Ralph Bossino

Has it finally arrived? Have Aston Martin finally created a car that will put fear in the eyes of Ferrari, Lamborghini and Porsche?

Aston Martin have announced and produced a V12 Vantage set to be released for sale in May. They have combined their most agile model with its most powerful engine. You guess it, the V12 stands for a 12 cylinder monster under the bonnet. The engineers have managed to squeeze a 6.0L V12 engine from the DB9 into the smaller Vantage. The Vantage is normally powered by a 4.3L V8. The V12 now pumps out 510bhp and is able to hit 60mph from a standstill in 4.1 seconds, with a top speed in the vicinity of 190mph.

One who knows about Aston Martins will be wondering where the number of 510 from the V12 originally in the DB9 got it’s extra power. Well the extra 40bhp was achieved through the addition of a by-pass intake port that opens at 5500rpm, a revised induction system and re-profiled air inlet ports. Peak power is now delivered at 6500rpm and 420lb/tq at 5750rpm.

Power is put to the ground via a standard six-speed manual gearbox and a limited slip differential in a transaxle arrangement. This also helps in weight distribution, helping to achieve a near perfect 51:49 ratio. The engine is also mounted as low and as far back as possible, meaning that 85% of the weight of the car is contained within the wheelbase. This should sound familiar to all those S2000 enthusiasts. In essence this car is a mid-engined car (even though the engine is in front of the driver). The transmission also gets a larger intercooler then the one currently on the V8 Vantage. There are also two distinct powertrain modes accessed via a Sport button. The normal setting offers a more progressive throttle response (your daily driving), while the ‘Sport’ sharpens up the throttle response (for us enthusiasts daily driving).

The V12 engine does weigh 100kg more than the V8; however, Aston Martin took steps to remedy this. They have taken steps to reduce weight by using lighter wheels and brakes; optional sports seats and lightweight materials all over the car which has negated 50kg. The wheels used save 5kg while the brake discs reduce unsprung mass by 12.5kg (which does a lot more to help the car propel faster). The seats are also made of Carbon Kevlar and reduce weight by 18kg. The overall weight of the car comes in at 1680kg (we all know that the posh luxury interior has a lot to do with it).

The V12 Vantage has also been lowered by 15mm, while the spring rates have been stiffened by 45%. Anti-roll bars have also been stiffened by 15% at the front and an unrealistic 75% at the rear. The V8 Vantage was already quite agile, but now even more so with a lower centre of gravity and a reduction of body roll in the corners. 19-inch Pirelli P Zero Corsa tyres were specifically designed for the V12 Vantage and Aston Martin claims the car can achieve up to 1.3 lateral g.

Now we’ve gone though all the power and handling, it’s time to tackle the brakes. Breaking is taken care of by ventilated ceramic discs measuring 398mm at the front and 360mm at the rear (don’t ask me why they didn’t go with carbon to save more weight, price might have a bit to deal with it, read on and you’ll find out what I mean). These discs are clamped by 6 piston callipers up front and 4 piston callipers in the rear.

As for the body work … The designers have avoided purely cosmetic changes just for the sake of it. They have cleverly placed cooling air ducts in the front grille to cool the front brakes and to direct air directly to the radiator. With their knowledge gained from the N24 race programme, engineers have enhanced the car’s downforce without increasing drag. Bonnet vents and the lack of an undertray help to cool the engine (as it is a very tight fit). The rear houses a new diffuser to further help with cooling.

The V12 Vantage also gets a revised Dynamic Stability Control system (DSC). The DSC is automatically switched on; but never fear, you can turn it off. Depressing the button for two seconds selects a ‘track mode’, which raises the threshold at which the system will intervene; depressing the button for four seconds will disable it completely for those that have balls of steel.

The interior is much of the same we expect from Aston Martin. Dials beautifully places, top quality leather and so forth. The only difference between this Aston Martin and others is that it’s a bit more raw for the driver. The seats aren’t as cushionie as you’d expect, but they are the typical seats you’d expect from a supercar with a nice V12 under the bonnet. These seats will keep you planted around your 1.3 lateral g turns. The dials have been changed to make them easier to read and carbon fibre has strategically been placed. There is a gorgeous blend of racing and traditional luxury that Aston Martin is known for. The car still has climate control, satellite navigation, cruise control and parking sensors.

Now the most important thing, the price. The V8 Vantage comes in at approximately £88,000 (I took an average as there are some options), the DB9 comes in at roughly £120,000. So we all wonder where this V12 Vantage will fall into place. The price hasn’t been announced; but the rumours are it will be in the area of £140,000. It makes the V12 Vantage cheaper than the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti which comes in at at around £170,500 (30bhp more, stupid paddle shifter, same 0-60, and 5mpg less).

The choice is yours really. But my pick of ‘touring car’ would go to the V12 Vantage.