David Brown Speedback: A modern DB5

[RocZX]

he David Brown Speedback, scheduled to debut at the Top Marques Monaco show on April 17, has a similar shape to Aston Martin’s iconic DB5, but the design team says there are also cues from Ferraris and Maseratis of the 1960s.

Under the retro-styled hand-crafted aluminum body there’s a Jaguar XKR chassis and powertrain, consisting of a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 engine producing 510 PS (503hp) and 625 Nm (461 lb-ft) linked to a 6-speed automatic gearbox. The Speedback sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in a not-so-retro 4.8 seconds and can reach a limited top speed of 155 mph (250 km/h).

Like the exterior, the interior of the car is bespoke, featuring fine wood trim, leather and brushed aluminum. So why did David Brown decide the world needed this car? “I wanted all the impact and style of a classic sports car, but with modern capabilities and conveniences. This is what I want in a car, but it’s not something anyone really offers. So, I’ve created it myself,” the entrepreneur explained.

David Brown says his company won’t build more than 50 units a year in the most optimistic scenario, and that would be quite an achievement, given that the Speedback is expected to cost anywhere between £100,000 and £1 million.

CarScoops

 

[Beeblebrox237]

Give me a Vanquish. Or better yet, a real DB5.

 

[Wiegert]

Looks more like a V8 Vantage Special Series I than a DB5 thrown into a mixer along with a few Italian classics. Not to mention those wire spokes and low-profile tyres are a poor match, and the expected price range is absurdly wide.

I'll have the XKR underneath, ta.

 

[Nessy]

If the overhangs were smaller (especially the front), i'd quite like it. ^ Not keen on the wire wheels either.

 

[adam46]

I'll have the XKR underneath, ta.

Agreed. To me, it looks like a well-polished DB5 kit car. I'll never understand why people intentionally design things that look like a slightly off interpretation of something that already exists.

I just can't see anyone buying this.

 

[Ingram]

It looks like a Rockstar North version of a DB5. The overall styling is not bad per se, but not very original, and some details (the HUGE wing mirrors - that look lifted straight from a MINI - and wire wheels) just don't work.

 

[Jahgee]

It looks like a Rockstar North version of a DB5. The overall styling is not bad per se, but not very original, and some details (the HUGE wing mirrors - that look lifted straight from a MINI - and wire wheels) just don't work.

This is a Rockstar North version of a DB5

That looks like someone couldn't decide if they wanted a modern or classic Aston and said "Well I'll have both!" (Not to say that I don't like it, I think it's quite good looking, but it needs to make up its mind on when it's from)

 

[Wolfe]

I like it more than just about any other modernized retro car of the last 15 years, but now that GTP_Ingram pointed out the mirrors I can't unsee their oversizedness.

Also the transmission is lame, but I don't have £100,000 to £1 million anyway.

 

[BKGlover]

I thought the DB9 was the modern day DB5. This feels like someone trying to do what BMW did with the MINI, and badly at that. The roofline looks too low compared to the rest of the body, the grill detracts from the front, and the whole for that matter, but the biggest problem I have are the wheels. They simply don't work here, and I struggle to think of anything in the last 20 years that made them look right.

Is Mr. Brown trying to re-establish the family name or what?

 

[MedigoFlame]

There's just something about giving a modern car a classic car design that just doesn't feel right. Some cars pull it off just fine, but others aren't horrid, but they're just weird.

XCar did a behind the scenes look.

 

[Robin]

Just saw this and that 'British sportscar company' meme / image comes to mind. But seeing as its a one off rather than a production model it might work. It's more like the coachbuild than a new car.

It does look like a DB5 bodykit with slightly more modern fittings, being that its pinned to a XKR chassis ('existing' might mean the 1996 one or 2007 one) and they want six figures.... will be a hard sell. You could probably build a proper DB5 replica with a great donor car for much less.

Agreed. To me, it looks like a well-polished DB5 kit car. I'll never understand why people intentionally design things that look like a slightly off interpretation of something that already exists.

This. Just like with the Eagle speedster and that guy that did a modern interpretation of a C111 Merc.... they all just look wrong.

 

[homeforsummer]

I feel like there are better, more original places to spend a six-figure sum than on this.

And by original I don't mean an original DB5, though that would also work.

I'm sure it'll be a nice car (the Jag it's based on is nice enough) but I'd prefer something modern and classy, rather than a new car that looks like an old one.

Still, as retro pastiches go it's better than the latest MINI.

 

[niky]

The Eagle Speedster works because they didn't try to do too much with the design, they simply let it flow and run. And the wires are better because they actually look like manufactured wire wheels:

Nice, deep dish, balanced look. The ones on the Speedback lack lip. Seems like they've kept the wheel offset and hub location of the original car, which means that the bulky center hub (required to make a wire wheel capable of handling the stresses of a five-hundred plus horsepower modern car on modern tires) sits too far out.

Almost looks like there's even a hub adapter behind it... which is simply not cool on a car costing this much.

 

[homeforsummer]

Worth pointing out the Eagle is a retro design based on a retro design, whereas the Speedback is a retro design wrapped around a modern car.

