Aston Martin's Dragon 88 Limited Edition, strictly limited to a total of 88 cars, will be unveiled at the 2012 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition, where the Aston Martin stand will feature a DBS Volante, Virage coupe and V8 Vantage S coupe showcasing the three limited edition recommended color combinations.

Aston Martin's Dragon 88 Limited Edition [Photo/Astonmartin.com]

Dragon 88 is reserved for Aston Martin's three models, the DBS, Virage, and V8 Vantage S. Each "Year of the Dragon 88 Limited Edition" incorporates exclusive color and trim combinations, with unique hand-crafted detailing inspired by traditional Chinese dragon imagery. Each of the 88 cars will feature details and designs that celebrate and reference the mystical qualities of the all powerful dragon symbol.

Dragon 88 has been created in honor of the Year of the Dragon, the most significant, auspicious and popular year of the Chinese zodiac. The Year of the Dragon 88 Limited Edition also acknowledges the important association between the number "8" and luck and prosperity.

Each of the flagship DBS, V12-engined Virage, and track-honed V8 Vantage S is finished in one of three exterior colors. The exquisite paint finish on the muscular bodywork is complemented by a bold interior leather color palette, accented with bright metalwork and Piano Black interior trim. Rich, deep Amethyst Red symbolizes wealth, peace, protection and intuition, while Volcano Red has been chosen to represent the fire of the dragon. Finally, a deep Champagne Gold illustrates the dragon's status and prestige, together with wealth and fortune.

The gold theme is continued with the use of 24-carat gold plate on the signature Aston Martin wing badges affixed to the bonnet and rear of each car. Hand-made in England, each badge has been nickel-coated to ensure longevity and permanence, before being plated with a coat of 24-carat gold. Bright finish front grille, bonnet meshes and side strakes are fitted as standard to all three models, standing out against the bold bodywork. Each of the "Year of the Dragon 88 Limited Edition" models also features lightweight forged wheels with a special silver finish. The three unique 10-spoke designs are paired with Black brake callipers as standard.

The interior of each car has been designed to complement the exterior paint, with bold colors that harmonize with the exterior paint. Spicy Red, Deep Purple and Chancellor Red are all dark, rich and vibrant, each designed to match a specific paint color (Amethyst Red, Volcano Red and Champagne Gold respectively). Sahara Tan thread is used on the visible stitching on the interior in order to complement the gold trim elements. On the dashboard, the facia trim is finished in Piano Black with a unique gold inlay pattern. Glass switchgear, usually not available on the V8 Vantage S base model, is used as standard.

The most striking interior feature is the headrest embroidery design, inspired by Beijing's famous Nine-Dragon Wall in Beihai Park. Built in 1756, it is one of just three of these famous decorative screen walls erected at Palaces and Gardens during the Qing Dynasty. The headrest design is based on the left-most dragon on the Beihai wall, its sinuous form rendered using four thread colors - Metallic Gold, Cream Truffle, Winter Wheat and Kestrel Tan.

Each car is fitted with unique laser-etched sill plaques bearing the number and designation of the limited edition. Finally, all 88 of the "Year of the Dragon 88 Limited Edition" customers will receive their own exclusive Presentation Box, wrapped in the same leather as the interior of their car and lined with Ivory Alcantara. The box lid bears an embroidered dragon, with the iconic Aston Martin wings embossed on to the front of the lid and a replica sill plaque on the inside of the lid. Each box contains an Owner's Guide with gold detailing, two glass ECUs with leather pouches and a pair of customised Bang & Olufsen earphones, laser-etched with the Aston Martin wings and presented in a leather pouch. Each car is fitted with the acclaimed 1000W Bang & Olufsen audio system as standard.

Astonmartin.com