The Aston Martin Vantage is a two-seater sports car built by British manufacturer Aston Martin since 2018. It replaced the previous model Vantage of 2005 which had been in production for 12 years.
Models
V8 Vantage (2018–2023)
The Vantage V8 Coupe was unveiled on 21 November 2017. Deliveries began in June 2018.[4][5] The Vantage uses powertrain and infotainment technology from Mercedes-Benz, like the DB11. The Vantage uses Mercedes-AMG's M177,[6] 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine that has a power output of 510 PS and 505 lbft of torque as is equipped with the Mercedes COMAND system.[7][8] The Vantage V8 is capable of accelerating from 0-62 mph in 3.6 seconds, and attaining a top speed of 314 km/h.[9][10]
The Vantage uses a rear-mounted 8-speed automatic gearbox manufactured by ZF Friedrichshafen, and will be the only vehicle that pairs the Mercedes-AMG V8 with a manual transmission when the combination is made available.[7][11][12] The engine is positioned as far back within the chassis as possible, and a 50/50 front/rear weight distribution has been achieved with the car.[13] The Vantage is also the first Aston Martin production car to feature an electronically controlled differential with torque vectoring, and is built around the same all-new bonded-aluminium platform as the DB11, although around 70% of its components are said to be unique to the Vantage.[14] The car has a dry weight of 1530 kg.[15]
The design of the Vantage is inspired by the track-only Vulcan and the purpose made DB10 that appeared in the James Bond film Spectre.[8] The front grille, specifically inspired by the Vulcan, helps in efficient engine cooling.[16] For purposes of weight saving, the Vantage forfeits the passenger glove compartment and maintains a simple centre console design.[17]
V8 Vantage AMR
Appearing in 2019, the Vantage AMR is a track-focused variant of the Vantage. The main highlight of the model is the replacement of the ZF 8-speed automatic transmission with a dog-leg Graziano Trasmissioni 7-speed manual transmission previously used on the V12 Vantage S. The AMR also comes with a driver-selectable AMSHIFT system which controls the throttle during gear shifting. A new limited-slip differential ensures linear delivery of power. The power-band of the engine is wider and the unit is designed to deliver 625 Nm of torque from 2,000 rpm to 5,000 rpm. The use of a manual transmission and carbon-ceramic brakes reduce the weight by 95 kg. New adaptive dampers with the section of Sport, Sport + and Track modes improve handling. Performance figures include a 0–97 kph acceleration time of 3.9 seconds, half a second less than the standard Vantage while the top speed remains the same as the standard model. Visual changes include 20-inch forged wheels as available on the Rapide AMR, new carbon fibre side vents and cooling vents present on the bonnet a sports exhaust system with quad tailpipes and racing bucket seats.
Production of the AMR will be limited to 200 units worldwide. Available exterior colours for the AMR include Sabiro Blue, Onyx Black, China Grey and White Stone. The final 59 cars will be finished in a Stirling Green exterior colour with Lime accents and will pay homage to the 1959 24 Hours of LeMans victory of Aston Martin. Once the production of the AMR ceases, the 7-speed manual transmission will become available on the standard Vantage.[18][19]
V8 Vantage Roadster
Revealed in February 2020, the Vantage Roadster is a convertible version of the V8 Coupe with a fabric roof. The roof, claimed to be the fastest of any automotive automatic convertible system, takes 6.7 seconds to lower and 6.8 seconds to raise and can be operated at speeds of up to 50 km/h.[20][21] The Vantage Roadster has a dry weight of 1628 kg.[22]
V8 Vantage 007 Edition
The 007 Edition is a version of the V8 Coupe commemorating the film No Time to Die. Inspired by the Aston Martin V8 Vantage from the 1987 James Bond film The Living Daylights, the Vantage 007 Edition comes equipped with a unique mesh grille and chrome bezel, as well as Cumberland Grey exterior paint over an obsidian black leather interior. Production is limited to 100 units.[23][24]
V12 Speedster
