V12 Vantage Centenary Edition
Discussion
Have been itching to say something on here but was worried as it wasn't official. However I've now found a link to this
https://astonmartin.blob.core.windows.net/sitefini...
which I think may be a US Brochure ?
Anyway, it confirms what I'd been told, on page 10, so I now feel comfortable to talk about it
Initially it was announced and indeed still says on the AML website, that there would be centenary versions of Vanquish & Rapide (both already now shown) plus DB9 and V8 Vantage
What the brochure link above shows is the Vantage Centenary edition will actually be 100 cars in total to cover V8 Coupe, V8 Roadster and V12 Coupe. So if they produce all 100, that will be split across the 3 models of Vantage, just as DB9 will be 100 total split across coupe & volante versions. One assumes vanquish volante will be launched too late to be included in the centenary edition run
Of course as ever with AM, info is subject to change - the brochure above makes no mention of which V8, whereas the centenary pricing (UK) shows regular & S Vantage being available as centenary models, despite SP10, certainly in Europe & UK, IMO effectively taking over from all other V8 Vantage models. The brochure above also makes mention of the two tone paintwork (as with all Centenary editions) whilst the pricing sheet actually shows 2 options, with & without 2 tone paint
One other thing on centenary models - the initial vanquish announcement referred to a 'goody box' of silver pen, cufflinks, etc but all future reference to centenary editions is lacking any such info
Moving back to V12V, what we do know is that roadster production is finished (and sold out), new Coupes can no longer be ordered, V12 Zag has been pretty poor in take up with far less than the 101 cap (initially 150) ordered or made and one assumes if it hasn't already, zag will shortly no longer be available for orders. So there is no way to order any kind of V12 Vantage now other than the centenary coupe, which hasn't officially yet been launched but one assumes soon will, with a maximum of 100 but one assumes less depending on V8 centenary take-up
This will clear the way for the much rumoured 2 pedal V12V presumably to be launched in august when they have already stated there will be 2 new models previewed - the sensible opinion is the other will be vanquish volante. Of course whether the 2 pedal version is called V12 'S', whether it has the new vanquish engine (I guess if it does, makes more sense to call it 'S') and whether it co-incides with a new/refreshed bodyshape (I'd initially guessed it would but I'm now not so sure) is all complete conjecture, as indeed is the question of whether there will be a 2 pedal V12V at all
However there have been enough hints on here from myself and others that it appears to be happening in one way, shape or form, that does appear inevitable......
One slight caveat to all the above - it's possible they were planning a centenary edition, produced the brochure I've linked in above, advised pricing in the other document I already knew about, then changed their mind and dropped it - as ever with AML, until it's announced (and even then we can never be sure!), who knows !!!
https://astonmartin.blob.core.windows.net/sitefini...
which I think may be a US Brochure ?
Anyway, it confirms what I'd been told, on page 10, so I now feel comfortable to talk about it
Initially it was announced and indeed still says on the AML website, that there would be centenary versions of Vanquish & Rapide (both already now shown) plus DB9 and V8 Vantage
What the brochure link above shows is the Vantage Centenary edition will actually be 100 cars in total to cover V8 Coupe, V8 Roadster and V12 Coupe. So if they produce all 100, that will be split across the 3 models of Vantage, just as DB9 will be 100 total split across coupe & volante versions. One assumes vanquish volante will be launched too late to be included in the centenary edition run
Of course as ever with AM, info is subject to change - the brochure above makes no mention of which V8, whereas the centenary pricing (UK) shows regular & S Vantage being available as centenary models, despite SP10, certainly in Europe & UK, IMO effectively taking over from all other V8 Vantage models. The brochure above also makes mention of the two tone paintwork (as with all Centenary editions) whilst the pricing sheet actually shows 2 options, with & without 2 tone paint
One other thing on centenary models - the initial vanquish announcement referred to a 'goody box' of silver pen, cufflinks, etc but all future reference to centenary editions is lacking any such info
Moving back to V12V, what we do know is that roadster production is finished (and sold out), new Coupes can no longer be ordered, V12 Zag has been pretty poor in take up with far less than the 101 cap (initially 150) ordered or made and one assumes if it hasn't already, zag will shortly no longer be available for orders. So there is no way to order any kind of V12 Vantage now other than the centenary coupe, which hasn't officially yet been launched but one assumes soon will, with a maximum of 100 but one assumes less depending on V8 centenary take-up
This will clear the way for the much rumoured 2 pedal V12V presumably to be launched in august when they have already stated there will be 2 new models previewed - the sensible opinion is the other will be vanquish volante. Of course whether the 2 pedal version is called V12 'S', whether it has the new vanquish engine (I guess if it does, makes more sense to call it 'S') and whether it co-incides with a new/refreshed bodyshape (I'd initially guessed it would but I'm now not so sure) is all complete conjecture, as indeed is the question of whether there will be a 2 pedal V12V at all
However there have been enough hints on here from myself and others that it appears to be happening in one way, shape or form, that does appear inevitable......
