The Aston Martin Test (www.astonmartin.com) and Development Centre at Silverstone is to become a hub for prototype vehicle testing, focused on chassis dynamics and high-speed handling.

CEO Andy Palmer said: “The company is now investing for growth across the Aston Martin and Lagonda brands.

"I am particularly pleased that we can now call Silverstone ‘home’ for dynamic testing and development.”

Stuart Pringle, managing director of Silverstone, said: “Automotive brand centres have always been a big part of Silverstone’s diversification plans, and I am delighted to be in a position to announce that Aston Martin has chosen Silverstone as the location to open its new testing and development centre.

"Our two brands have a rich British motor-sport heritage; I look forward to working closely with the team at Aston Martin to build on our relationship and ensure that the partnership delivers on key business objectives for both parties.”

Since the announcement of the company’s seven-year Second Century Business Plan in early 2015, there has been a progressive re-tooling of every area of the business.

In 2016, the company announced the creation of a second manufacturing facility; located at St Athan in Wales, this is on schedule to start production of a new SUV in late 2019.

With the addition of Silverstone and a new office in London, Aston Martin Lagonda will operate out of 10 locations across the UK and is set to employ 5,000 people by the end of 2022.