French watchmaker Bell & Ross has revealed its new AeroGT concept, billed as a modern supercar that draws inspiration from aviation and 1950s grand tourers.
As a design project intended to inspire new watches, Bell & Ross creative director Bruno Belamich said the AeroGT’s aim was to “hold its own” among more traditional rivals. If produced, power would come from a twin-turbo 4.2-litre V8 engine, mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox. Delivering 594bhp, claimed performance figures include 0-62mph in less than three seconds and a top speed near 200mph.
Sitting extremely low, the 4.7-metre long car features sharp angles throughout, razor-thin wing mirrors and a drop-shaped glass roof, intended to replicate the glass cover of a jet cockpit.Continuing the aviation theme, there are turbine-style wheels and large exhaust pipes, apparently reflecting turbojet engine exhausts. The AeroGT also has a rear fin reminiscent of a plane’s vertical stabiliser.
The reveal isn’t the first time that Bell & Ross has dabbled in automotive design: it launched a similar design concept of the B-Rocket motorbike in 2014. Also drawing on aviation, the B-Rocket was built by British customer bike builder Shaw Harley-Davidson.
Bell & Ross has cameoed in manufacturers’ previous designs; in 2010, the Peugeot SR1, a hybrid three-seat roadster concept, featured a dash clock which was actually a Bell & Ross removable watch.
See more of the AeroGT concept in the official launch video, below.
