The wheel deal: Aston Martin's first motorbike is a conceptual masterpiece

British marque Aston Martin has been increasingly pushing the creative design portfolio of late. Having recently announced a luxury submarine with Triton and a hybrid-electric Volante Vision concept vehicle that takes off vertically, the luxury carmaker has revealed plans for the AMB 001－its first motorcycle, designed in collaboration with iconic British performance-engineering motorcycle brand Brough Superior. If James Bond swaps his Aston for two wheels, expect the AMB 001 to be 007's preferred ride.

"This is what we believe a cutting-edge design motorcycle should be and we are very proud to see the Aston Martin wings on a motorcycle for the first time," says Aston Martin chief creative officer and executive vice-president Marek Reichman of the vehicle, which is presented in the official Aston Martin racing colors of stirling green and lime essence, and which features matte-black wheels. "The finished product is truly a beautiful motorcycle－a design and engineering work of art."

The AMB 001 displays a level of elegance not ordinarily found on racing bikes. Beauty and power are the order of the day for this track-only racer composed of carbon fiber, titanium and billet aluminum. With a 977cc V-twin engine and a turbocharged output of 180hp, the bike boasts a strong, sculptural body form accentuated by its carbon fiber fin－a design inspired by the side strake on Aston Martin cars－that runs along the full length of the stirling green tank, passing under the saddle and out onto the rear, creating a "flowing form" along the top.

"Aston Martin may be 106 years old, but the forward momentum of this company is inspiring," says Reichman. "The same people who work on the design of our cars have worked on the AMB 001. Unlike at other car companies, our designers have the full breadth of experience and I think this is showcased in this aspirational bike."

Hand-assembled in the Brough Superior factory in Toulouse, France, only 100 models of the AMB 001 will be made. Expect to pay a little more than HK$1 million, with 20 percent value-added tax. Deliveries will begin around this time next year.

CDLP