with the Aston sense of style will see it fully fleshed out in the cabin, where the firm’s immediately recognizable logo stands out in relief on saddle leather upholstery, and accoutrements that include satchel-like features for storage.
The seats appear to be borrowed directly, or nearly so, from current Aston models. The powerplant of the helicopter is, of course, unchanged: the Airbus ACH130 is powered by a Safran Arriel 2D, which delivers up to 952 shp for take-off, and 856 shp for cruising.
Expect the ACH130 Aston Martin Edition to be available in the following months.