About Aston Martin DB AR1
Introduced in 2003, the DB7 Zagato relinked the relationship between Aston Martin and the Italian coachbuilder. Soon after the coupe, a convertible version was introduced: the AR1.
There were only 99 DB AR1 models produced. The open-top version of the DB7 Zagato was based on the Aston Martin DB7 Vantage Volante and featured a revised body style and several dynamic elements. The lightweight roadster was unveiled at the Los Angeles Motor Show in 2003 and it was designed for the U.S. Customers.
The front of the car was similar to the DB7 Vantage Volante, featuring the same headlights and the specific Aston Martin grille. On the sides, there were new air-vents on the front fenders. The major differences from the outside were behind the doors. A double bulge on the back was extended from the end of the cockpit area to the trunk lid. The taillights were rounded, instead of the regular longitudinal ones on the DB7. A high deck-lid with an incorporated spoiler (duck-tail) was installed.
Inside, the AR1 featured only two seats with high bolstering for the bucket seats. Behind them, a padded shelf was placed instead of the rear seats. The dashboard was carried-over from the regular DB7 Vantage, with the same layout for the instrument cluster and the center stack.
From the technical point of view, the standard AR1 was unusual for the American market since it featured a 6-speed manual transmission. A 5-speed automatic gearbox was available at extra cost. The engine was the same V12 from the DB7 Vantage.