If I had the money, I think my first big toy (after the race car, of course) would be a submarine. The idea of flying under the waves, exploring the mysteries of the deep… it’s all just so cool. Of course, to do it up proper, you’d need the right machine, not some spartan tin can with a periscope attached to the roof. Now, it looks like Aston Martin and Triton have just the ticket with this multi-million-dollar luxury submersible dubbed Project Neptune, which was just revealed in its final production form this week.

Continue reading for the full story.

The Full Story

Aston Martin and Triton first announced Project Neptune in September of 2017, promising the same high-end luxury and performance you’d expect from Aston Martin, but stuffed into the underwater capabilities of a craft from Triton’s line of personal submersibles.

In case you were unaware, Triton is a Florida-based producer of submarines that offers a variety of underwater craft, including models for personal use, scientific exploration, and filming ventures.

Project Neptune definitely falls under the “personal use” category. It’s the kind of thing you’d launch from your mega yacht to impress guests attending your dinner party at sea on the way to Monte Carlo.

If that sounds like your kind of lifestyle, you’re in luck, as Aston and Triton just revealed the finalized design for Project Neptune.

“Aston Martin and Triton have worked meticulously to refine the detailed design of the submersible’s hydrodynamics, body styling and luxurious interior packaging,” explains the accompanying press release. The sub is said to to offer the “performance, beauty, and elegance” expected of an Aston Martin model, plus the technical capabilities of Triton subs.

Tech specs include a dive depth of 500 meters (1,640 feet), which should provide plenty of leeway when exploring your underwater environment of choice. Top speed is rated at over 5 knots (about 5.7 mph) thanks to improved hydrodynamic efficiency, a reduced frontal area, and increased power. It’ll also offer four times the acceleration as Triton’s flagship model, the 3300/3.

While it’s not quite as quick as something like the Aston Martin Valkyrie, 5 knots is still somewhat speedy for a personal submarine like Project Neptune.

Design teams from both Aston Martin and Triton worked together to produce the design you see here. To our eyes, it definitely looks sharp, with forward-swooping lower pods and carbon fiber blades on the roof. Aston says it comes with an acrylic canopy and iridium coating around the exterior.

Inside, Project Neptune can accommodate up to three people, including two front-seated passengers and a rear-seated pilot. The round canopy provides plenty of visibility around the craft, while the seats come covered in hand-stitched leather. Carbon fiber accents add a dash of sportiness as well.

Buyers will have three unique Designer Specification trim levels to choose from, each of which will offer its own unique color scheme and materials list. Further customization options will be provided through Q by Aston Martin.

Marek Reichman, Aston’s EVP and Chief Creative Officer, drew comparisons to the Aston Martin Valkyrie hypercar, saying, “we have afforded as much attention to the hydrodynamics of the underside as we have the visible surfaces. Some of that detail may never be seen, but its effect will certainly be felt.”

Aston divulges that the interior was particularly difficult to construct, as assembly required a piecemeal approach whereby components were lowered in through the upper hatch and built inside the completed pressure hull sphere.

Project Neptune will next head to the LYBRA Superyacht Show in Barcelona, Spain, as a means to float buyer interest (see what I did there?). After its public debut, Project Neptune will next head to full production status.

Order books are open now. Pricing is said to be around $4 million.

Of course, this isn’t the first time Aston Martin has ventured out on the high seas. Back in 2016, at the Monaco Yacht Show, the company debuted the AM37S, a high-performance speedboat doling out over 1,000 horsepower, capable of achieving a top speed of 50 knots (68 mph).

All told, these maritime vehicles make sense for a luxury automaker like Aston Martin, especially when you consider the company’s connection to James Bond, a well known enthusiast of high-speed powerboats and underwater escape vehicles.

But of course, it begs the question - what’s next? Perhaps an Aston Martin personal jet, or maybe even an Aston Martin rocket ship?

Fingers crossed.

References

Aston Martin Project Neptune: It’s Going to be Slow, but we Bet You’ll Want It

Aston Martin Unveils AM37 Powerboat In Monaco

Read more Aston Martin news.