Next-Gen Aston Martin Vantage V12 Teased

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Aston Martin has teased its V12 Vantage again, this time previewing the the flagship alongside its V12 and V12 S predecessors. The new image doesn't reveal much, although we can clearly see a new front end with a reshaped grille that sits higher than the two different grille options on existing V8 models.

Destined to follow the well-trodden and desirable path of shoehorning Aston’s most potent engine into its most compact model, the new V12 Vantage has already been spotted in its development phase and so far promises to be one of next year’s most exciting supercars.

Official details are still scarce, but we do know that Aston Martin will be utilising a twin-turbocharged 5.2-litre V12 engine borrowed from both the DB11 and DBS models. Peak power is unconfirmed, but we suspect given the DBS’s flagship status that power will instead reside somewhere between the DB11 AMR’s 630bhp and the 700bhp of the DBS.

Like all modern Aston Martin sports cars, power will likely be sent through an eight-speed automatic transmission sourced from ZF, rather than the Mercedes-sourced nine-speed found in the new DBX. This is mostly due to its location on the rear axle, which will also help the inevitable shift in weight distribution given the considerable weight gain from the V12 engine.

If you will give it a close, you'll notice that the flagship model is wearing a new grille with horizontal slats, flanked by vertical air intakes. A prominent front spoiler lip is also very apparent and is part of a larger aerodynamic package. Previously, images of its test mule that surfaced from Nurburgring also revealed dual exhaust tips which is not clearly visible in this teaser. Then, it will also have a hood bulge to make room for an engine presumably sourced from the exclusive V12 Speedster. It's a 5.3-litre, twin-turbo V12 motor which is expected to belt out 681 bhp and 753 Nm of peak torque.

This might include an adoption of the V12 Speedster’s dash layout, which is completely different to both the current Vantage and DB, incorporating more touch-sensitive control elements and a larger touchscreen interface that features a newer version of Mercedes’ MBUX interface.

Exterior styling should also be given a substantial update to coincide with the V12 engine, incorporating new front and rear bumpers alongside a modern interpretation of the distinctive slatted bonnet that dominated the previous generation V12 Vantage’s aesthetic.

We’ll have to wait until next year to quantify these ruminations upon its reveal, but the one thing we do know is that this V12 Vantage won’t be a limited edition, but rather a final edition, as Aston Martin has since confirmed that it won’t produce any more V12 Vantages after this model’s production run is through. With tightening emissions regulations, and the push towards new hybridised powertrains in its future supercars like the Valhalla, it looks like time is being called on this most iconic of Aston Martin nameplates, but let’s just be thankful we’ve got one more generation to enjoy.

Credit: evo.co.uk

 

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Aston Martin V12 Vantage set for 16 March 2022 debut

Aston Martin has teased its upcoming V12 Vantage once again – this time revealing the reveal date and a brief clip of its engine note.

The new V12 Vantage front end has already been unveiled to a certain extent, showing off a wider grille to meet the cooling demands of the new V12 engine. There’s also some new cooling vents in the bonnet to expel excess heat from the engine bay and an aggressive lower splitter.

The new V12 Vantage probably won’t have as much power as the V12 Speedster. An output closer to the 600bhp offered in the DB11 is more likely – and that should provide plenty of performance given the smaller dimensions and lighter weight of the Vantage’s body.

In a previous teaser for the new V12 Vantage, the British brand also released an extremely short statement which read: “You’ve heard about it. You will certainly hear it coming. V12 Vantage. It’s not just a Limited Edition, it’s a Final Edition. Returning in 2022.”

This suggests that Aston Martin will make the next V12 Vantage the last of the breed, with tightening emissions regulations forcing the company towards electrification and downsized petrol engines.

The arrival of this hardcore Vantage could follow a comprehensive facelift of the standard model. Both will form part of a brand offensive, dubbed “Project Horizon,” which will include a coupe-SUV variant of the DBX, the recently unveiled Valhalla supercar and the potential for hybridisation of the entire Aston Martin range.
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Aston Martin V12 Vantage to make public dynamic debut on 23 June

Aston Martin has confirmed its new V12 Vantage will take part in the hill climb event, alongside some other special cars from the British brand.

The latest V12 Vantage will be the last outing for engines of this kind in the Vantage model line: the Porsche 911 rival will never again be equipped with twelve-cylinders. Visitors to this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed will have a chance to see the fastest and most powerful road-going Vantage in action, however.

