PORTFOLIO

The iconic DB9 has been recreated for 2013 with new styling

A GOOD SPORT

The Vantage has always epitomised Aston Martin’s racing heritage and continues to do so with the launch of the new V12 Vantage S
says Ian Minards, Director of Product Development

What makes the Vantage stand out from the crowd?

IThe Vantage is our sporting option, so it has a shorter chassis and more sporty bias than the GTs. Its assets are agility, nimbleness, performance and steering response. The weight distribution is different to the other models and there is obviously more driving interaction with the Vantage than our other models—it needs to be driven.

Few other manufacturers still offer the manual option, which we feel is an important part of our driving heritage. We have developed the Vantage through the years by testing at the Nürburgring and there remains a strong affinity between the model and motorsport.

What are the main improvements on the new V12 Vantage S?

The new car replaces the outgoing V12 Vantage in markets around the world and, with the exception of the One-77 hypercar, arrives as the fastest road-going Aston Martin yet offered. Equipped with the new 573 PS Aston Martin AM28 6.0-litre V12 engine, featuring latest generation Bosch engine management, the car is capable of reaching a top speed of 205mph.

Are there any major design differences?

The V12 Vantage S has been restyled to reflect its position as the flagship of the new Vantage range. Most noticeable, perhaps, is that the car’s grille does away with the famous aluminium vanes—replacing them with a new arrangement that includes sporty, black carbon fibre with a titanium silver mesh. Created to maximise airflow to the V12 engine, the new grille is inspired by that of the remarkable new CC100 Speedster Concept, nicknamed DBR100, which debuted at the 24 Hours at Nürburgring in May and signalled a new era of Aston Martin design language.

Other clues that single out the car’s innovation include the debut of new optional lightweight forged-alloy 10-spoke wheels, and a subtle yet distinctive exterior graphics pack that includes a black painted roof and part-painted boot panel.

What elements does it retain?

The new V12 Vantage S, of course, retains the same compact proportions and muscular stance as its predecessor, while features such as the pronounced bonnet vents and flared wheel arches underscore its sporting abilities.

Does the V12 still take its lead from the race track?

Race-car technology runs right through the DNA of the V12 Vantage S with the CNC-machined combustion chambers and hollow camshafts as just two examples of track technology feeding through to the road. Another clear example is the new car’s new gearbox.

The Sportshift™ III AMT (automated manual transmission) is a major development of the automated manual gearbox that appears in the current V8 Vantage S. Designed and engineered to exploit the full sporting potential of the V12 engine, the new Sportshift provides motorsport-style paddle shift changes for optimum performance delivery and efficiency. This competition-derived and motorsport-proven technology—used routinely in Aston Martin Racing’s race-winning Vantage GT4, GT3 and GTE competition cars—provides great driver control and swift gear changes.

Finally, where would you recommend taking the Vantage for a spin?

I’ve not done it for a while but there’s a stretch of road up in Scotland on the A712 near Dumfries, heading out westwards, which is great for driving. It’s the perfect spot to put a Vantage through its paces.

ENGINE

V12

CAPACITY

5,935cc

MAX POWER

574PS (565bhp) at 6,750rpm

MAX TORQUE

620Nm at 5,500rpm

TOP SPEED

205mph

ACCELERATION

tbc

THE BODY

  • Two-seat, two-door coupe body style
  • Extruded bonded aluminium VH body structure of aluminium, magnesium alloy, composite and steel
  • Extruded aluminium door side-impact beams
  • Halogen projector headlamps (main beam)
  • Black headlamp bezels (dipped beam)
  • LED rear lamps
  • Clear rear lamps with black border
  • Carbon fibre front splitter and rear diffuser

THE INTERIOR

  • Full-grain leather interior
  • Piano Black facia trim, centre stack and door pulls
  • Alcantara-trimmed sports steering wheel
  • Electrically adjustable sports seats
  • Memory seats and exterior mirrors (three positions)
  • Automatic temperature control
  • Organic electroluminescent (OEL) displays
  • Trip computer
  • Cruise control
  • Bluetooth telephone preparation
  • Satellite navigation system
  • Auto-dimming interior rear-view mirror
  • Tyre pressure monitoring system
  • Glass switches
  • LED map-reading lights
Artful design and sophisticated engineering combine with exceptional performance and dynamism in the new, perfectly proportioned V8 Vantage

IN BRIEF
Artful design and sophisticated engineering combine with exceptional performance and dynamism in the new, perfectly proportioned V8 Vantage, which has a choice of transmissions: a six-speed manual or optional seven-speed Sportshift™ II.

DETAILS

  • Two-seat, two-door coupé or soft-cover convertible
  • All-alloy quad overhead camshaft 32-valve, 4,735cc V8
  • Front mid-mounted engine, rear-wheel drive
  • Fully catalysed stainless-steel exhaust system with active bypass valves
  • Maximum power: 313kW (426 Ps/420bhp) at 7,300rpm
  • Maximum torque: 470Nm at 5,000rpm
  • Acceleration: 0-62mph (100km/h) in 4.9 seconds
  • Maximum speed: 180mph (290km/h)
  • Rear mid-mounted six-speed transmission (optional seven-speed Sportshift II™)
  • Alloy torque tube with carbon-fibre prop shaft
  • Limited-slip differential
A V8 Vantage with more power, sharper handling and an even greater response

IN BRIEF
A V8 Vantage with more power, sharper handling and an even greater response. The most generously equipped and highest performing V8 car yet produced, its sports exhaust system (unique to the “S”) delivers a rousing soundtrack in keeping with the driving experience.

