The new Aston Martin V12 Vantage will be the last to come with the brand’s in-house 5.2-litre 12-cylinder engine.
Not wanting to be confused with its fractionally-slower V8 siblings, the V12 Vantage sports an in-your-face design that’s 40mm wider.
Up front the V12 Vantage features an aggressive fascia with a full-width splitter to generate more downforce, while additional dollops of cool air are delivered to the engine through a 25 per cent larger grille. The DBX707 SUV has a very similar look.
A wide horse shoe-shaped vent in the bonnet helps with engine cooling, and is said to provide a visual link to the V12 Vantage GT3 race car.
Along the side there’s a new one-piece sill that sweeps up dramatically into the larger front fender vent, while at the back there’s a massive diffuser slicing through the bumper and housing two centrally-mounted exhaust tips.
A massive rear wing is said to generate 204kg of downforce at top speed. If the rear wing is a little too 1990s Lancer Evo for your tastes, it can be deleted on request.
The 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12 makes 515kW at 6500rpm, and 753Nm between 1800 and 6000rpm. This engine drives the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission and a limited-slip differential.
Aston Martin claims the V12 Vantage can complete the 0-100km/h dash in 3.5 seconds, and hit a top speed of 322km/h (or 200mph in the old money).
For comparison, the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 Vantage has 375kW and 685Nm, and reels off the 0-100km/h run in 3.6 seconds before topping out at 314km/h.
The V12 Vantage comes standard with 21-inch alloy wheels with either a satin black or satin black diamond turned finish. There’s an optional lightweight design in, you guessed it, satin black that trims 8kg from the car’s weight.
All wheel options are paired with Michelin Pilot 4S tyres measuring 275/35 up front, and 315/30 at the rear.
Stopping ability comes courtesy of a standard carbon ceramic braking package with 410mm by 38mm discs with six-piston calipers at the front, and 360mm by 32mm discs fitted with four-pot calipers at the rear.
Naturally there are plenty of options and customisations available, including carbon-fibre shell seats that save 7.3kg, exterior graphic and livery packages, painted wheels, different brake caliper colours, woven faux suede interior trim, anodised rotary dials, and tinted lacquer for any exposed carbon-fibre pieces.
Production of the V12 Vantage is due to start this month, with deliveries set to commence some time during the second quarter.
Just 333 V12 Vantages will be produced. If you’re interested but not already in the order book, it’s too late, the car is already sold out.
