Students at the MIRA Technology Institute (MTI) are getting the chance to explore the origins of Aston Martin’s innovation in automotive engineering after a unique ‘cutaway’ car arrived on loan from the Aston Martin Heritage Trust (AMHT).
The Vantage AM6 was one of the first of its kind to be manufactured from bonded aluminium, creating a lighter vehicle, and including an electronic differential to increase control of the power at each wheel. The sporty design, first unveiled five years ago, is being used as the basis for further models as the range evolves. The car is powered by a 4-litre twin-turbo V8 engine and has an 8-speed ZF gearbox.
Taking delivery of the cutaway, Lisa Bingley, Operations Director at the MTI said,
“We’ve had a fantastic reaction to the Vantage from our students and visitors and we’re grateful to the AMHT for enabling us to benefit from its loan.”
Lisa, a member of the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education’s route panel for engineering and manufacturing, joined forces with fellow panel member John Warden, a trustee of the AMHT, to develop STEM opportunities together and collaborate to showcase vehicles at the MTI.
Lisa added, “John told me that the Trust was reorganising its collection to make way for new exhibits and didn’t want to simply store models like the Vantage away where nobody could see them. I knew that our students would love to take a close-up view of this inspirational model and was delighted when the Trust arranged for it to be shipped over.
“Being able to access a cutaway like this enables students to see the design brought to life, examine the construction of the body, explore the interior, and take a detailed look at the engine structure and how it is joined to the chassis.”
Students at the MTI are training in automotive manufacturing and engineering including the emerging technology areas of Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CAV), plug-in and hydrogen cell technology and cybersecurity.
MIRA Technology Institute is the result of a £9.5m investment from the LLEP’s Local Growth Fund.