The Aston Martin Logo is one of the most recognized symbols in the car world. Those wings. That wordmark. It says British luxury without saying a word.
Within the broader history of car logos, Aston Martin’s emblem holds a special place. The brand competes with icons like Bentley and Rolls-Royce, yet its visual identity remains distinctly its own.
The current version dates to July 2022, though the winged badge goes back to 1927. Aston Martin’s design team, led by Marek Reichman, worked on the latest refresh with British graphic designer Peter Saville.
Founded in 1913 by Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford, the company has updated its logo eight times. Each version refined the wings while keeping the core identity intact.
What is the Aston Martin Logo?
The Aston Martin logo is a pair of spread wings with the ASTON MARTIN name in a rectangular panel at the center. The current version was introduced in July 2022 by the in-house design team under Marek Reichman, working with Peter Saville. The wings first appeared in 1927 and were redrawn by S.C.H. “Sammy” Davis in 1932.
| Symbol | Spread wings with the brand name in a central panel |
| Designer/agency | Aston Martin design team under Marek Reichman, with Peter Saville (2022); S.C.H. Davis (1932 feathered wings) |
| Current version since | July 2022 |
| Colors (hex) | Black #000000 and white #FFFFFF for the flat wings; solid green name panel in color versions (no official hex published) |
| Typeface | Optima-style flared sans-serif (Monotype cites URW Classico, an Optima variation) |
| Previous major version | 2003 wings, with a semicircular line through the feathers |
How Has the Aston Martin Logo Evolved Over Time?
The Aston Martin logo has changed a lot since the 1920s. The first badge was a circle before the wings appeared in 1927.
The key milestones are 1920, 1927, 1930, 1932, 1954, 1972, 1984, 2003, and 2022. Each update reshaped the wings while keeping them recognizable.
Original Aston Martin Logo (1920–1927)
The first logo was simple: the letters “A” and “M” interlocked inside a round badge. There were no wings yet.
According to Aston Martin’s F1 team, Lionel Martin’s wife, Kate Martin, led the design, and it was done in dark green. The name itself came from Lionel Martin and the Aston Hill climb where he raced. The roundel lasted until early 1927.
First Winged Aston Martin Logo (1927–1930)
The wings arrived in 1927, after new owners took over the struggling company. The full “ASTON MARTIN” name replaced the “A” and “M” monogram, set across a pair of open wings. The badge was bronze and sat on top of the hood. Its designer is unknown.
The wings symbolized speed, and they established the visual language that still defines the brand.
Aston Martin Logo (1930–1932)
In 1930, the wings got a sleeker sweep and a sharper outline, taking on more of a V shape. The typography was also freshened up, and the finish moved from bronze to silver.
Sammy Davis Wings (1932–1954)
The 1932 badge is the direct ancestor of today’s logo. Racing driver and The Autocar editor S.C.H. “Sammy” Davis designed it, giving the wings defined feathers and placing the name in a rectangle at the center.
Aston Martin says the design was inspired by the scarab beetle, which ancient Egyptians linked to the sun god and to new beginnings.
David Brown Era Logos (1954–1984)
Industrialist David Brown bought the company in 1947, which gave us the “DB” model names. From 1954, the badge added his name above “ASTON MARTIN,” with a reshaped outline.
The DB5 that appeared in Goldfinger in 1964 wore this David Brown-era badge, which is why many people picture it as the classic Aston Martin logo. Brown sold the company in 1972, and his name was later removed.
Modernized Logo (1984–2003)
In 1984 the wings were simplified and stretched horizontally, with less height, and the “ASTON MARTIN” lettering was enlarged. A green panel behind the name became part of the color version.
2003 Wings Logo (2003–2022)
The wings were modernized again in 2003, the year the company opened its Gaydon headquarters. This version had lighter outlines and a semicircular line running across the feathers.
Current Aston Martin Logo (2022–Present)
Aston Martin revealed the updated wings on July 20, 2022, as part of a brand repositioning called “Intensity. Driven.” Peter Saville, best known for his Factory Records sleeves, worked on it with the in-house team. He had said the old wings still looked “a little bit mid-century.”
The changes are subtle, in line with modern logo design principles that favor simplicity. The semicircular line through the wings is gone, the outlines are slightly thicker, the bottom feathers join so there is one fewer feather, and the green behind the name is now solid. The physical badges are handmade in enamel by Vaughtons, a silversmith in Birmingham’s jewellery quarter, and appear on cars from 2023. The Aston Martin F1 team began carrying the new wings at the 2022 French Grand Prix.
