Less than six months after the world's fastest car - the Bugatti Veyron - made its India debut at a jaw-dropping price of Rs 16 crore, the bar was pushed even higher on Friday.

British super car maker Aston Martin has launched the One-77 ultra sports car at a starting price of Rs 20 crore. However, even with that kind of money, one may end up merely staring longingly at pictures, as only five of the 77 units of the 750 hp, top-of-the-range, hand-built sports car is available to order.

“One of the One-77 has already been booked by an individual in India, though we cannot disclose who it is,” said Mr Bill Donnelly, Sales and Service Director, Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd. At Rs 20 crore, one can buy several sports cars at one go, or a large apartment in South Mumbai or even small private jets like the Embraer Phenom 100 or the Bombardier Learjet 40 series.

Other models

The brand, identified with the British spy 007, has also launched other models from its range such as the V8 Vantage, Virage, DB9, DBS and the four-seater Rapide. Prices start from Rs 1.35 crore (V8 Vantage) and go up to over Rs 2.15 crore (Rapide). Only the smallest Aston, Cygnet, will not be available immediately.

In Mumbai, Aston Martin will be imported and distributed by Performance Cars, a division of Infinity Cars (BMW dealer in Mumbai). The company will also launch a Delhi showroom by end-May, operated by a company run by the same family which owns the BMW dealership, Deutsche Motoren.

roudra.b@thehindu.co.in

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