In response to unprecedented customer demand, Aston Martin has confirmed that the V12 Vantage – the most potent production sports car in the marque’s 96-year history - will be made available in North America from later this year.
Photo: 2011 Aston Martin V12 Vantage
View more 2011 Aston Martin V12 Vantage
Based on the hugely successful V8 Vantage, the V12 Vantage features a 6.0 litre V12 engine producing 510 bhp (380 kW / 517 PS), and 420 lb ft (570 Nm) of torque with a top speed of 190 mph (305 km/h) and a 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) time of 4.2 seconds.
Photo: 2011 Aston Martin V12 Vantage
Originally launched in 2009, the V12 Vantage has quickly established itself as a firm favourite with enthusiasts and media observers alike, winning a series of accolades and praise around the world and proving a huge sales success for the British marque.
Aston Martin Chief Executive Officer, Dr Ulrich Bez said: “This is the ultimate performance interpretation of the Vantage range, combining our most agile model with our most powerful engine. It represents the definitive Aston Martin driving experience; providing spectacular performance to ensure a dynamically thrilling drive in a highly exclusive package.
Photo: 2011 Aston Martin V12 Vantage
Although the originally small anticipated level of demand from North America meant that the car would not be homologated for the market, unprecedented demand from customers prompted an engineering study into potential feasibility; with the strict brief that any changes could not impact on the overall design of the car. Now just six months later, a series of engineering refinements have been introduced to satisfy the specific requirements of the North American market.
Benefitting from the modular nature of the VH architecture, the Aston Martin engineering team were able to review the virtual and physical testing data for all modern era Aston Martins. Following this study a detailed Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) analysis resulted in the development of an alternative load transfer path, incorporating an innovative version of the structure at the front of the car, which now satisfies North American requirements.
Photo: 2011 Aston Martin V12 Vantage
Aston Martin Chief Commercial Officer, Michael van der Sande commented: “We are very pleased to be able to respond to customer demand and launch this car in North America – still our biggest market globally.
“This illustrates one of Aston Martin’s key strengths – the ability to act quickly and turn concepts and ideas into reality, giving our customers what they want.
Photo: 2011 Aston Martin V12 Vantage
For launch in North America, the Aston Martin V12 Vantage will also be available in a highly desirable and strictly limited Carbon Black special edition.
This new special edition adds a typically understated flair to V12 Vantage. On the exterior, the car features a bespoke Carbon Black metallic paint with a subtle metallic twist to create a deep rich patina; painstakingly created through a hand painting process taking 50 man hours. The iconic Aston Martin side strake has been fashioned from real carbon fibre backed by a black mesh and complimented with gloss black 10 spoke diamond turned alloy wheels. A bright finished grille and front parking sensors (normally an option) complete the exterior detailing.
Inside, owners will be greeted to swathes of Obsidian Black leather highlighted with a contrast silver coarse stitch all hand stitched by the craftspeople at Gaydon – Aston Martin’s global headquarters in England. Also featured are a Piano black facia trim, centre stack and centre console, anodised black tread plates and unique sill plaques build on the carbon theme. The normally optional Aston Martin 700w Premium Audio System is delivered as standard equipment.
Photo: 2011 Aston Martin V12 Vantage
Designed for the focused driver, every component of the V12 Vantage has been honed with pure driving enjoyment in mind. Benefitting from race-developed materials and components; performance and agility have been tuned to perfection.
The latest incarnation of the Vantage family has been designed to provide a unique character, appealing to different driver tastes and complementing the other models in the current Aston Martin line-up.
Visually enticing, the V12 Vantage expresses its performance potential through its purposeful stance created by enhanced aerodynamic and cooling aids optically widening the car, while retaining traditional understated Aston Martin design. Equally inviting, the cosseting interior permits the driver to extract maximum performance ability from the car while also enjoying customary levels of Aston Martin comfort on longer journeys. High levels of power and torque are available at all engine speeds making the V12 Vantage responsive and tractable in any driving situation.
Photo: 2011 Aston Martin V12 Vantage
The V12 Vantage is also as at home on the track as it is on the road; last year as the final engineering durability test for the car, a near-standard specification V12 Vantage competed in the gruelling Nürburgring 24-hour race driving to a class victory at the hands representatives from the company’s engineering team, including CEO Dr Ulrich Bez. A similar V12 Vantage is set to compete in the 2010 race this May.
The V12 Vantage is built at Aston Martin’s global headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire joining the DBS, DB9 and V8 Vantage model lines which are built in the state-of-the-art production facility combining hi-tech manufacturing processes with traditional hand-craftsmanship.
Photo: 2011 Aston Martin V12 Vantage
The V12 Vantage is available to order now and deliveries to North America are expected to commence during quarter four 2010 with prices to be confirmed in the coming weeks.
More information on the Aston Martin V12 Vantage
V12 Vantage: Aston Martin’s most exhilarating sports car
• Fastest and most agile Vantage ever; ultimate performance interpretation of the Vantage range
• Purposeful, striking and functional styling signalling performance capabilities
• Everyday usability associated with a modern Aston Martin
• Race-derived technology used throughout
Based on the hugely successful V8 Vantage, the V12 Vantage features a 6.0-litre V12 engine producing 510 bhp (380 kW / 517 PS), and 570 Nm (420 lb ft) of torque with a top speed of 190 mph (305 km/h) and 0-62 mph (0-100 kp/h) time of 4.2 seconds.
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