Appearing with the V12 Vantage on the hill will be the Valkyrie hypercar and DBX707 super SUV. The Vantage will also feature on the static display, joined by the one-off Aston Martin Bulldog concept car from 1979.

The V12 Vantage utilises the 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12 also found in the larger DB11 and the DBS Superleggera. Tuned to deliver 690bhp and 753Nm of torque (identical figures to the new Vantage-derived V12 Speedster), Aston claims that the V12 Vantage will be able to sprint from 0-62mph in 3.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 200mph. For comparison, the 503bhp V8 Vantage will go from 0-62mph in 3.6 seconds before topping out at 195mph, but without the all-important V12 soundtrack of the newcomer.

Power is sent through a specially-calibrated ZF eight-speed automatic transmission to the rear wheels only, in contrast to the all-wheel-drive Porsche 911 Turbo S that this car counts as a key rival. The V12 Vantage has also been given some choice chassis upgrades to cope with the extra grunt and weight of the 12-cylinder engine. These include new adaptive dampers, revised anti-roll bars, stiffer spring rates, standard carbon ceramic brakes and Michelin Pilot 4S tyres wrapped over a new design of 21-inch wheels. Aston Martin says the steering has also been changed to deliver a sharper response.

To incorporate a wider track, plus the need for more cooling and downforce, we see the V12 Vantage has received plenty of exterior tweaks. The body has been widened by 40mm and Aston Martin says it has ‘employed extensive use of carbon fibre’ in the new design, in order to reduce weight and offset the additional heft of the larger engine. Weight saving measures include a new carbon fibre front bumper and clamshell bonnet, while there’s also composite front wings and side sills, rear bumper and deck lid, a new lightweight battery and a new centre-mounted twin-exit exhaust system, which saves 7.2kg over the V8 Vantage’s exhaust.

We can see a larger grille similar to the Vantage F1 Edition as well as bigger vent in the front wing and a new ‘horseshoe’ engine vent integrated into the bonnet which should all help improve cooling to that big V12 engine.

Aston Martin says the V12 Vantage can produce 204kg of downforce at its top speed and this has been achieved by adding a new front splitter, unique rear bumper and diffuser along with a fixed rear wing. There’s also an option for customers to delete the rear wing for a sleeker look. Protruding out of the diffuser we see a new exhaust system which saves 7.2kg over the regular V8 Vantage.

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New Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster debuts at Pebble Beach

Aston Martin has unveiled the Roadster version of its V12 Vantage, featuring the same hardcore focus over the regular Vantage as the coupe we saw earlier this year. Like the coupe, the Roadster will be a limited-run affair, but even rarer - just 249 will be built, compared to the 333-unit cap on the hard-top V12 Vantage. Also like the coupe, every V12 Vantage Roadster has already been accounted for, despite production not starting until September.

The V12 Vantage coupe was priced from £265,000 and we expect the Roadster to sit around the £300,000 mark due to its added rarity.

First off there’s the engine. It’s unchanged from the V12 Vantage, so we have a 5.2-litre, twin-turbocharged V12. The power figures also remain the same with the unit pumping out 690bhp and 753Nm of torque. The V12’s exhaust system features again, weighing 7.2kg less than the V8’s system.

While the standard, V8-powered Vantage Roadster delivers a slightly slower 0-62mph time and lower top speed than its coupe counterpart, the V12 Roadster is just as fast as the coupe. That means it’ll do 0-60mph in 3.5 seconds and top out at 200mph.

Power is sent through a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission to the rear wheels, and to help bring some stability to the mix there’s a mechanical limited-slip differential too. The chassis has also been looked at with the Roadster featuring the same suspension as the coupe, although the adaptive damping has been tuned further. Making sure the Roadster stops properly are a brace of 410mm carbon ceramic discs at the front with six-piston calipers and 360mm discs at the rear with four-piston calipers.

The exterior gets some noticeable revisions over the standard Vantage. As we’ve seen before with the new V12 model, the entire front end has been reworked, featuring a larger and more aggressive air outlet on the front wing and a completely re-styled rear bumper. The V12 model also has a 40mm wider track than the V8.

New 21-inch alloy wheels finished in satin black or diamond-cut satin are available. There’s also an optional lightweight forged wheel set which saves an extra eight kilograms. These are wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres. Towards the rear you’ll notice the omission of the large wing we saw on the coupe, although Aston Martin says the rear spoiler can be added if desired.

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