Aston Martin DB5 Junior revealed

By Lizzie Pope

| 27 Aug 2020

Classic & Sports Car – Aston Martin DB5 Junior revealed

We’ve had the Bugatti Baby and now a pint-sized version of the Aston Martin DB5 has been launched.

A joint venture between Aston Martin and The Little Car Company following a 15-month development, this around 3m long, 1.1m wide DB5 Junior has an aluminium honeycomb chassis and a composite body.

That means it weighs around 270kg, while its electric powertrain delivers 5kW/6.7bhp to the rear wheels, giving it a 30mph top speed and a range of up to 20 miles, depending on driving style.

And, of course, it is finished in Silver Birch.

The cars are designed to accommodate an adult and a child side-by-side.

Two versions of this two-thirds scale electric car will be available: the DB5 Junior and the DB5 Vantage Junior. Prices start at £35,000 and £45,000 respectively, plus taxes.

Both versions have three driving modes. There’s ‘novice’ which gives a 12mph top speed and has a remote kill switch, ‘expert’ which takes things up to 30mph, and then ‘expert’ mode, described as a ‘balance of performance’ setting in which the car’s pace and top speed can be brought in line with other Little Car Company products, for competition purposes.

In addition, the pricier Vantage cars have a further mode which unleashes double the output (10kW/13.4bhp), this engaged via a concealed ‘missile’ switch, plus these models have a limited-slip differential, a carbonfibre body and a second battery pack, to increase range to as much as 40 miles, depending on how the car is driven.

The Junior models share much with the full-size cars, including double-wishbone front suspension, and a period-correct live axle at the rear.

Inside is a perfectly scaled-down steering wheel, with a quick-release system to aid entry and exit, billet aluminium pedals, working lights, indicators and horn, an integrated bucket seat, and in the dashboard are Smiths gauges and a Smiths clock.

There’s also a hydraulic handbrake, 10-inch wire wheels and four-wheel ventilated disc brakes.

Production will be limited to 1059 examples, to match the number of original DB5s built, plus if you are already a DB5 owner, you can get a Junior version with your car’s chassis number on it.

There’s certainly been a lot of recent interest in scaled-down classics, demonstrated by the Settrington Cup races at the Goodwood Revival, Burlen’s takeover of The J40 Motor Company back in April, and an RM Sotheby’s sale dedicated to pedal-powered classics in June.

Plus, at the Concours of Elegance on 4-6 September, there’s the first Junior Concours, for the best half-scale petrol-, pedal- and electric-powered cars of all ages.

“I’m thrilled to see this new, exquisite interpretation of what is, perhaps, our most iconic model join the Aston Martin family,” said Marek Reichman, Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer of Aston Martin.

“I very much look forward to seeing these fun tributes to the timeless DB5 go into ‘service’ with owners of all ages around the world.”

Find out more here.

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