British luxury brand to build just 333 examples of its final – and finest – V12 Vantage; all of them are sold
The final Aston Martin V12 Vantage has made its world debut and the British sports car brand claims it will be its “fastest, fiercest, and most dynamically accomplished” Vantage ever.
Guaranteeing its exclusivity, Aston Martin will produce just 333 examples of the last V12-powered Vantage globally, and says it’s already had to close the order book due to “unprecedented demand” – even before first customer deliveries begin in the second quarter of this year.
Sending the V12 Vantage off with a bang, Aston Martin’s swansong V12-powered answer to the Porsche 911 marks the final batch of Vantage models to be fitted with the British car-maker’s twin-turbocharged 5.2-litre V12, as the brand moves toward electrification.
The luxury car-maker launched the teaser campaign for its final-edition V12 Vantage late last year, which gave us an early glimpse at styling cues such as its huge rear spoiler, as well as soundbites of its 515kW 12-cylinder engine revving.
The V12 is matched with a ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic transmission and mechanical limited-slip differential, with the rear-wheel drive sports car producing a maximum 753Nm of torque.
Now, Aston Martin has revealed full details, including a widebody design accommodating a 40mm increase in track thanks to staggered-width 21-inch alloy wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S rubber, while an aerodynamic package is said to generate 204kg of downforce at top speed.
A claimed 0-100km/h sprint time of just 3.4 seconds means the final V12 Vantage will be quicker than the brand’s V12 Speedster (0-100km/h: 3.5sec), but only just. Top speed is 321km/h.
Weight-saving carbon-fibre is used on the front bumper, clamshell bonnet, front guards and side sills, while the rear bumper is made of composite materials and the dual exhaust system is made from lightweight stainless steel.
Elsewhere, a full-width front splitter aids downforce, while extra air intakes come courtesy of a larger front grille.
Aston says spring rates have been increased all round, with stiffer anti-roll bars and a new adaptive damping suspension system said to also improve handling.
There’s also a new steering calibration to deliver sharper response, along with a Carbon Ceramic Braking (CCB) system as standard, including large six-piston brake callipers up front and four-potters at the rear.
That helps reduce unsprung weight by 23kg overall and is said to resist brake fade at temperatures up to 800 degrees.
Inside the cabin there’s the debut of lighter new carbon-fibre performance seats, while the brand’s signature semi-aniline leather is used throughout. There’s also the option to individually tailor your final-edition V12 Vantage, via Aston’s bespoke Q by Aston Martin service.
Aston Martin boss Tobias Moers said every great sports car brand has a hero car.
“For Aston Martin in more recent years that car has been the V12 Vantage,” he said.
“Right from the moment the first V12 Vantage RS Concept was shown back in 2007 our customers and fans around the world fell in love with the idea of fitting our biggest engine into our smallest and most sporting model. The recipe has been refined over the years with great success, but the essence has remained the same.”
“Now it is time to bring this bloodline to a close, fittingly with the most spectacular example yet – the fastest, most powerful and most dynamically capable V12 Vantage ever. A celebration of its forebears and an embodiment of Aston Martin’s intensifying focus on driving dynamics, it ensures the V12 Vantage goes out on the highest of highs”.
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Keyword: Final Aston Martin V12 Vantage revealed