Deliveries have Begun of the Much Anticipated AMB 001 by Aston Martin and Brough Superior (video review included)

The melding of two historically British marques, luxury automobile maker Aston Martin and legendary motorcycle builder Brough Superior have come together to create the all new AMB 001.

In the 1950's and 60's Aston Martin’s was in it's heyday.  It built race cars featured in James Bond and since 1982, Aston Martin has been the Motor Car Manufacturer and Repairer for The Prince of Wales. 

From 1919 to 1940 Brough Superior established a reputation for quality at a premium price building motorcycles before and during the second world war.  Famous personalities at the time such as T.E. Lawrence- of Lawrence of Arabia, owned seven Broughs, with an eighth on the way when he died from injuries in an accident. After the 40's however, the Brough Superior name sat generally in obscurity until 2008, when British motorcycle businessman Mark Upham purchased the rights to the name. Five years later, Upham brought in noted French motorcycle designer Thierry Henriette. A new version of the iconic SS100 was the result, built in Brough Superior’s factory in Toulouse, France. Currently, Brough Superior is building three models of motorcycles. 

The AMB 001 by Aston Martin and Brough Superior is the first motorcycle in history to sport the Aston Martin logo.  Combining Brough Superior's engineering with Aston Martin design led to a fascinating and very popular project -the AMB 001.

Powering the AMB 001 is an 88-degree DOHC V-twin that displaces 997cc via a oversquare combustion chamber with a 94mm bore and a 71.8mm stroke. The powerplant gets efficient semi-dry-sump lubrication, a six-speed transmission, APTC slipper clutch, and final chain drive.  Max power output is 180 horsepower, and that is achieved through the use of compressed air. A variable geometry turbocharger with a low-inertia turbine runs through an intercooler that Brough Superior claims reduces turbo lag.

Next up is the chassis, which uses the motor as a load-bearing component. The solid backbone of the main frame is CNC-machined, while the rear subframe is structural carbon fiber. The swingarm is also CNC-machined, and has a linkage system to assist the fully adjustable shock. Titanium helps flesh out the chassis.The Fior fork is a double-wishbone design-for increased stability and precise cornering from the Michelin Power Slick Evo tires mounted on machined forged aluminum wheels. There is no front-end diving when braking into corners, as the chassis is unfettered when the monobloc calipers go into action.  There are aerodynamic wings attached to the front cowl, inspired by the S-Curve on the front of an Aston Martin.  Many body parts on the AMB 001, including some hidden and structural components, are made from carbon fiber. All these weight-saving techniques leave the Aston Martin Brough Superior AMB 001 with a weight just shy of 400 pounds.

Now turn your attention to Aston Martin Racing’s traditional colors which are Stirling Green and Lime Essence, contrasting themselves with plenty of black paint.  The seat is glaringly spare, with the choice of Oxford leather, which is unusual for the track.  

The grips are leather with matching stitching. This is an influence from the Aston Martin design team, as it more resembles the seating and tactile feel you get in a high-performance luxury car.  The Aston Martin Racing supercars contribute the logos used on the fuel tank. They are laser-cut from thin metal sheets, and are covered by multiple layers of lacquer.

Each AMB 001 is individually numbered, and on the carbon fiber strip over the tank, you’ll find your position in the 100-motorcycle series.  “This is what we believe a cutting-edge motorcycle should be and we are very proud to see the Aston Martin wings on a motorcycle for the first time,” Reichman said. “In addition to applying the skills we have developed for cars such as the groundbreaking Aston Martin Valkyrie, we have also been able to bring our special expertise in the traditional craft techniques to this project. The finished product is a truly beautiful motorcycle; a design and engineering work of art.”

The AMB 001 by Aston Martin and Brough Superior is here to indulge and challenge the motorcycle connoisseur.

(video credits: Mr JWW)

AMB 001 Specifications:

• 997cc, 8-Valve, 88-Degree, V-Twin Engine
• DOHC, Water and Oil cooled
• Short Stroke Measuring 94mm x 71.8mm
• Maximum Power – 180HP
• Dry Weight – 180 KG
• Production Limited to 100 Units
• Semi-Dry Crankcase Lubrication
• 6-Speed Gearbox with an APTC Clutch
• Final Drive by chain
• Timing is Driven by a Short Morse chain
• Turbo Supercharging
• Carbon Fiber Fins
• Ultra-Lightweight Aston Martin Wings
• Price – 108,000 Euros