Aston Martin just redesigned the Vantage for 2018, replacing the previous model after no fewer than 13 years on the market. But, in a surprising turn of events, the British firm revived the old model for a limited-edition run called the Vantage V600. Built by the company's Q division, the V600 was designed on request and will be produced in only 14 units, split between seven coupes and seven convertibles. The Vantage V600 pays tribute to the original V8 Vantage V600 that Aston Martin introduced in 1998.

Based on the Virage model sold between 1989 and 2000, the previous V600 was the most extreme iteration of the Vantage model. Powered by a 600 horsepower supercharged engine (remember, that was in 1998!), the first V600 was one of the most powerful sports cars of its time. Come 2018, and Aston Martin is sending the VH-platform Vantage into the history books with a similar model. Although not as extreme as its predecessor, the new-old V600 marks the official retirement of the iconic VH platform in two-door Aston Martins.

Continue reading to learn more about the Aston Martin V12 Vantage V600.

2018 Aston Martin V12 Vantage V600

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2018 Aston Martin V12 Vantage V600
  • Engine/Motor: V12
  • Horsepower: 592
  • Transmission: seven-speed manual
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

What Makes the Aston Martin V12 Vantage V600 Special?

- Carbon-fiber body - AMR grille - New engine hood - Wider fenders - Carbon rear diffuser - Carbon-fiber interior trim - Anodized aluminum inserts - New upholstery pattern - Beefed-up V-12 engine - 592 horsepower - Likely quicker than the standard model - Dated VH platform

While based on the 13-year old Vantage, the V600 looks significantly different compared to the sports car that Aston Martin discontinued a while back. That's because the standard front grille was replaced by the bigger one from the Vantage AMR. The intake stretches closer to the ground and features a fine mesh instead of the usual horizontal slats. The lower bumper was revised to include beefier side panels, a slimmer grille, and a sporty splitter. Both grilles have a darker finish that matches the grey paint on the body. The new front fascia is finished off with a massive bulge on the engine hood and circular vents on each side.

The profile boasts dramatic changes too, thanks to the beefed-up fender flares and the bigger front fender strakes. Aston Martin also added new wheels with a center-lock design. The forged and machined rims are painted black and feature an intricate double-spoke design. The rear fascia carries over unchanged above the bumper, but the latter was redesigned to include a more menacing diffuser. The carbon-fiber element now includes a quad-exhaust layout. Finally, the entire body is made from carbon-fiber for added exclusivity and reduced curb weight.

The interior of the V600 looks like a race-spec Aston Martin thanks to the copious amount of carbon-fiber used on the center console, center stack, and door panels. The lightweight material is complemented by anodized aluminum trim, while the sporty, heavily bolstered seats have a new perforation pattern. There's also a hand-crafted, saddle leather center armrest, a new gear shifter machined from a solid block, and bespoke dials in the instrument cluster.

The Vantage V600 gets its juice from the same 5.9-liter V-12 engine in the old Vantage S, but output has been increased from 565 to 592 horsepower. That's just as much as the Aston Martin Vanquish and makes the V600 the most powerful Vantage of its generation. No word on torque specs, but it's safe to assume that the V-12 generates the same 457 pound-feet.

If you're a fan of Aston Martin's Sportshift III automatic gearbox, you'll probably be disappointed to learn that the V600 is sold with the seven-speed manual transmission only. The row-your-own box was introduced in 2016 and features a classic dog-leg first gear position that ensures the gears used most frequently are located in a double H pattern like that of a conventional six-speed manual. The unit also uses AMSHIFT, a driver selectable system that uses clutch, gear position and propshaft sensors to mimic the technique of heel-and-toe downshifts.

Aston Martin has yet to release performance specs, but given the extra oomph and the lighter carbon-fiber body, the V600 should be quicker than the standard V12 Vantage S. The latter needs 3.9 seconds to hit 62 mph from a standing start, so the V600 could achieve the benchmark in around 3.7 seconds. Top speed likely remains unchanged at 205 mph, which is nothing to sneeze at. The V600 rides on a dual independent wishbone suspension front and rear for a comfortable ride in all conditions.

Pricing remains a mystery as of this writing, but expect the V600 to cost notably more than the standard V12 Vantage S, which retails from around $190,000. Given the AMR-inspired updates, the carbon body, and the limited production run, I'd say that the V600 could fetch around $250,000. The sports car is available on request with deliveries set to begin in the third quarter of 2018.

References

Read our full review on the 2018 Aston Martin Vantage.

Read our full review on the 2018 Aston Martin Vantage AMR.

Read more Aston Martin news.