Aston Martin Vanquish S Red Arrows by Q is a cosmetically titivated red Vanquish

The Aston Martin: Vanquish S Red Arrows by Aston Martin’s Q division is a run of 10 cosmetically titivated red Vanquish S Models, but just nine are for sale.

We’re always a bit sceptical about ‘Special Edition’ cars from car makers like Aston Martin – especially when there is nothing changed mechanically – as they always smack of exploitation of those with a penchant for a gilded lily. Yes, even the rich can be exploited.

But we feel rather more warmly about this latest money-spinner from Aston Martin and their ‘Q Division’ (entirely coincidentally a James Bond reference) because it’s a money spinner to benefit the RAF Benevolent Fund.

Commissioned from Q by Aston Martin Cambridge (just like last year’s Aston Martin V12 Vantage S Spitfire 80), the Red Arrows Vanquish S gets an Eclat Red paint job in honour of the Red Arrows (we know, you worked it out for yourself – and Eclat (Brilliance) is their motto too) with a white ‘smoke trail’ running down from the side strakes and a touch of patriotic red, white and blue round the bottom of the car.

The roof is carbon fibre but gets patterned to resemble the canopy hood of a jet and there’s a titanium hood, with the interior getting Pinewood Green inserts and seatbelts (think flying suit colour), the Red Arrow formation ‘Diamond’ stitched in the seat backs and the back seats get lost to make room for a pair of Red Arrows helmets.

There’s also a steering wheel from the One-77 with a rotary toggle switch, black and yellow hatching on the seat fold and door pulls and the door cards are embroidered with a graphic of the ‘Vixen Break’ formation. Maybe the dash also displays ‘Chocks Away’ when you start up?

Nine of the Red Arrows Vanquish S are now up for grabs from Aston Martin Cambridge – with the 10th heading for the RAF Benevolent Fund – at prices that will be a considerable chunk more than the Vanquish S’s starting price of £200k.