Described by Aston Martin as "the most potent production sports car in the marque's 95-year history," the V12 Vantage is essentially the production version of the 2007 V12 Vantage RS concept car and it will be officially revealed at the Geneva Motorshow on 3rd March. Based on the V8 Vantage, the V12 Vantage features a naturally aspirated 6.0-litre V12 engine producing 510HP (517 PS), and 570 Nm (420 lb ft) of torque. Exclusively available with a six-speed manual transmission, the rear-wheel-drive British sportscar has a top speed of 190 mph (305 km/h) and 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) time of 4.2 seconds.
Unique to the V12 Vantage is a 'Sport' button which allows the driver to choose between two powertrain modes, the default 'normal' that provides a more progressive throttle response for everyday use, and the Sport' mode that delivers a sharper throttle response together with a sportier exhaust note.
In order to accommodate a wider wheel and tire combination for improved grip and traction, Aston Martin's engineer's modified the Vantage's rear suspension that now features a more compact dual-rate spring design. The ride height of the V12 Vantage has also been lowered by 15 mm, while the spring rates have been stiffened by 45% and the anti-roll bars are 15% (front) and 75% (rear) stiffer than the standard car.
The coupe sits on a set of lightweight 10-spoke 19" alloy wheels shed with wider Pirelli P Zero Corsa tires that have been specifically designed for the V12 Vantage enabling it to generate the highest cornering forces of any Aston Martin - up to a peak of 1.3g according to the company.
Stopping power is provided by the standard Carbon Ceramic Matrix (CCM) brakes with 398 mm discs at the front and 360 mm at the rear while the brake callipers feature six pistons at the front, four at the rear and have a larger brake pad area compared to the V8 Vantage. The CCM brakes are said to be some 12.5 kg (28 pounds) lighter than conventional brakes.
The V12 Vantage stands out from its less powerful V8 sibling thanks to the aerodynamic add-ons and cooling aids such as the bonnet louvres, the new side sills derived from the N24 race car, the more pronounced boot 'flip'' and the new rear carbon fibre diffuser.
Complementing the exterior changes, the V12 Vantage's interior features a revised instrument cluster with clearer dials, carbon fibre door handles as well as additional light weight materials in the form of Alcantara that are used throughout the cabin.
Production of the V12 Vantage will be limited to between just 300-500 examples per year with deliveries expected to commence during quarter three 2009. For those interested, prices are to be confirmed at the Geneva motor show.
Aston Martin V12 Vantage: Specification
Body:
Two door, two seat coupe body
Bonded aluminium structure
Aluminium, magnesium alloy, composite and steel body
Extruded aluminium door side impact beams
High Intensity Discharge Headlamps (dipped beam)
Halogen projector headlamps (main beam)
LED rear lamps
Engine:
All alloy quad overhead cam 48 valve 5935cc V12
Compression ratio 10.9:1
Front mid-mounted engine, rear wheel drive
Fully catalysed stainless steel exhaust system with active bypass valves
Maximum Power
510 bhp (380 kW / 517 PS) at 6500 rpm
Maximum Torque
570 Nm (420 lb.ft) at 5750 rpm
Acceleration
0-62 mph (100 km/h) in 4.2 seconds
0-60 mph in 4.1 seconds
Maximum Speed
190 mph (305 km/h)
Fuel Economy
Urban 11.64 mpg 24.26 l/100km
Extra Urban 24.05 mpg 11.74 l/100km
Combined 17.28 mpg 16.35 l/100km
CO2 388 g/km
Transmission:
Rear mid-mounted six speed manual gearbox. Alloy torque tube with carbon fibre propeller shaft
Limited slip differential
Final Drive Ratio 3.71:1
Steering:
Rack and pinion
Column tilt and reach adjustment
Suspension:
Front: Independent double wishbone incorporating anti-dive geometry, coil springs, anti-roll bar and monotube dampers
Rear: Independent double wishbones with anti-squat and anti-lift geometry, dual-rate coil springs, anti-roll bar and monotube dampers
Wheels
Front: 9" x 19"
Rear: 11" x 19"
Tyres:
Front: Pirelli P Zero Corsa 255/35 ZR19
Rear: Pirelli P Zero Corsa 295/30 ZR19
Brakes:
Front: Ventilated Carbon Ceramic discs 398 mm diameter with six piston callipers
Rear: Ventilated Carbon Ceramic discs 360 mm diameter with four piston callipers
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) with Track mode
Anti-lock braking system (ABS)
Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)
Emergency Brake Assist (EBA)
Traction Control
Length: 4380 mm (172.5")
Width: 1865 mm (73.5") (excluding door mirrors)
2025 mm (80") (including door mirrors)
Height: 1241 mm (49")
Wheelbase: 2600 mm (107.9")
Fuel tank capacity: 80 litres (17.6 Imp. Gal. / 21.1 US Gal)
Weight: 1680 kgs (3704 lb)
Interior:
Carbon fibre door pulls
Memory seats and exterior mirrors (3 positions)
Sports seats with 10 way electric adjustment, including height, tilt and lumbar
adjustment
Dual stage driver and passenger front airbags
Side airbags (Sports seats only)
Heated rear screen
Automatic temperature control
Organic Electroluminescent (OEL) displays
Trip computer
Cruise control
Hard Disk Drive (HDD) satellite navigation system*
Bluetooth telephone preparation*
Powerfold exterior mirrors
Rear parking sensors
Auto dimming interior rear view mirror
Tyre pressure monitoring*
Alarm and immobiliser
Remote-control central door locking and boot release
Battery disconnect switch
Tracking device (UK only)
In Car Entertainment
160W Aston Martin Audio System
MP3 player connectivity
Options
Lightweight seats with 6 way adjustment, including front and rear height adjust. (Does not include side airbags or Passenger Airbag Cut-Off Switch)
700W Aston Martin Premium Audio System with Dolby® Pro Logic II®
Piano Black facia trim
Graphite Alloy facia trim
Personalised sill plaques
Garage door opener (Europe only)
Tracking device**
First aid kit
Ashtray and cigar lighter
Boot mounted umbrella
Front parking sensors
Heated seats (Sports seats only)
ISOFIX and fixed-height passenger seat (Sports seat only)
Battery conditioner
