KUALA LUMPUR: Aston Martin’s new Vantage F1 Edition is now available locally at a recommended retail price of RM978,000 onwards excluding taxes, duties and other options.
As the apex variant of the Vantage line-up, the Vantage F1 Edition is offered in Coupe and Roadster variations, and is a direct result of the engineering that went into the development of the Vantage as an Official Safety Car of Formula 1.
The engineering team had targeted intelligent, incremental improvements across multiple areas of the Vantage F1 Edition’s automatic-only powertrain, chassis and aerodynamics to bring out more character, increase tactility and expand its outright capabilities.
The enhanced new edition is distinguished by its vaned grille as standard, 2×2 Twill Carbon Fibre exterior detailing, unique graphics, quad exhausts, and newly designed Satin Black 21-inch alloy wheels.
Its 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine has been honed to deliver additional 25PS to 535PS over the regular Vantage’s, while maximum torque is kept unchanged at 685Nm to ensure peak torque is sustained longer to further increase tractability and in-gear urgency.
The eight-speed automatic transmission has also been optimised with torque cut during upshifts to reduce shift times and increase the feeling of directness and precision.
Being the most track-focused production Vantage to date, its chassis has also been reworked to increase front structural stiffness for a further improvement in steering feel and response while dampers now have extended effective force range.
Increased rear spring rate and lateral stiffness also help sharpen turn-in and increase traction, especially over bumps and ensure the rear end is tuned to aid the front end’s rate of response.
Meanwhile, a comprehensive aero kit has been put in place to deliver positive front and rear downforce, totalling up to 200kg more downforce than the Vantage at top speed while optimising the overall balance of the vehicle.
The aero package now consists of a full-width front splitter, front dive planes, underbody turning vanes, and a very obvious new rear wing.
Wheels are now one size up from 20-inch on the regular Vantage to 21-inch as standard for the F1 Edition – the first time the Vantage has been fitted such size and shod in Pirelli’s 255/35ZR21 tyres in front and 295/30ZR21 in the rear, also developed specifically for the F1 Edition.
Distinctive colour palettes and trim options for the F1 Edition include one that celebrates Aston Martin’s return to Formula 1 with an Aston Martin Racing Green colour scheme, mimicking the Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One Team car, as well as the Official Safety Car of Formula 1.
Exterior paint colours are available in both a Satin or Gloss finish and other colour options include Jet Black and Lunar White, all of which are completed by a Solid Matte Dark Grey racing graphic.
Inside the Vantage F1 Edition features new Obsidian Black Leather and Phantom Grey Alcantara upholstery and trim, with a choice of Lime Green, Obsidian Black, Titanium Grey or Spicy Red contrast stripe and stitching.
It’s the first-ever unit in Malaysia that can be viewed in the Aston Martin Kuala Lumpur showroom in Etiqa Twins, Jalan Pinang, Kuala Lumpur.
Keyword: Aston Martin Vantage F1 Edition arrives from RM978,000 before duties and options