What Do the Design Elements of the Aston Martin Logo Mean?
The wings represent speed and flight. In the 1920s, aviation fascinated the car industry, and wings were a natural shorthand for performance.
The 1932 version added another layer: the scarab beetle reference and its link to new beginnings. The horizontal spread suggests forward motion, like something about to take off.
What Are the Aston Martin Logo Colors?
The current wings are a flat outline mark, so they usually appear in solid black on light backgrounds or white on dark ones. On cars they are polished metal and enamel.
In color versions, a solid green fills the panel behind the name, the one hue in an otherwise neutral color palette. Green has a long history with the brand, from Kate Martin’s dark green roundel to British racing green and today’s Formula 1 livery.
Aston Martin has not published official hex, RGB, CMYK, or Pantone values for the logo green, so any code you see online is an estimate. The black (#000000) and white (#FFFFFF) versions are the safe choices for flat artwork, ideally from vector graphics files supplied for press use.
Understanding color psychology helps explain why green, black, and metal resonate with luxury car buyers: heritage, authority, and craftsmanship.
What Font Is Used in the Aston Martin Logo?
The ASTON MARTIN lettering is an Optima-style face: a sans-serif font with stems that flare slightly at the ends, so it feels almost like a serif. Brand typography samples name Optima as the primary typeface, and Monotype identifies Aston Martin’s type as URW Classico, an Optima variation.
Aston Martin has not published a statement naming the exact typeface of the logo lettering, so treat “Optima” as the closest public answer. If you need the look, Optima itself is the nearest match.
The letters are all uppercase with generous spacing, and careful kerning keeps the name readable on a small badge. These typography elements echo the calm horizontal line of the wings. Earlier badges used more decorative lettering. The move toward simplicity mirrors broader trends in logo design.
What Are the Hidden Meanings in the Aston Martin Logo?
The wings weren’t random. Sammy Davis’s 1932 version drew on the Egyptian scarab, a symbol of rebirth.
Some see a subtle “A” shape in the overall wing form. That reading isn’t official, but it fits the brand initial.
The horizontal lines suggest the horizon and the road ahead.
The symmetry creates visual stability. It makes the logo feel balanced and trustworthy.
How Does the Aston Martin Logo Compare to Competitor Logos?
Luxury car brands tend toward similar themes. Wings, shields, animals. Aston Martin picked wings, and they’re not alone.
The logo sits between the ornate and the minimal. It’s cleaner than some competitors but more detailed than others.
The Bentley Logo also uses wings, creating obvious visual overlap. Both brands lean into British heritage and flight symbolism.
Compared to the Ferrari Logo with its prancing horse, Aston Martin feels more understated. Ferrari is loud. Aston Martin is quietly confident.
The Rolls-Royce Logo takes a different path, with its RR monogram and the Spirit of Ecstasy figure. Aston Martin’s wings are more abstract, less figurative.
The Jaguar Logo chose an animal rather than wings. Both represent speed, but through different visual metaphors.
What Cultural Impact Has the Aston Martin Logo Had?
James Bond made this logo famous worldwide. When the DB5 appeared in Goldfinger in 1964, those wings became shorthand for sophisticated cool.
The logo goes beyond cars. It appears on licensed products and branded residences.
In motorsport, the name returned to Formula 1 in 2021 with the team backed by Lawrence Stroll. A new generation now associates the wings with racing rather than just spy films.
How Does the Aston Martin Logo Fit Into the Overall Brand Identity?
The logo anchors everything Aston Martin does. It sets the tone for dealership design, marketing materials, and the cars themselves.
The 2022 refresh came with a wider identity update, “Intensity. Driven.,” that carried the wings across cars, retail, and the F1 team.
The brand guidelines keep the look consistent across markets. Whether you see an Aston Martin in Tokyo or Toronto, the visual experience stays cohesive.
How Should the Aston Martin Logo Be Used?
This is general advice, not Aston Martin’s own rulebook.
- Editorial use, such as news, reviews, and educational articles, can usually show the logo to identify the brand.
- Commercial use on products or ads that suggests a connection with Aston Martin needs permission from Aston Martin Lagonda.
- Don’t redraw, recolor, or distort the wings.
FAQ on the Aston Martin Logo
What Does the Aston Martin Logo Represent?
