Aston-Martin | The Vantage celebrates its V12 for the last time

Beyond its suave and ingeniously indissociable image of James Bond, Aston Martin is also a love affair with automobile mechanics. There was the eloquence of the six-cylinder in line, at a certain time, which gave life to real mobile sculptures. Later, it was the V12 which entered the scene, marking the imagination of the contemporary phase of the manufacturer. He is about to bow out not without receiving certain tributes. The V12 Vantage is one of those.

Charles Rene
The Press

The English brand presented a few days ago a brand new version of its sports coupe receiving for the last time the contribution of a V12. Foregrounding its literal mechanics in its name, this V12 Vantage tribute livery will see its production limited to 333 copies worldwide. For those interested, they are unfortunately all already sold out due to “unprecedented demand”, said Aston Martin.

Never mind, the act of bolting a big V12 in the front center position in the manufacturer’s smallest model remains as fascinating to analyze as ever. With a displacement of 5.2 L and benefiting from the breath of two turbochargers, it produces 690 hp for this occasion, a more than appreciable gain of 163 hp compared to the most powerful V8 version of the model. The head of the orchestral ensemble remains the ZF eight-speed automatic transmission which shines in many manufacturers’ ranges. It relays 555 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels through an electronic limited-slip differential.

Unlike the DBS, the only shape offered will be a coupe in the case of this Vantage. Several body elements are also made of carbon fiber in an effort to reduce weight. Aston Martin, however, did not release the figure displayed on the scale. Various redesigned aerodynamic appendages have also been added to the recipe, including the front spoiler, the rear diffuser and the rear spoiler. This provides 204 kg of downforce at its top speed (322 km/h), or the equivalent of two Shea Webers.

The chassis is also not left as is. Engineers increased spring rates by 50% in the front and 40% in the rear to better control movement. When the bend comes at the end of a long straight line, it is the carbon-ceramic discs pinched by six-piston calipers at the front and four pistons at the rear which intervene.

The first copies of the V12 Vantage will be delivered later this year at an undisclosed price, but which should greatly exceed that of the V8 versions.