Aston Martin One-77 best concept

The $3 million supercar is still well over a year from showrooms, despite an early commitment from one cashed-up Australian customer, but it picked up its first major prize in Italy this week.

The One-77 was named as best concept car at the Concorso d'Eleganza, one of the world's most exotic car shows at the $1000-a-night Villa D'Este hotel on the shores of Lake Como.

Its appearance moves the supercar two steps closer from a dream to a reality as it was shown with an interior - the one big thing missing from the original concept car now housed at Aston's headquarters at Gaydon in the UK - and a running mechanical package.

"The One-77 has proven itself as the most desirable automotive art form at its premiere today," says Aston CEO, Ulrich Bez.

The super coupe scooped the concept car prize when it took more than 30 per cent of votes from 2600 show visitors, despite opposition from seven other dream machines.

The other big winner at the Concorso d'Eleganza was a classic Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Berlinetta Touring was was named 'best in show'.

"The One-77 demonstrates the unique capabilities of our company - it encompasses engineering excellence with a great passion from our engineers, designers and technical partners," says Bez.

"This is a major step in One-77's engineering programme, showing the first complete car."

But the world is still waiting for full details of the car's engine and the vital performance figures it will need to compete with the benchmark Bugatti Veyron.