Before Aston Martin switches to electrification, it wants to give one last hurrah to its internal combustion engines; more specifically, the V-12 engine. And, to make sure it goes out the right way with the utmost honor, Aston Martin has wrapped it around the body of a Vantage. They make a nice couple, don’t they?
Anyway, the V12 Vantage has been unveiled as a 690-horsepower beast, powered by a 5.2-liter, twin-turbo V-12 engine. It can sprint to 62 mph in 3.5 seconds and will have a top speed of 200 mph. It will be a limited edition model, with Aston Martin building just 333 examples of the same. But, you can’t buy it because all of them are already sold out!
What Powers Aston Martin V12 Vantage?
The highlight of the V12 Vantage is obviously the V-12 engine.
The car weighs merely 1,795 kilos (3,957 pounds), which gives it a power-to-weight ratio of 384.7 horsepower/ton. Aston Martin noted that this is 20-percent more than the V-8-powered Vantage.
Courtesy of all this,
How Is The Aston Martin V12 Vantage On The Outside?
On the outside, the British automaker has made use of a lot of carbon fiber stuff. The front bumper, clamshell hood, front fenders, and side sills are all composed of carbon fiber. There’s a full-width front splitter as well that helps generate additional downforce and aerodynamic balance.
The front grille you see is 25-percent larger than usual to allow more airflow and help the massive V-12 mill breathe better. The ‘horse shoe’ design engine vent not only helps with the cooling, but is also an homage to the design character of the Vantage GT12, which is Aston Martin’s road-going tribute to the legendary V12 Vantage GT3 racer. The new Aston Martin V12 Vantage also comes with a slightly wider body. It has been widened by around 1.6 inches (40 mm) to accommodate a wide track chassis.
The V12 Vantage comes with 21-inch alloy wheels finished in either satin black or satin black diamond. You can opt for lightweight wheels finished in Satin Black for extra moolah that further save 17.6 pounds (eight kilos). Irrespective of the wheels you choose, they will be wrapped in Michelin Pilot 4S high-performance tires, measuring 275/35 at the front and 315/30 at the rear.
Step to the rear and you’ll notice a unique bumper that comes with an integrated diffuser. Aston Martin has also installed a composite rear bumper and deck lid for further weight saving. In the middle, you’ll find the center-mounted, twin tailpipe, exhaust system. The special center-mounted twin-exit exhaust system is composed of 1 mm stainless steel. This exhaust system shaves off 15.9 pounds (7.2 kilos) when compared to the system fitted to the standard Vantage.
There’s a rear wing present as well that creates a maximum downforce of 450 pounds (204 kilos) at top speed. If you prefer form over function, then you can have the rear wing deleted from the factory. The downforce will be compromised, but not the aerodynamics.
Aston Martin Vantage V-12 – Suspension Setup and Braking
Aston Martin has also equipped the new V12 Vantage with a new adaptive damping suspension system that includes new anti-roll bars, bushes, and spring and damper assemblies. The automaker has made improvements to the spring rates, and the top mount and anti-roll bars stiffness to ensure better ride quality. A secondary tender spring has been introduced to the rear as well. Apart from this, Aston Martin has made recalibrated the steering as well for a sharper response
As for the stopping prowess, the V12 Vantage comes with a Carbon Ceramic Braking system as standard. This has helped the company save over 50 pounds (23 kilos) when compared to the standard steel brakes. The setup comes with 16.1-inch x 1.5-inch (410mm x 38mm) discs with six-piston calipers at the front, and. 14.2-inch x 1.25-inch (360mm x 32mm) discs with four-piston calipers at the rear.
What’s Special On Inside Of The Aston Martin V12 Vantage?
As for the interior, the V12 Vantage comes with pretty much the same cabin as the standard Vantage. You get a Sports Plus Seat trimmed in full semi-aniline leather featuring ‘Wings’ quilt and perforation pattern as standard here. If you want something more special, you can opt for the carbon fiber performance seat with exposed twill carbon fiber shell and manual six-way adjustment available as an option. The weight-saving technique has been implemented here as well, as these seats save 16.1 pounds (7.3 kilos).
Owners looking for more customization programs can always opt for the marque’s bespoke personalization service, Q by Aston Martin. You can also get exterior graphics and liveries to make your Aston Martin V12 Vantage all the more special. You can also go for woven leather or Alcantara seat inserts and trim inlays for the interior.
Final Thoughts
There sure is something about small sports cars boasting big engines. The last V12 Vantage bows out 15 years after Aston Martin revealed the first V12 Vantage RS Concept (back in 2007). It was positively received even back then. So, it seemed fitting to bid adieu to this mighty engine through the Vantage.