One slight caveat to all the above - it's possible they were planning a centenary edition, produced the brochure I've linked in above, advised pricing in the other document I already knew about, then changed their mind and dropped it - as ever with AML, until it's announced (and even then we can never be sure!), who knows !!!
Edited by jonby on Friday 10th May 13:44
Edited by jonby on Friday 10th May 13:45
Interesting indeed, thanks for posting! 
The AM drivers and AM sales staff at Millbrook last week all made it very clear to me that there WILL be a 2 pedal V12V launched very soon, but they were somewhat less clear about the engine output when I questioned them on this point further.
My guess is that the V12V Centenary Ed won't therefore see the light of day (i.e. the idea dropped since this was produced) as time is too short to squeeze it in between the end of the 3 pedal and the beginning of the 2 pedal V12V, but we will see... That said the idea of a V8 Vantage Centenary Ed would still stand good, so maybe...
The AM drivers and AM sales staff at Millbrook last week all made it very clear to me that there WILL be a 2 pedal V12V launched very soon, but they were somewhat less clear about the engine output when I questioned them on this point further.
My guess is that the V12V Centenary Ed won't therefore see the light of day (i.e. the idea dropped since this was produced) as time is too short to squeeze it in between the end of the 3 pedal and the beginning of the 2 pedal V12V, but we will see... That said the idea of a V8 Vantage Centenary Ed would still stand good, so maybe...
This week I was fortunate enough to see a centenary two tone vanquish shell. I have to admit on paper I didn’t like it. However seeing it up close changed my opinion, I love it. That particular one is off to some lucky sod in Canada.
I quizzed our host about a few non-standard cars that were on the production line. Only response was to keep an eye out later in the year.
I quizzed our host about a few non-standard cars that were on the production line. Only response was to keep an eye out later in the year.
AdamV12V said:
The AM drivers and AM sales staff at Millbrook last week all made it very clear to me that there WILL be a 2 pedal V12V launched very soon, but they were somewhat less clear about the engine output when I questioned them on this point further.
My guess is that the V12V Centenary Ed won't therefore see the light of day (i.e. the idea dropped since this was produced) as time is too short to squeeze it in between the end of the 3 pedal and the beginning of the 2 pedal V12V, but we will see... That said the idea of a V8 Vantage Centenary Ed would still stand good, so maybe...
I'm not sure anyone knows the answer to the first question outside a very tight inner circle. But there are some staff in non-sales/marketing areas that don't always know what's sensitive/new and what's not, hence the info leakageMy guess is that the V12V Centenary Ed won't therefore see the light of day (i.e. the idea dropped since this was produced) as time is too short to squeeze it in between the end of the 3 pedal and the beginning of the 2 pedal V12V, but we will see... That said the idea of a V8 Vantage Centenary Ed would still stand good, so maybe...
My best guess now is for a V12VS with vanquish engine (v similar but not quite identical in spec/outputs) in effectively the current bodyshell, with no manual option. One assumes there is the possibility of a soft top version of such a car in due course
As for the second question, I still see room for both centenary edition of current V12Coupe and the new 2 pedal one in august. Even if they do show the 2 pedal on in august, it might not make production til a few months after and thinking about it, there is actually no reason they couldn't overlap as one is a manual and one a Sportshift, which would probably, with a few exceptions, appeal to 2 different groups of people
If there is no 'new model' to be announced at the July celebration weekend, perhaps vantage and/or DB9 centenary editions will be first shown then ?
