Aston Martin is not above looking over its own shoulder to its glorious past for inspiration, witness the DB AR1, a modern roadster that totally eliminates the top and all related mechanisms. Based on the current production DB7 Volante, this model (unlike last year's Zagato variation on the DB7) is aimed at the North American market. In order to make a viable business case for the project, Aston Martin's Dr. Ulrich Bez says that 66 firm orders are required to move forward on the 435-horsepower V-12, six-speed roadster and that total production will be limited to just 99 units. To broaden its appeal, Bez says that an automatic version, with ten less horsepower, could be offered.
