Aston Martin has unveiled the newest iteration of its V12 Vantage for the 2023 model year. This serves as the swan song for the most powerful offering in the Vantage sports car series, and the luxury automaker is pulling out all the stops.
With the worldwide push towards electrification, the latest Vantage marks the last time a V12 will be fitted in the engine bay. Aston Martin is providing a fitting sendoff for this chapter of the model’s history, with a limited production run of 333 units worldwide.
The new Aston Martin V12 Vantage
“Every great sports car brand has a hero car. For Aston Martin in more recent years that car has been the V12 Vantage,” said Aston Martin Chief Executive Officer Tobias Moers. “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.”
Exterior
The new V12 Vantage stands 4,514mm long, 1,982mm wide, and 1,274mm high on a 2,705mm wheelbase. Its sculpted aluminum bodywork has been widened by 40mm to accommodate a wide track chassis while boasting extensive use of carbon fiber.
The grille has been enlarged to improve airflow towards the engine
Its fascia includes the familiar Aston Martin grille, now enlarged by 25 percent and flanked by LED headlamps, topped off by a clamshell hood featuring a distinctive horseshoe engine vent. The full-width front splitter accompanies the new front bumper design, serving to generate downforce that is sustained by the underbody.
A single-piece sill, which Aston Martin says is inspired by motorsport, bridges the front and rear fenders. The new rear fender also incorporates a diffuser, as well as twin exhaust tips mounted at the center.
That huge rear spoiler can be removed for a more subdued look
Topping off the V12 Vantage’s silhouette is a large rear wing that can generate up to 204 kilograms of downforce at top speed. Three sets of 21-inch alloy wheels are offered, clad in Michelin Pilot 4S high performance tires. An array of exterior color and finish options is available through the Q by Aston Martin customization service.
Interior
Having carried over the cabin layout of the current Vantage, the new V12 Vantage’s interior remains recognizable, adorned with Sports Plus Seats dressed in semi-aniline leather. Also available are new carbon fiber performance seats featuring an exposed twill carbon fiber shell, shaving a further 7.3 kilograms from the car’s weight.
The cabin layout has been carried over from the current Vantage
Exposed carbon fiber is present throughout the cabin, joined by a selection of materials for the seat inserts, trim inlays, and rotary dials on the center console. Customers can choose between woven leather or Alcantara, along with a range of tinted lacquers.
Tech & Safety
An 8-inch LCD touchscreen head unit serves as the core of the Aston Martin Audio System, featuring Bluetooth connectivity and integrated satellite navigation as well as iPod and iPhone integration. Occupants can stay comfortable whatever the weather outside, with the automatic dual-zone climate control system.
The car makes extensive use of carbon fiber
The new V12 Vantage comes equipped with a 360-degree camera array, blind-spot detection, and automatic parking. Front and rear parking sensors are standard, along with a tire pressure monitoring system. The exterior mirrors tilt downward when reverse gear is engaged, to aid in backing into or out of parking spaces.
Carbon Ceramic Brakes (CCB) aboard the V12 Vantage offer increased stopping power, engineered to resist brake fade at temperatures reaching 800 degrees Celsius.
Engine & Drivetrain
Powering the latest Aston Martin is a front mid-mounted 5.2-liter bi-turbo V12 that uses an all-alloy overhead cam, generating 690 horsepower and 753 Nm of torque. Dual variable camshaft timing and cylinder deactivation technology allow the engine to be fuel-efficient during low speeds or extended idling.
This is the last time that a V12 will be seen under the Vantage's hood
A rear mid-mounted 8-speed ZF automatic gearbox routes the power to the rear wheels via a carbon fiber driveshaft, using adaptive software to determine the right gearing in each driving situation. Included in the standard kit is a mechanical limited-slip differential (LSD) to help deliver traction.
The new V12 Vantage can sprint from zero to 100 kilometers per hour in 3.5 seconds, with a maximum speed of 322 kilometers per hour. A new adaptive damping suspension system increases spring rates by as much as 50 percent, complemented by new anti-roll bars and a body stiffness increased by 8 percent.
Pricing
No pricing information has been disclosed for the 2023 Aston Martin V12 Vanquish, but estimates place it at almost $200,000 (Php 10.4 million). All 333 examples have been spoken for, and the automaker will begin production in the first quarter of 2022, with deliveries scheduled for the second quarter.
We cover the last hurrah of iconic cars at Philkotse.com.