ASTON MARTIN

A BOLD CONCEPT: THE STORY OF THE ASTON MARTIN V12 VANQUISH BERTONE JET 2

At a time when Aston Martin was cementing its British luxury image with touches of American innovation under the Ford umbrella, the 2004 Geneva Motor Show unveiled an Italian surprise that blended classic heritage with futuristic design: the Aston Martin V12 Vanquish Bertone Jet 2. This shooting brake concept—a four-door sports car—based on the iconic V12 Vanquish, paid homage to the legendary original 1961 Jet, designed by Bertone for the DB4 GT chassis. With only one built, the Jet 2 represented the dream of a limited production run that never materialized, but which continues to delight collectors and enthusiasts as an emblem of the collaboration between Gaydon elegance and Turin's radical style. Valued today at over $1 million at specialized auctions, the car remains a "what could have been" in Aston Martin's history.

The Jet 2's trajectory is intrinsically linked to that of the V12 Vanquish, the car that marked Aston Martin's rebirth in the early 2000s. Developed from the 1998 Project Vantage concept, the production Vanquish debuted at the 2001 Geneva Motor Show, equipped with a 460 hp 5.9-liter V12 engine, an aluminum and carbon fiber chassis, and a Formula 1-inspired 6-speed semi-automatic transmission. Designed by Ian Callum, the model gained eternal fame as James Bond's car in the film Die Another Day (2002), driving sales to around 1,600 units by 2004. It was in this context of success that Bertone, an Italian atelier founded in 1912 and famous for collaborations with brands such as Alfa Romeo and Lamborghini, proposed a practical and luxurious reinterpretation of the sports car. To understand the Jet 2, it's essential to go back to the original: in 1961, Nuccio Bertone, the visionary at Carrozzeria Bertone, transformed an Aston Martin DB4 GT chassis into a unique model, nicknamed the 'Jet' for its futuristic aerodynamics and jet-inspired lines. Featuring a fastback roof, suicide doors, and a minimalist interior, the 1961 car was a one-off commissioned by a private client. However, it suffered a fire in the 1980s and was restored by Aston Martin Works in the 1990s. This rare icon, which won awards at concours such as Pebble Beach and Villa d'Este, served as the muse for the Jet 2, reviving the Aston-Bertone partnership that began in the 1950s with the DB2/4 Spider.

In the early 2000s, with Aston Martin under Ford ownership since 1987, the brand sought to expand its lineup beyond the two-door coupe. The Vanquish, with its advanced aluminum and carbon structure, was the ideal candidate for bodywork experiments. In 2003, Bertone, facing financial challenges but still creative under the leadership of Lilli Bertone, began the Jet 2 project as a tribute to Aston Martin's centenary (which would occur in 2013) and the 60 years of collaboration between the companies. The name "Jet 2" was a clear reference to its predecessor, promising an evolution for the 21st century: a luxury family car that combined performance with versatility for four occupants.

Presented in March 2004 at the Geneva Motor Show, alongside the Vanquish S—an updated version of the Vanquish with 520 hp and debuting at the Paris Motor Show later that year—the Jet 2 stole the show with its bodywork completely redesigned by Bertone. Based on a pre-production Vanquish chassis, extended by 210 mm in wheelbase to 2,900 mm, the concept retained the mechanical essence of the donor: a 5,935 cc naturally aspirated V12 engine producing 450 hp at 6,500 rpm and 556 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm, rear-wheel drive, and ventilated disc brakes. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in around 4.7 seconds and a top speed of over 300 km/h made it a fast shooting brake, capable of rivaling supercars.

The design, by Giuliano Toselli and his team, fused classic Aston elements with radical Italian touches. Vantage-reminiscent headlights, a traditional front intake, and stylized fender vents ensured British identity, while the fastback rear end with a wide liftgate and integrated taillights evoked the 1961 Jet. The four-passenger interior was opulent: Connolly leather, Alcantara, wood paneling, and an Alpine infotainment system, with reclining rear seats for comfort on long journeys. Curb weight around 1,800 kg, thanks to the extensive use of aluminum and composites, and 19-inch wheels in an exclusive design completed the package. Bertone envisioned a limited production run of up to 10 units, with an estimated price of $300,000—a "reasonable" premium over the standard Vanquish, for "refined connoisseurs," as the company described it.

Although applauded by the press—Autocar called it "the world's sexiest family car"—the Jet 2 never made it into production. Aston Martin, focused on the production line in Newport Pagnell (which would close in 2007 with the move to Gaydon), prioritized the Vanquish S and collaborations with Zagato, such as the one-off roadster, also from 2004. Bertone, for its part, faced financial instability, culminating in its bankruptcy in 2014.

Legacy and Contemporary Presence: A Conceptual Icon...The one-off Jet 2 survived as a concept, being displayed at key events. In 2013, during Aston Martin's centenary celebrations at Kensington Palace, it joined the original 1961 Jet and the Rapide-based Jet 2 Plus 2 (another Bertone concept from 2013), forming a historic trio. Today, privately owned, the car appears in concours delegance and auctions, symbolizing the automotive industry's "almost." Its influence echoes in later models, such as the 2017 Vanquish Zagato Shooting Brake, and in modern restorations by Aston Martin Works.

The 2004 Aston Martin V12 Vanquish Bertone Jet 2 wasn't just a concept; it was a bridge between eras, uniting Bond glamour with Italian audacity. In a world of luxury SUVs, it reminds us that true innovation can come from bold collaborations—even if they remain on paper. For Aston fans, it remains a dream on wheels, ready to be revived in an era of electric cars and limitless customization.

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