The Aston Martin Bulldog, styled by William Towns, was a one-off testbed vehicle produced by Aston Martin in 1979. Originally, it had been intended to be a limited run of about 25.

1980 Aston Martin Bulldog

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 1980 Aston Martin Bulldog
  • Engine/Motor: Twin Turbo V8
  • Horsepower: 600@6200
  • Torque: 499@5500
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

The code name for the project was DP K9, named after a Doctor Who character. It was built in the UK, but is a left-hand-drive car (UK cars are right-hand-drive). It has an incredibly low height at 43 inches (1.1 meters) high, and featured a sharp, distinctive gull-wing door design. The interior uses digital instrumentation and the rear view is delivered via a television monitor mounted on the center console (a later addition).

The Bulldog is powered by a twin Garrett AirResearch turbocharged 5.3 litre V8 originally with Bosch Fuel Injection. Power output on the test bed reached in excess of 700 bhp, although installed in the car this would have been in the region of 650 bhp. Whilst designed to exceed 200 mph, at the time, a maximum speed of 192 mph was recorded.