Aston Martin is performing a magic trick. It is plucking the 6.0-liter 510 hp engine out of the DBS, and is stuffing it in the smaller, lighter Vantage. Poof: the V12 Vantage is born. But don't get too excited just yet. Like most magic tricks, everything is not a whole as it seems. The addition of four cylinders to the Vantage has made the crash protection area too small to meet U.S. standards.

So we will be a little sad when we see the car in-person for its premiere at the Geneva Motor Show. For everyone who is lucky to live in outlaw country, the V12 Vantage has a top speed of 190 mph (305 km/h) and 0-62 mph (0-100 kp/h) time of 4.2 seconds. These figures are made possible not only from the bigger engine, but also a serious diet of lightweight material including a carbon fiber driveshaft.

Even for those who live in countries where the V12 Vantage is legal, it may still be hard to get. Only 1,000 examples total are scheduled to be built.

Updated 06/02/2010: Aston Martin announced US prices for the 2011 V12 Vantage that is now available for order. Prices for the standard version will start at $179,995, while the Carbon Black edition is priced at $194,995. Both prices include a $3,000 gas-guzzler tax and $1,350 destination charge. Deliveries will begin in the fourth quarter of 2010.

UPDATE 06/04/2010: Aston Martin has released a new video for the Aston Martin V12 Vantage to celebrate the release of the supercar into the U.S. market. Check it out by clicking on the image above.

UPDATE 05/27/2011: We have added a new commercial to our review. It is called Aston Martin 'Reverie' and it is all about energy and speed. Very suitable for an Aston Martin model. Enjoy.

Press release after the jump.

2010 Aston Martin V12 Vantage

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  • Model: 2010 Aston Martin V12 Vantage
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Press release

Aston Martin will present the most potent production sports car in the marque’s 95-year history at the Geneva motor show on 3 March. Based on the hugely successful V8 Vantage, the V12 Vantage will feature a 6.0-litre V12 engine producing 510 bhp (380 kW / 517 PS), and 570 Nm (420 lb ft) of torque with a top speed of 190 mph (305 km/h) and 0-62 mph (0-100 kp/h) time of 4.2 seconds.

The latest incarnation of the Vantage family has been designed to provide a unique character, appealing to different driver tastes and complementing the other models in the current Aston Martin line-up.

The original V12 Vantage concept was unveiled to guests at the opening of the Aston Martin Design Studio in December 2007. Continuing the marque’s impressive record of bringing concepts through to production, Aston Martin engineers have brought the V12 Vantage to market in an incredible 12 months.

Aston Martin Chief Executive Officer, Dr Ulrich Bez said: “This is the ultimate performance interpretation of the Vantage range, combining our most agile model with our most powerful engine. It represents the definitive driving package; providing spectacular performance to ensure a dynamically thrilling and everyday useable driving experience.

“The V12 Vantage has a unique character, one unlike our other cars. This will appeal to different people with different tastes, allowing more people to enjoy the Aston Martin experience.

“This also illustrates one of Aston Martin’s key strengths – the ability to act quickly and turn concepts and ideas into reality.”

Designed for the focused driver, every component of the V12 Vantage has been honed with pure driving enjoyment in mind. Benefitting from race-developed materials and components, and featuring lightweight carbon fibre; performance and agility have been tuned to perfection.

Visually enticing, the V12 Vantage expresses its performance potential through its purposeful stance created by enhanced aerodynamic and cooling aids optically widening the car, while retaining traditional understated Aston Martin design. Equally inviting, the cosseting interior permits the driver to extract maximum performance ability from the car while also enjoying customary levels of Aston Martin comfort on longer journeys. High levels of power and torque are available at all engine speeds making the V12 Vantage responsive and tractable in any driving situation.

The V12 Vantage will be built at Aston Martin’s global headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire joining the DBS, DB9 and V8 Vantage model lines which are built in the state-of-the-art production facility combining hi-tech manufacturing processes with traditional hand-craftsmanship. Production will be limited up to 1,000 examples over the life span of the car, making the V12 Vantage a truly exclusive driver’s car.

Deliveries of the V12 Vantage are expected to commence during quarter three 2009 with prices to be confirmed at the Geneva motor show.