Aston Martin has introduced the latest iteration of its V12 Vantage Roadster for the 2023 model year, with the convertible version of the 2-door sports car packing a 690-horsepower twin-turbo V12 power unit under the hood for the first time.
That's one power-packed convertible
“We have worked extremely hard to ensure the V12 Vantage Roadster possesses the same potency and dynamism that characterizes the V12 Vantage Coupe, while surpassing it in terms of raw sensory excitement that you only achieve with roof down driving,” said Aston Martin Chief Technical Officer Roberto Fedeli.
Production for the V12 Vantage Roadster is limited to 249 examples worldwide, each one already spoken for prior to the car’s world premiere. The model comes on the heels of the hardtop version released earlier this year, which also saw a limited production run of 333 units as a farewell to the era of pure combustion Aston Martins.
Exterior
The flagship model of the Vantage range carries over the aesthetics of the standard V12 Vantage, featuring the same widebody design. This is headlined by the recognizable Aston Martin grille surrounded by LED headlamps, accompanied by the sculpted carbon fiber clamshell hood up top and the full-width front splitter at the bottom.
The standard V12 Vantage preceded the soft-top by five months
Just behind the front fender intakes are the one-piece sills also made of carbon fiber, helping divert airflow towards the V12 Vantage Roadster’s bulging haunches. The rear bumper carries an integrated diffuser and twin exhaust tips. Just as on the hardtop Vantage, the rear wing is offered as an option on the Vantage Roadster.
A set of 21-inch alloy wheels inhabits the V12 Vantage Roadster’s four corners, available in a lightweight forged wheel option as well as satin black and satin black diamond turned finishes. These are wrapped in 21-inch Michelin Pilot 4S high performance tires.
Interior
Both driver and passenger take their places in the cabin on Sports Plus Seats rendered in full semi-aniline leather, featuring the Aston Martin ‘Wings’ as standard on the headrest. Further weight savings can be achieved through the optional performance seat with exposed carbon fiber shell and manual 6-way adjustment.
Performance seats with exposed carbon fiber shell are optional
The hand-laid carbon fiber panel trim on the interior can even be treated to a selection of tinted lacquers, courtesy of Aston Martin’s Q personalization service that also offers exterior graphics and woven leather upholstery.
Tech & Safety
As the convertible version of the standard V12 Vantage, the Vantage Roadster is presumed to carry over the former’s tech amenities. These include automatic dual-zone climate control the Aston Martin Audio System’s 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth capability, and integration with iPod and iPhone as well as satellite navigation.
The push button gear selector is still there
The presence of a 360-degree camera array is also likely, accompanied by front and rear parking sensors, blind-spot detection, automatic parking, and a tire pressure monitoring system.
Engine & Drivetrain
Hidden under the clamshell hood is a 5.2-liter twin-turbo V12 that makes its first appearance on a Vantage Roadster, delivering 690 horsepower and 753 Nm of torque. Handling shifting duties is a ZF 8-speed automatic gearbox, working in tandem with the mechanical rear limited-slip differential.
Carbon fiber sills enhance airflow and reduce weight
Accelerating from zero to 100 kilometers per hour takes just 3.5 seconds, with a top speed of 322 kilometers per hour. While it features the same suspension setup as the V12 Vantage, the Vantage Roadster uses bespoke tuning for its adaptive dampers. Heat-resistant Carbon Ceramic Brakes (CCB) provide stopping power while saving 23 kilograms of weight.
Price
The 2023 Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster is estimated to start at $300,000 (over Php 16.7 million). Don’t worry if it sounds quite steep, as there are no more units available to the public anyway.
Like its hardtop version, all units of the V12 Vantage Roadster have been bought
Production of the model will begin on the third quarter of 2022, with paying customers receiving their orders by the fourth quarter.
See more of the latest iterations of legendary automobiles at Philkotse.com.