DETAILS

  • Two-seat, two-door coupé body style
  • All-alloy quad overhead camshaft 32-valve 4,735cc V8
  • Front mid-mounted engine, rear-wheel drive
  • Fully catalysed stainless-steel exhaust system with active bypass valves
  • Maximum power: 321kW (436Ps/430bhp) at 7,300rpm
  • Maximum torque: 490Nm at 5,000rpm
  • Acceleration: 0-62mph (100km/h) in 4.8 seconds
  • Maximum speed: 190mph (305km/h)
  • Rear mid-mounted six-speed transmission (optional seven-speed Sportshift II™)
  • Alloy torque tube with carbon-fibre prop shaft
  • Limited-slip differential
The latest incarnation of a classic model bloodline that sits at the heart of the Aston Martin range.

IN BRIEF
The latest incarnation of a classic model bloodline that sits at the heart of the Aston Martin range. The “DB” moniker has adorned some of Aston Martin’s most iconic cars, a badge that signifies engineering excellence and the highest quality of craftsmanship.

DETAILS

  • Two-door coupe body style with 2+2 seating configuration
  • All-alloy quad overhead camshaft 48-valve 5,935cc V12
  • Front mid-mounted engine, rear-wheel drive
  • Fully catalysed stainless-steel exhaust system with active bypass valves
  • Maximum power: 421kW (517Ps/ 510bhp) at 6,500rpm
  • Maximum torque: 620Nm at 5,500rpm
  • Acceleration: 0-62mph (100km/h) in 4.6 seconds
  • Maximum speed: 183mph (295km/h)
  • Rear mid-mounted six-speed transmission with electronic shift-by-wire control system
  • Alloy torque tube with carbon-fibre prop shaft
  • Limited-slip differential
The limited-edition V12 Zagato combines elegance and raw power in one stunning design

IN BRIEF
Released to mark the 50th anniversary of the Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato, the limited-edition V12 Zagato, which has proven its mettle at the Nürburgring, combines elegance and raw power in one stunning design and is one of the most exclusive sports cars ever built.

DETAILS

  • Four unique Zagato exterior paint schemes to choose from
  • All-alloy quad overhead camshaft 48-valve, 5,935cc V12
  • Front mid-mounted engine, rear-wheel drive
  • Fully catalysed stainless-steel exhaust system with active bypass valves
  • Maximum power: 380kW (517Ps/510bhp) at 6,500rpm
  • Maximum torque: 570Nm at 5,750rpm
  • Acceleration: 0-62mph (100km/h) in 4.2 seconds
  • Maximum speed: 190mph (305km/h)
  • Rear mid-mounted six-speed manual transmission
  • Alloy torque tube with carbon-fibre prop shaft
  • Limited-slip differential
The world's most beautiful four-door sports car

IN BRIEF
The world’s most beautiful four-door sports car, accommodating four adults in luxury and comfort, yet providing sensational performance—refined, supremely elegant and perfectly balanced with a classic sports car silhouette. (See the “New Kid On The Block” feature for more details)

DETAILS

  • Four-door body style with tailgate and four individual seats
  • All-alloy, quad overhead camshaft, 48-valve, 5,935cc V12
  • Front mid-mounted engine, rear-wheel drive
  • Fully catalysed stainless-steel exhaust system with active bypass valves
  • Maximum power: 410kW (558Ps/550bhp) at 6,750rpm
  • Maximum torque: 620Nm at 5,500rpm
  • Acceleration: 0-62mph (100km/h) in 4.9 seconds
  • Maximum speed: 190mph (306km/h)
  • Rear mid-mounted six-speed transmission with electronic shift-by-wire control system
  • Alloy torque tube with carbon-fibre prop shaft
  • Limited-slip differential
Vanquish - a masterful blend of art, technology, craftsmanship and pure adrenalin

IN BRIEF
A masterful blend of art, technology, craftsmanship and pure adrenalin. With all carbon-fibre bodywork sculpted to aesthetic and aerodynamic perfection, and a V12 engine of great potency and efficiency, Vanquish defines a new breed of Super GT.

DETAILS

  • Two-door coupé body style with 2+0 or optional 2+2 seating
  • All-alloy quad overhead camshaft 48-valve 5,935cc V12
  • Front mid-mounted engine, rear-wheel drive
  • Fully catalysed stainless-steel exhaust system with active bypass valves
  • Maximum power: 421kW (573Ps/ 565bhp) at 6,750rpm
  • Maximum torque: 620Nm at 5,500rpm
  • Acceleration: 0-62mph (100km/h) in 4.1 seconds
  • Maximum speed: 183mph (295km/h)
  • Rear mid-mounted six-speed transmission
  • Alloy torque tube with carbon-fibre prop shaft
  • Limited-slip differential