Hold on to your seats, Aston Martin has created the V12 Vantage, its fastest V12 to date.
For fifteen years the V12 Vantage has boldly represented Aston Martin’s passion for performance. Fast and fierce in equal measure, successive iterations of these great cars have formed an iconic bloodline, one built around the premise of fitting the most compact and driver-focused model with the largest and most potent series-production engine. With this unique lineage nearing its end, Aston Martin has introduced the fastest, fiercest and most dynamically accomplished of them all; the new V12 Vantage.
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With production of the V12 Vantage strictly limited to 333 examples globally, this final edition celebrates the end of an epic era in fitting style. The ultimate expression of extreme performance and driver-focused thrills, this remarkable machine mixes blistering straight-line speed and scintillating handling with spectacular looks and enviable exclusivity: An extremely enticing proposition.
The engine is the heart of every Aston Martin, but never more so than in this, the fastest and most powerful Vantage ever built. Developing 700PS at 6500 rpm and 753Nm of torque from just 1800rpm to 6000rpm, the quad-cam 60-deg 5.2-litre V12 offers an intoxicating combination of magnificent low and mid-range muscularity with searing top-end power. With a top speed of 200mph, V12 Vantage reaches to 0-100km/hr in just 3.4 seconds. Thanks to the propulsive efforts of this magnificent powerplant – and extensive use of weight-saving materials throughout the car – the V12 Vantage has a power-to-weight ratio of 390PS-per-ton; an increase of more than 20% compared to the V8 powered Vantage.
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These weight-saving measures include carbon fibre front bumper, clamshell bonnet, front fenders and side sills, composite rear bumper and deck lid, lightweight battery and a special centre-mounted twin-exit exhaust system. Tuned to ensure the V12 Vantage has a voice to match its looks and performance, this new exhaust system is made from lightweight 1mm stainless steel, saving some 7.2kg compared with the system fitted to the Vantage.
The power is fed through a ZF 8-speed automatic transmission and mechanical Limited-Slip Differential (LSD) mounted at the rear of the car. The V12 Vantage receives a unique transmission calibration to enhance shift speeds and driver interaction, with learnings taken from the V12 Speedster and Vantage F1 Edition models. This specially calibrated software delivers a level of shift refinement and usability which is beyond that seen on dual-clutch gearboxes. The transmission’s adaptive software is designed to gauge the conditions the car is operating in, along with the demands the driver is making, to ensure the car is in exactly the right gear at the right time providing a truly connected driving experience.
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Like its celebrated forebears, the new V12 Vantage is focused on delivering a dynamic driving experience that complements its unmistakable engine performance and character, while ensuring the driver truly remains at the centre of the driving experience. To achieve this, the car is equipped with a new adaptive damping suspension system including new anti-roll bars, bushes, and spring and damper assemblies.
Suspension spring rates have been increased by 50% at the front and 40% at the rear, combined with top mount stiffness increasing by 13% and new anti-roll bars are 5% stiffer at the front and 41% softer at the rear. Body stiffness is increased with additional front and rear shear panels, a rear suspension tower strut brace and fuel tank bracing, increasing body stiffness (kNm/Deg) by 8% and lateral stiffness (kNm/mm) by 6.7%, giving the optimum platform stiffness for driving dynamics.
These changes are also supported by a new steering calibration, improving steering feel and delivering a sharper response – and in turn, an enhanced driver experience aided by a new Carbon Ceramic Braking (CCB) system as standard.
More than just muscle, the V12 Vantage boasts a jaw-dropping physique thanks to a bodywork widened by some 40mm new to accommodate a wide track chassis optimised for cornering performance and stability. Employing extensive use of carbon fibre, this new widebody design also features a dramatic aerodynamic package, while a new front bumper design is complemented by a full-width front splitter that generates additional downforce and aerodynamic balance as well as perfecting the ground-skimming stance.
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Moving to the interior, the V12 Vantage retains the instantly recognisable layout of the current Vantage, whilst signifying its halo positioning with a Sports Plus Seat trimmed in full semi-aniline leather featuring ‘Wings’ quilt and perforation pattern as standard.
There is also a new carbon fibre performance seat with an exposed twill carbon fibre shell and manual 6-way adjustment available as an option, offering a supportive seat design for those enhanced driving dynamics and a distinct design character. This is an Aston Martin patented design inspired by motorsport, optimised to save 7.3kg without compromising comfort.
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