RE: Aston Vantage V12

Wednesday 4th February 2009

Aston Vantage V12

V12 will have 517bhp and 190mph top speed



Aston Martin has unveiled its V12 Vantage just 12 months after unveiling the original concept. The car will premiere at the Geneva Motor Show and features a 6.0-litre V12 engine with 517bhp and 420lb ft of torque.

Production will be limited to 300-500 cars per year and deliveries are expected to start in autumn. Although the V12 engine weighs 100kg more than the standard car’s engine thanks to the use of lighter materials the weight gain is kept to a minimum.

Carbon ceramic brakes, lighter forged aluminium wheels, lightweight inner rear quarter panels and optional lightweight seats mean the overall kerb weight is 50kg heavier than its V8 sibling.

There is a six-speed manual ‘box using a transaxle configuration to aid weight distribution. The V12 Vantage’s final drive ratio has also been modified from 3.909:1 to 3.71:1. This allows the Vantage to take full benefit of the high torque levels delivered by the engine to provide both flexibility at lower engine speeds.


The rear suspension has been modified, with a more compact dual-rate spring design, in order to accommodate a wider wheel and tyre combination, improving grip and traction. The ride height has been lowered by 15mm, with the spring rates stiffened by 45%.

The anti-roll bars are 15% (front) and 75% (rear) stiffer than the standard car. The V12’s diamond-turned 19” alloys save a total of 5kg and are clad in wider Pirelli P Zero Corsa Tyres. Aston says the car can generate the highest cornering forces of any of its cars, with up to 1.3g possible.

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, unlike our other cars. This will appeal to different people with different tastes, allowing more people to enjoy the Aston Martin experience.’






 

 

Author
Discussion

robert_raw

Original Poster:

81 posts

192 months

Wednesday 4th February 2009
quotequote all
That looks amazing

Live It

6,338 posts

216 months

Wednesday 4th February 2009
quotequote all
That's going to be SO fast.

Love the bonnet slats.

S3_Graham

12,830 posts

199 months

Wednesday 4th February 2009
quotequote all
sexual.....

ezi

1,734 posts

186 months

Wednesday 4th February 2009
quotequote all
The wheels are horrid.

B15TT0

1,204 posts

242 months

Wednesday 4th February 2009
quotequote all
Very nice....

Although you can't help but think all the Astons look a bit too derivative of each other. There'll be quite a few 40k V8 vantages that get the V12 stick ons I imagine..

Wheels looks a bit `Kahn Design` in the pics...

Speed_Demon

2,662 posts

188 months

Wednesday 4th February 2009
quotequote all
I splooged. Apart from the wheels, that is devistantingly sexual.

anonymous-user

54 months

Wednesday 4th February 2009
quotequote all
It is lovely, but even as a car enthusiast I am finding it hard to tell the various AM models apart - maybe it's time for something at least a little bit different?

Dave

cronk-flakes

3,480 posts

253 months

Wednesday 4th February 2009
quotequote all
Soo... It's a DBS? confused

Trikster

823 posts

202 months

Wednesday 4th February 2009
quotequote all
Veeeery nice, veeeeery nice indeed...

Re teh wheels - remind me of my old Eos... :s Funny, I never thought I'd be shallow enough to comment on wheel design when such a fantastic car is presented....

kambites

67,556 posts

221 months

Wednesday 4th February 2009
quotequote all
cronk-flakes said:
Soo... It's a DBS? confused
The DBS is based on the DB9 not the Vantage. There's a big difference in size.

nonplussed

3,338 posts

229 months

Wednesday 4th February 2009
quotequote all
Great, but they DO all look the same. And the wheels are maximum chav. Otherwise, I wouldn't mind biggrin

crofty1984

15,858 posts

204 months

Wednesday 4th February 2009
quotequote all
What a boring looking engine.
Great car though.

militantmandy

3,829 posts

186 months

Wednesday 4th February 2009
quotequote all
Needs more power!

LM-GTO

14 posts

192 months

Wednesday 4th February 2009
quotequote all
What awful wheels! I'm sure you can get them in Halfords!!
Apart from that it aint bad.

RSBear

26 posts

191 months

Wednesday 4th February 2009
quotequote all
Sex on wheels

Alex Gurr

420 posts

247 months

Wednesday 4th February 2009
quotequote all
It certainly is going to be an interesting machine to drive. 100kg extra over the front wheels isn't going to do the handling many favours, but knowing Astons approach to design this is still going to be a touring biased car rather than an out and out sports car in the mould of the 430 Stradalle or LP560. It should be quick though and is certainly desirable.

louiebaby

10,651 posts

191 months

Wednesday 4th February 2009
quotequote all
Mmmm...

Straight into the lottery win shopping list at number 2.

(After the Veyron.)

Yes, all the Aston's are starting to look similar, but for a little while longer, that's no bad thing.

cvegas

323 posts

203 months

Wednesday 4th February 2009
quotequote all
Looks fab. Small car + huge engine = :-)

louismchuge

1,628 posts

184 months

Wednesday 4th February 2009
quotequote all
Theres a party in my pants!!

Lucozade

2,574 posts

279 months

Wednesday 4th February 2009
quotequote all
IWOOT !