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Following five years of anticipation, Aston Martin has unveiled the ultimate V12 Vantage in its lineup. This latest and final edition of the vehicle adheres to a well-known recipe—a compact, agile Vantage coupe coupled with a potent, sizeable V12 engine—with a commitment to bid farewell in a remarkable and exceptional manner.
The closing chapter of the Vantage V12 saga will showcase Aston’s latest in-house, twin-turbocharged 5.2-liter V12 powerplant from the DBS and DB11, tuned to generate 690 horsepower and 555 pound-feet of torque. It boasts a top speed of 200 miles per hour and sprints from 0 to 60 in 3.4 seconds, driven by the ZF eight-speed gearbox found across the brand’s sportscar range. Aston claims this to be the mightiest V12 Vantage ever crafted. In a classic Vantage fashion, enhancements include weight reduction, increased downforce, reinforced body structure, and a rigid suspension setup with softer rear anti-roll bars, likely aimed at enhancing predictability and reducing oversteer tendencies.
Aston Martin
Aesthetically, the factory’s limited-run model flaunts a 40mm increase in track width, enveloped by a visually appealing widebody kit. This broader stance introduces a larger front grille, an enhanced front splitter, while at the rear, new dual exhaust outlets, a rear diffuser, and a prominent rear wing accentuate the fact that this is no ordinary Vantage with a standard eight-cylinder engine; it embodies the revered V12 spirit. For enthusiasts seeking further distinction, complete color customization is available for the entire vehicle, down to the nuances of the carbon fiber weave, encouraging buyers to explore unique configurations.
At present, the most potent Vantage variant is the F1 Edition, emanating 527 horsepower from a Mercedes-derived twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 engine, a model I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing previously. During my encounter with the preceding flagship Vantage, I personally found it sufficiently rapid (with its larger, V12-equipped sibling DBS bordering on excessive speed), indicating that potential buyers of the novel V12 Vantage must have a fervor for performance. Despite adding 163 horsepower compared to its predecessor, the V12 version is merely two-tenths of a second quicker in the sprint to 60mph and reaches a slighter velocity than the V8 edition. Evidently, the focus is on optimizing drivability rather than solely chasing performance figures.
The similarities between the V12 and V8 are abundant despite their differences. The ZF eight-speed has been finely adjusted to provide a decent imitation of a dual-clutch’s speediness, even though it remains a conventional automatic transmission. I discovered the F1 Edition’s handling to be superb for enjoying spirited drives through canyons, though it can feel a bit harsh on uneven roads. To address this roughness, Aston Martin has installed an additional tender spring in the rear suspension of the V12, aiming to enhance ride comfort while maintaining stiffer main spring rates.
Regrettably, those interested in acquiring one must already have placed an order, as Aston Martin is producing only 333 units of the final V12 Vantage, all of which have been sold. For the rest of us, being content with the V8 Vantage seems like a reasonable compromise for eternity, in my opinion.
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