When Aston Martin unveiled its all-new Vantage coupe in late 2017, insiders made it clear there’d be no V-12 version like before. The new Vantage would be V-8 only, an entry-level Aston aimed at Porsche’s 911, they said. A successor to the charismatic V12 Vantage launched in 2009 was not part of the plan. Tobias Moers ripped up that plan.
Meet the 2023 Aston Martin V12 Vantage. Developed at the express direction of Moers, the former head of Mercedes-AMG who stepped into the CEO’s job at Aston in 2020, it is the fastest and most powerful Vantage ever built.
“You need exciting products,” says Moers. “Then you create excitement in the marketplace.” Indeed. Just 333 V12 Vantages will be built, and such is the seduction of Aston’s biggest engine shoehorned into its smallest car, all have been already been sold.
Small Sports Car, Big Engine
Under that dramatically reprofiled hood is a version of the 5.2-liter, twin-turbo Aston Martin V-12 that makes 690 hp at 6500 rpm and 542 lb-ft of torque from 1800 rpm to 6000 rpm. The engine drives through a specially calibrated version of the ZF eight-speed automatic transmission and a mechanical limited slip differential.
Thanks to extensive weight saving measures, including the standard 16.1-inch front and 14.2-inch rear carbon-ceramic brakes that save 51 pounds; a stainless-steel exhaust that’s 15.8 pounds lighter than the standard Vantage system; and the fitment of a carbon-fiber hood, front fenders, rear decklid and front and rear bumpers; Aston says the V12 Vantage has a 20 percent better power-to-weight ratio than the V-8-powered car. Claimed top speed is 200 mph, with the 0-60 mph sprint taking 3.4 seconds.
Chassis upgrades include a new adaptive damping system, revised bushing, and stiffer front top mounts. To ensure the suspension has the best possible platform to work with, the overall body stiffness has been increased with additional front and rear sheer panels, a rear suspension tower strut brace, and fuel tank bracing.
Spring rates have been increased 50 percent at the front axle, and 40 percent at the rear, while the front stabilizer bar is five percent stiffer. The rear stabilizer bar is 41 percent softer, and an additional spring with a lower rate than the main spring has been added to ensure ride comfort without compromising dynamic performance.
Wide Track, Bigger Mouth
The fenders have been teased out over a track that’s 1.6 inches wider than that of the regular Vantage. To help keep the big V-12 engine cool, the redesigned front bumper frames a grille that is 25 percent larger, and a large, rear facing vent stretches across the front of the redesigned hood. Large, single piece side sills extend from the vents in the front fenders.
At the rear is a new bumper with an integrated diffuser to help maintain aerodynamic balance, and a centrally mounted, twin tailpipe exhaust system. A dramatic rear wing works with the new front splitter to create 450 pounds of downforce at 200 mph. The wing is a delete option for those owners who want their V12 Vantage to fly under the radar.
Standard wheels are 21-inch alloys in two new designs, each available in satin black with diamond-turned highlights, or just satin black, with a lightweight wheel that saves 17.6lb available as an option. Standard tires are Michelin Pilot 4Ses, sized 275/35 R21 at the front and 315/30 R21 at the rear.
The interior shares much with the V8 Vantage and is highly customizable. The woven leather or Alcantara seat inserts, trim inlays and the anodised rotary dials found in the center console can be configured to match or contrast with the exterior body or graphic color. The optional lightweight sports seat with its exposed carbon-fiber shell features manual six-way adjustment, is as unique to the V12 Vantage, however, as its twelve-cylinder namesake.
Production of the Aston Martin V12 Vantage is due to commence before the end of the first quarter of this year, with the first cars being delivered to customers by June.
Keyword: 2023 Aston Martin V12 Vantage First Look: Actually, More Of a Last Look