The Aston Martin wings represent speed and flight. The 1932 version, the basis of today’s logo, was also inspired by the Egyptian scarab beetle, a symbol of new beginnings.
Who Designed the Aston Martin Logo?
The 1920 AM roundel is credited to Kate Martin, and the 1927 wings have no known designer. S.C.H. “Sammy” Davis designed the 1932 feathered wings. The 2022 version came from the in-house team under Marek Reichman with Peter Saville.
Why Does Aston Martin Use Wings in Its Logo?
Wings symbolize flight and velocity. In the 1920s aviation captured the public imagination, and the new owners used wings to signal speed when they replaced the AM roundel in 1927.
What Was the Old Aston Martin Logo?
The first logo, from 1920, was a round badge with interlocking “A” and “M” letters. Later old logos include the bronze 1927 wings, the 1932 feathered wings, and the 1954–1972 badges with “DAVID BROWN” above the name.
How Many Times Has the Aston Martin Logo Changed?
The 2022 refresh was described as the eighth update in the brand’s history. Key versions date from 1920, 1927, 1930, 1932, 1954, 1984, 2003, and 2022.
What Changed in the 2022 Aston Martin Logo?
The semicircular line through the wings was removed, the outlines got slightly thicker, the bottom feathers were joined, and the green behind the name became solid. It was the first change since 2003.
What Font Does Aston Martin Use in Its Logo?
The lettering is an Optima-style flared sans-serif. Brand typography samples name Optima, and Monotype cites URW Classico, an Optima variation. Aston Martin hasn’t officially named the logo font.
What Colors Are Used in the Aston Martin Logo?
The wings are usually black or white in flat form and polished metal on cars. Color versions use a solid green panel behind the name. Aston Martin hasn’t published an official hex code for that green.
How Is the Aston Martin Logo Connected to James Bond?
The DB5 in Goldfinger (1964) made the winged badge famous worldwide. James Bond films turned it into a cultural icon well beyond the car world.
Can I Use the Aston Martin Logo for Personal Projects?
Editorial use is usually fine. Commercial use, such as merchandise or ads, requires permission from Aston Martin Lagonda, which owns the trademark.
Conclusion
The Aston Martin Logo remains one of the most recognizable symbols in the luxury car segment. Those wings have survived ownership changes, economic struggles, and shifting design trends.
From Newport Pagnell to Gaydon, the brand kept its visual identity intact. David Brown’s era gave us the DB series. Lawrence Stroll brought the name back to Formula 1.
The emblem evolved but never lost its soul. It still represents British car heritage, racing pedigree, and handcrafted quality.
Few premium car emblems carry this much history. Fewer still look this good on a Vantage grille.
Sources
- Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team, The Secrets of the Aston Martin Logo – https://www.astonmartinf1.com/en-GB/news/gallery/the-secrets-of-the-aston-martin-logo
- Dezeen, Peter Saville updates Aston Martin logo – https://www.dezeen.com/2022/07/20/aston-martin-logo-rebrand-peter-saville/
- Jalopnik, Aston Martin Has Its First New Logo In Almost 20 Years – https://jalopnik.com/aston-martin-has-its-first-new-logo-in-almost-20-years-1849199282
- Motor1, History Of The Aston Martin Logo: How The Wings Have Evolved – https://www.motor1.com/features/599237/aston-martin-logo-history/
- Monotype, Fonts and luxury brands: cars – https://cms-prod.monotype.com/resources/fonts-and-luxury-brands-cars
Renowned for his expertise in logo design and visual branding, Bogdan has developed a multitude of logos for various clients.
His skills extend to creating posters, vector illustrations, business cards, and brochures. Additionally, Bogdan's UI kits were featured on marketplaces like Visual Hierarchy and UI8.
He also wrote in the past years on sites like Design Your Way, WebDesignerDepot, WPDean, Designmodo, Speckyboy, Slider Revolution, and more.
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Bogdan Sandu is a seasoned designer who has been designing websites since 2008. Renowned for his expertise in logo design and visual branding, Bogdan has developed a multitude of logos for various clients. His skills extend to creating posters, vector illustrations, business cards, and brochures. Additionally, Bogdan's UI kits were featured on marketplaces like Visual Hierarchy and UI8. He also wrote in the past years on sites like Design Your Way, WebDesignerDepot, WPDean, Designmodo, Speckyboy, Slider Revolution, and more.
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