Aston Martin launches the DB5 Junior

Aston Martin and The Little Car Company have announced the DB5 Junior, a two-thirds scale electric junior car.

Developed over the last 15 months as a collaboration between the two companies, the junior car is based on Aston Martin's reference 3D scan of an original DB5 to ensure complete accuracy and authenticity.

At around 3,000mm long and 1,100mm wide, the DB5 Junior is designed to easily accommodate an adult and a child side-by-side, to allow different generations to share the love of driving. An aluminium honeycomb chassis and composite body provide a very rigid platform whilst keeping the total weight down to around 270kg.

Absolute authenticity was key throughout the development of the vehicle. For example, the DB5 Junior sports the same iconic Aston Martin 'wings', 'shield' and DB5 badges as the original 1963 model.

Like its big brother, the dashboard is filled with functional Smiths instruments, which have been cleverly updated for the modern era. The fuel gauge has been converted into a battery meter, while the oil temperature now monitors the motor temperature. Finally, the same Smiths clock as seen in the original 1960s car sits proudly in front of the passenger seat.

A perfect two-thirds scale steering wheel sits in front of the dash, but now sports a racing-style quick release to make entry and exit easier for the driver.

Power is regulated by billet aluminium accelerator and brake pedals, and as you would expect there are working head lights, brake lights, indicators and a horn. The car comes in the famous Silver Birch colour as standard, with a full black leather interior and carpet set. There is even a boot at the rear for storage. 

The car sits on double wishbone suspension at the front as per the original, with the roll centre and camber gain matching the original geometry. At the rear there is the period-correct live axle, with authentic upper and lower trailing arm suspension and Panhard rod.

Power is transmitted to the ground through 10-inch wire wheels with ventilated disc brakes, complemented by regenerative braking. A removable battery pack is stored under the opening bonnet, giving 16km to 32km of driving range, depending on driving style. A second battery can be added, and each pack can be swapped for a replacement in a matter of seconds.

The Junior car also has three integrated selectable driving modes, with the first and second unlocking 1.3bhp or 6.7bhp respectively. The third setting, meanwhile, delivers what Aston Martin describes as a 'Balance of Performance', which sets the acceleration and top speed of the vehicle to be aligned with other Little Car Company models for competition on an even playing field.

A DB5 Vantage Junior is also offered, which takes the pace up a level. This elite model will offer a fourth driving mode, named 'Vantage mode', operated by a hidden 'missile' switch that doubles the power output to 13.4bhp and increases the top speed to a still unconfirmed level.

This output is now delivered to the wheels through a limited-slip differential to improve traction at high speed. Performance is further enhanced by the lightweight carbon fibre body and a second battery pack, doubling the range to 32km to 64km, depending on driving style.