The Aston Martin Lagonda (AML) vehicle dynamics team has been handed the keys to its new home at Silverstone race track in the UK.
Based alongside Silverstone’s Stowe Circuit, Aston Martin Silverstone will serve as a permanent base for the luxury car maker’s test and development programs when it becomes fully operational in December.
With Aston Martin launching a completely new car every year plus multiple special editions, the vehicle dynamics experts have a busy program of prototype vehicle testing. Silverstone’s choice of circuits and dynamic handling areas are ideal for working on chassis dynamics and high-speed handling development.
Aston Martin’s chief engineer for vehicle engineering, Matt Becker, said, “The new base at Silverstone will provide us with a reference circuit upon which to develop the next generation of Aston Martins. Silverstone is a fantastic place for us to practice the dark art of vehicle dynamics, the fine tuning that takes place to turn a good car into a great car. Our talented team of engineers and our high performance test drivers now have a racing circuit right outside the door.”
Once the refit is complete, Aston Martin Silverstone will have a state-of-the-art workshop with dedicated technicians on-site to support all activities.
Silverstone’s Stowe Circuit will be used to develop future Aston Martins including the Rapide E, the marque’s first SUV, future mid-engined sports cars, and Lagondas, to name but a few.
Aston Martin’s senior manager for vehicle engineering, Ian Hartley, is excited about the opportunities presented by the new home for his department.
Hartley said, “As our cars become even more high performance our dependency on track development becomes greater. Having the Stowe circuit and regular access to the remaining Silverstone circuits will be a great development advantage. It will allow us to refine the ride and steering attributes on the road and then very quickly evaluate the handling characteristics before making changes with the tuneables.”
Currently the team carries out ride tuning work in the UK and then travels to circuits across Europe to evaluate the high speed ride, handling and steering. Most of Aston Martin’s stability control development is done on a test track in Europe so the new UK base will be a real advantage.
Silverstone will also be used for performance benchmarking, durability testing and will be the home of powertrain systems development.
More in the November issue of ATTI.