In March 2020, Aston Martin introduced the V12 Speedster, a production car inspired by the DBR1 of the late 1950s and the 2013 CC100 Speedster concept. Aston Martin will produce 88 units at a base price of $950,000. It uses a 5.2-litre twin turbo V12 based on the one from the DBS Superleggera but with less power and torque. The engine sends its power to a ZF 8-speed gearbox.[25] It can accelerate from in 3.5 seconds and has a top speed of 300 km/h. It has 21-inch forged, centre-locking wheels, carbon ceramic brakes and adaptive dampers.[26] It uses a version of the Vantage roadster's bonded aluminium chassis, along with most of the front-end structure of the DBS Superleggera grafted on to accommodate the larger size of its V12. It has pods behind the seats that are sized to transport helmets and a removable leather bag where the glovebox would normally be.[27]
F1 Safety Car
The V8 Vantage became the official safety car of Formula One alongside the Mercedes-AMG GT R Safety Car in early 2021. The Vantage Safety Car has a British Racing Green livery with neon yellow accents, and it has been modified to fit with Safety Car standards.[28][29][30] The car made its debut as the Safety Car at the 2021 Bahrain Grand Prix. A new Vantage F1 Safety Car based on the 2025 model year was unveiled in March 2024, replacing the previous Vantage F1 Safety Car starting from the 2024 season.[31][32] Mid 2025 it got replaced with the new Vantage S.[33]
V8 Vantage F1 Edition
The F1 Edition is a version of the V8 Coupe and V8 Roadster commemorating Aston Martin's return to Formula One after 61 years. The car features a fixed rear wing, increased engine power to 535 PS,[34] a top speed of 314 km/h, new 21-inch wheel rims, and a 0–100 kph acceleration time of 3.5 seconds.[35][36] The car is available in three colours: Aston Martin Racing Green, Jet Black, and Lunar White.[37] A convertible version called the Roadster is also available.[38][39]
V12 Vantage
In December 2021, Aston Martin confirmed that a V12 Vantage was in development and was slated to be released in 2022.[40][41][42] The V12 Vantage was officially unveiled on 16 March 2022, and its production was limited to just 333 units.[43][44] It uses Aston Martin's AE31 5.2-litre twin-turbocharged V12 and has a power output of 700 PS and 555 lb-ft (753 Nm) of torque. Additionally, the V12 Vantage features revised suspension, a 40mm increase in track width, a new aerodynamic kit which generates up to 204 kg of downforce, and has a 0–100 kph acceleration time of 3.5 seconds.[45]
V12 Vantage Roadster
Aston Martin revealed at 2022 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elégance a convertible version of the V12 Vantage. It develops 700 PS and only 249 examples will be produced, all sold out.[51][52] It has a kerb weight of 1850 kg.[53]
2024 facelift
For the 2025 model year, the Vantage was given a significant rework.[54][55] The new model features an all-new front fascia with updated side and rear styling, updated interior with new proprietary infotainment with 10.25-inch screen similar to the DB12, stiffened body structure, smarter active dynamics, and a larger radiator grille which increases airflow to the radiators by 50 percent.[56][57]
The most noticeable change is a heavily reworked version of the 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine producing 665 PS and 590 lbft of torque.[57][58] This is the largest increase in power output from a predecessor in Aston Martin history, with a power increase of 30% at 155 PS and a torque increase of 15% at 85 lbft.
Motorsport
GTE
The Aston Martin Vantage GTE (also known as the Aston Martin Vantage AMR) is an endurance Grand Tourer developed by Aston Martin Racing, the motorsports arm of the British automobile manufacturer Aston Martin. It is based on the 2018 Aston Martin Vantage, and is the successor of the Aston Martin Vantage GT2, and its later derivatives.[67] The car was launched on the 22nd of November 2017, alongside its road-going counterpart in London.[68] The car is noted to be capable of being converted from Group GTE specification to Group GT3 specification.[69]
The Vantage GTE is the GTE-class racing version of the Vantage made to compete in the
External links
- Aston Martin page: V8 Coupe, V8 Roadster, F1 Edition, V12 Vantage
- Press kit: Vantage
References
- Aston Martin Vantage 2018 review Autocar, 11 April 2018, retrieved 5 October 2021^
- 2021 Aston Martin Vantage Roadster First Drive Review: Icy Cool motor1.com, 2 July 2021, retrieved 5 October 2021^
- New Aston Martin Vantage Roadster unveiled with 656bhp twin-turbo V8