Aston Martin has taken the covers off its new - and last ever - V12 Vantage coupe. Significant changes in all areas set the new car apart from the standard Vantage. Only 333 examples will be made and every one of them is already spoken for.
That V12 though
This isn't the first time that Aston Martin has shoehorned its biggest and most powerful engine under the bonnet of its smallest and most driver-focused car, but the recipe is still astounding. The 5.2-litre V12 uses twin-turbocharging to produce up to 700hp at 6,500rpm and 753Nm of torque - the latter on tap from 1,800- to 6,000rpm. Even with a weight increase, this car has a 20 per cent higher power-to-weight ratio than the V8-engined Vantage. That translates into a 0-100km/h time of 3.4 seconds, on the way to a 320km/h top speed.
We're promised that the V12 engine will sound good too, thanks in part to a lightweight stainless-steel exhaust with a new centre-exit design.
Power is fed to the back wheels via an eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox with an adaptive calibration, while there's also a mechanical limited slip differential as standard. Reining it all in when needed is a carbon-ceramic braking system that can better withstand persistent high temperatures. It also saves 23kg of unsprung weight.
Aston's engineers have modified the chassis of the Vantage to suit the new engine, fitting a new adaptive damping system, significantly stiffer springs (though with secondary 'tender' springs at the back to aid comfort), new bushings and new anti-roll bars. To allow all this work effectively, the suspension mountings have been reinforced, as has the body, resulting in useful gains in outright rigidity.
Widebody design
The V12 Vantage gets a unique package of aerodynamic and aesthetic upgrades to set it apart. Most notable is the 40mm increase in width, covering the wider track, with most of the new components made from carbon fibre. Up front is a new bumper, larger grille and a prominent low splitter.
At the back, there's another new bumper, incorporating an aerodynamic diffuser. Up top is a prominent fixed wing, though buyers can opt to have this removed. Aston Martin quotes a downforce figure of 204kg at top speed. Buyers can choose between two different 21-inch alloy wheel design or a third lightweight option.
More carbon inside
While specially upholstered sports seats are standard, they can be optionally replaced by a new carbon fibre bucket design to shave more weight from the car. Meanwhile, the rear load space is open and the rear strut brace is visible.
It's expected that most buyers of the V12 Vantage will tailor their cars through the 'Q by Aston Martin: Commission' service, allowing tinted carbon fibre lacquers, exterior graphics, woven leather and Alcantara trim elements and even colour-coding for the anodised rotary dials.
Though this will be the final V12 Vantage ever made, Aston Martin has already committed to using this engine to power its cars until 2026 at the least.