I have been a little nervous to mention it but I was told that there was to be a V12V with ASM2 with the motor packing 640 BHP. IN fact I asked H.R.Owen's sales staff to confirm or deny . They denied its existence saying that AM would not produce a Vantage with more power than the new Vanquish. The thing is my source was convinced , plus he is a man in the know.
I am so tempted to say who he is but will choose to refrain for the moment.
I am so tempted to say who he is but will choose to refrain for the moment.
robgt said:
I have been a little nervous to mention it but I was told that there was to be a V12V with ASM2 with the motor packing 640 BHP. IN fact I asked H.R.Owen's sales staff to confirm or deny . They denied its existence saying that AM would not produce a Vantage with more power than the new Vanquish. The thing is my source was convinced , plus he is a man in the know.
I am so tempted to say who he is but will choose to refrain for the moment.
you will find the problem is they have been testing a variety of cars for somewhile now - certainly they have been running 2 pedal v12vs since before XmasI am so tempted to say who he is but will choose to refrain for the moment.
but the people who know what's being tested don't always know whats being marketed
the dealerships only know from snippets they hear, not through official channels and sometimes we know more than they do
having said all that, I'd be staggered if an asm2 v12v, or indeed any v12v, had more than 600bhp - are you sure it wasn't 540 bhp which would make a lot of sense being somewhere inbetween db9 & vanquish, with model specific inlets manifolds, ecu, etc it would all stack up
I'm not sure as it happens, that the chassis could handle that power
robgt said:
I have been a little nervous to mention it but I was told that there was to be a V12V with ASM2 with the motor packing 640 BHP. IN fact I asked H.R.Owen's sales staff to confirm or deny . They denied its existence saying that AM would not produce a Vantage with more power than the new Vanquish. The thing is my source was convinced , plus he is a man in the know.
I am so tempted to say who he is but will choose to refrain for the moment.
Could that be the max torque figure ? Not sure the V12V can get much more power down on the road.I am so tempted to say who he is but will choose to refrain for the moment.
Has this article already been mentioned re. the rumour mill about the next Vantage?
http://www.consumerguide.com/aston-martin/vantage/...
They describe a Vantage that has had the Vanquish treatment.
Jon39 said:
robgt said:
I am so tempted to say who he is but will choose to refrain for the moment.
Uncle Ulrich perhaps? 
I had someone at AML with more credibility than Bez tell me in private, all kinds of details about Zag before it was launched, none of which proved to be correct when I received the contract just a few weeks later............
I'm sorry to come over a bit cloak and dagger. One thing is for sure the Italians are bunging in a lot of cash another is that time is of the essence. Logically we can expect big changes very soon.
To return to the V12 engine and 640BHP. It would be so easy with a twin turbo application. 2 problems , no room and Dr. Bez who is adamant that forced induction is not the way. Maybe they plan to use someone else's. V12 of smaller displacement . Plus Dr. Bez is on his way out!
Whatever, this year should be quite interesting.
To return to the V12 engine and 640BHP. It would be so easy with a twin turbo application. 2 problems , no room and Dr. Bez who is adamant that forced induction is not the way. Maybe they plan to use someone else's. V12 of smaller displacement . Plus Dr. Bez is on his way out!
Whatever, this year should be quite interesting.
Jon39 said:
Has this article already been mentioned re. the rumour mill about the next Vantage?
http://www.consumerguide.com/aston-martin/vantage/...
They describe a Vantage that has had the Vanquish treatment.
How old is that story? It reads as if it was written two or three years ago.http://www.consumerguide.com/aston-martin/vantage/...
They describe a Vantage that has had the Vanquish treatment.
My attention span stuttered to a halt after the first two paragraphs!
Anyway back to this exciting new model. Surely the way forward is the extensive use of carbon fibre. Without checking I believe the Vantage GTE weighs little over 1000 KGMS. The race teams have access to all the panel work so why can't the factory? I am not fussed by AM's pursuit of the perfect weave, once painted no one would know.
