Triton Submarines and British automotive manufacturer Aston Martin have announced the successful completion of the design phase for Project Neptune, a fully electric deep-diving submersible, and commencement of the first production model ahead of its public unveiling later this year. Powered by a 30kWh LiFePO4 battery system supplied by Valance Technology, the limited-edition sub, which is based on Triton’s Low Profile (LP) three-person platform, can carry two passengers and a pilot, and is able to operate for as long as eight hours before requiring recharging. Able to dive to depths of 500m (1,640ft), the submersible will have an anticipated sprint speed in excess of 5kts and approximately four times the acceleration of Triton’s flagship 3300/3 model. Following the announcement of the creative collaboration in September 2017, Aston Martin and Triton have refined the design of the submersible’s hydrodynamics, body styling and interior packaging. John Ramsay, chief technical officer at Triton Submarines, commented: “The work we have done together on the exterior of the submersible pleases me most. I’m particularly proud of our joint development of the acrylic canopy and iridium coating. The prototypes look incredible, being simultaneously functional and beautiful.”