As an aside, I bloody hate wire wheels. Cannot see the appeal whatsoever. The steel-look alloys that Eagle puts on the Low Drag GT look a thousand times better. Always thought old MGBs look better with steel wheels than wires too.

Two things that would immediately improve the Speedback: Smaller, bullet mirrors, and a set of steel-look alloys.

 

[Stotty]

What a complete monstrosity of a car.

The overall proportions, the wheels, the headlights, the mirrors, the tyre/arch gap, those silly retro quarter bumpers... shockingly rubbish.

Then there's the interior... that wood And if you're going to do a retro interior with loads of wood, don't combine it with modern aluminium bits and bright blue neon lighting

And just £500k

A fool and his money...

Edit...

I just saw it described as 'looking like a Chinese copy of a DB5'... which I think captures just how 🤬 it looks.

 

[05XR8]

The Eagle Speedster works because they didn't try to do too much with the design, they simply let it flow and run. And the wires are better because they actually look like manufactured wire wheels:

Nice, deep dish, balanced look. The ones on the Speedback lack lip. Seems like they've kept the wheel offset and hub location of the original car, which means that the bulky center hub (required to make a wire wheel capable of handling the stresses of a five-hundred plus horsepower modern car on modern tires) sits too far out.

Almost looks like there's even a hub adapter behind it... which is simply not cool on a car costing this much.

Other than special modern cars today like the MX5, Corvette and MINI, specialty cars like the Caterham, Superformance Cobra, Morgan etc get my respect. I could buy a "new" 1967 Mustang shell and build my own. To sell a car for this much, might as well get permission to "mould" a classic car, make up a name, fit modern engine and sell it.

 

[D.Kadettdriver]

What would be the purpose of that bench in the boot? It would be unwise to have passengers sitting there while the car is moving, unless you want to get rid of them

 

[Nessy]

What would be the purpose of that bench in the boot? It would be unwise to have passengers sitting there while the car is moving, unless you want to get rid of them

I think it's just a Royal Ascot thing.

 

[MatskiMonk]

Ewww, nice idea. But looks like a fat bloated descendant of a beautiful model.

 

[niky]

When you're sitting trackside during a road rally or hillclimb, that will actually come in pretty handy.

Of course, it'll be the most expensive folding chair there, but hey...

 

[TheCracker]

Horrendous. Burn it with fire thermite.

Wire wheels have no place on anything built after the '60's other than a bicycle.

 

[SomePlayaDude]

You all don't see what's really wrong with this?!

It needs an ejector seat!

 

[RocZX]

The ones on the Speedback lack lip. Seems like they've kept the wheel offset and hub location of the original car, which means that the bulky center hub (required to make a wire wheel capable of handling the stresses of a five-hundred plus horsepower modern car on modern tires) sits too far out.

Almost looks like there's even a hub adapter behind it... which is simply not cool on a car costing this much.

That the problem with the wheels it looks like that there hub caps/ wheel covers.

What would be the purpose of that bench in the boot? It would be unwise to have passengers sitting there while the car is moving, unless you want to get rid of them

That is so you have somewhere to seat when you wait to the tow truck cause it's a Jaguar.

 

[Spec M]

The Eagle Speedster

That's gorgeous, many likes.

 

[GTboyz]

i don't know how to react to this...

It looks both good and bad lol

 

[RocZX]

Speedback will make it's US debut in August at Quail

Speedback GT is now launching officially in the United States, after triumphing in Europe both via media reaction and sales.

Displaying at The Quail, the famed motorsports gathering located at Quail Lodge in California, the event will be the perfect place to demonstrate Speedback GT’s merits to the American media and public for the first time. Initially showcasing at the Quail Rally Welcome Reception on 10th August, it will participate in the Rally on 11th and 12th August before the main Quail event on 14thAugust where it will feature on a stand.

Company founder and CEO David Brown said: “It’s been a fantastic year for Speedback GT since its launch. Having had such a warm reception at a number of world-leading shows in Europe, it is a natural progression to bring the car to an American audience, where we’re sure there will be plenty of fans. We have already received a lot of enquiries asking when we would be bringing the car over so we’re really excited to finally be making the journey across.

“The Quail is the ideal venue to exhibit Speedback GT, with its luxurious, elegant, classic setting that encapsulate the car’s virtues and is full of true car enthusiasts.”

Priced at £495,000 (currently $753,000), Speedback GT promises exceptional performance and handling, hosting a 5.0-litre V8 supercharged unit with 510bhp and 461lb ft, hitting 0-60mph in 4.6 seconds with a top speed of 155mph.

David Brown Automotive

 

[Tornado]

inb4 Aston Martin sues the company until it stops making it.

 

[Beeblebrox237]

They've changed the wheels and now the car looks totally different. It actually looks quite good now, to my eye. It's incredible how different it looks even though the only major change is the wheel choice.

 

[BKGlover]

They've changed the wheels and now the car looks totally different. It actually looks quite good now, to my eye. It's incredible how different it looks even though the only major change is the wheel choice.

It turns out the wheels being changed didn't help it much in my eyes. To me this car simply does not work. I maintain my opinion and ask again; Isn't the DB9 a modern day interpretation of the DB5?

 

[Grandea GTR]

Those wheels. No.