Jonby , your comment about the limits of the current chassis are valid , lose 400 KGMS in lard and things start to look a little different. Could the chassis be part built in CF.
Anyway back to this exciting new model. Surely the way forward is the extensive use of carbon fibre. Without checking I believe the Vantage GTE weighs little over 1000 KGMS. The race teams have access to all the panel work so why can't the factory? I am not fussed by AM's pursuit of the perfect weave, once painted no one would know.
Jonby , your comment about the limits of the current chassis are valid , lose 400 KGMS in lard and things start to look a little different. Could the chassis be part built in CF.
robgt said:
My attention span stuttered to a halt after the first two paragraphs!
Anyway back to this exciting new model. Surely the way forward is the extensive use of carbon fibre. Without checking I believe the Vantage GTE weighs little over 1000 KGMS. The race teams have access to all the panel work so why can't the factory? I am not fussed by AM's pursuit of the perfect weave, once painted no one would know.
Jonby , your comment about the limits of the current chassis are valid , lose 400 KGMS in lard and things start to look a little different. Could the chassis be part built in CF.
once Bez has gone, combined with the AMG rumours, of course forced induction is the way they will go - it's pretty much hard to resist when you see the way the other mainstream supercar makers have gone. But one assumes we won't see anything for at least 12-18 months with an AMG engine in surely ?Anyway back to this exciting new model. Surely the way forward is the extensive use of carbon fibre. Without checking I believe the Vantage GTE weighs little over 1000 KGMS. The race teams have access to all the panel work so why can't the factory? I am not fussed by AM's pursuit of the perfect weave, once painted no one would know.
Jonby , your comment about the limits of the current chassis are valid , lose 400 KGMS in lard and things start to look a little different. Could the chassis be part built in CF.
I think significant weight saving of the magnitude you suggest is harder - just look at how lardy the F type is. The body panels on new vanquish are all CF and they don't save much weight and already Aston use lots of lightweight materials for many of the body panels across the rest of the range
The luxury that buyers expect with an Aston makes it harder to save weight on the interior which is where I think much of the weight savings in the race cars come from - no interior cosmetic panels, no electric seats, no stereo, no airbags, lighter fuel tanks I guess, no glove boxes, alarms, tracker, electric mirrors, etc
ONE 77 had a carbon chassis of course and it could be done cheaper with a less perfect finish yes, but still think that's a long way off for AML
Would love to see a GT3 RS esque approach but I don't think the factory, certainly under Bez, see that as Aston's future. I think they are wrong as it could create a halo car, but Zag was the perfect opportunity, especially as it was launched as a race car initially, but we all saw the way that went
Ironically I have just read an Autocar test dated March 2008 of Aston's new Vantage V12RS which is quoted as having 600BHP with a proposed production run of 100 priced at £150000. The tester loved it. Apparently it was to be 259KGMS lighter than a DBS and have much reduced instrumentation. Why oh why did they not do it. Dr Bez will know the answer!!
http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/aston-martin/v...
http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/aston-martin/v...
Edited by robgt on Saturday 11th May 11:44
Met someone today who had been at Mira yesterday. AM were testing a very quick V12 V whilst changing various exhaust systems on the pretext of wanting a loud one for the parade lap at Le Mans. That is fine, making mucho noise should not present a problem. I believe they were testing the new 640 BHP engine. The chassis can cope , the brakes can cope. Let's hope that it is going to happen!
robgt said:
Met someone today who had been at Mira yesterday. AM were testing a very quick V12 V whilst changing various exhaust systems on the pretext of wanting a loud one for the parade lap at Le Mans. That is fine, making mucho noise should not present a problem. I believe they were testing the new 640 BHP engine. The chassis can cope , the brakes can cope. Let's hope that it is going to happen!
Well I'll be excited as the next man if they do produce a car with 640bhp, but I must say I will be surprisedI wonder if any of this is connected to the CC100 they are launching this weekend (well, assuming it is still on track as per the Bez announcement at Geneva)
Gassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff