The Aston Martin Vantage is name that has been synonymous with performance and taking it to the next level. Aston Martin Racing have always based their cars on the Vantage and with good reason. As at home as they are gulping up the miles on trip through the mountain roads they are even more so exiting Druids Corner at Brands Hatch or flat out through Eau Rouge at Spa, the Vantage is a drivers car and make no mistake one that is designed to reward.
First appearing as a dedicated model in 2005, the first generation of the V8 powered Vantage delivered 380hp and 302 lb-ft of torque from the 4.3 litre engine, in 2008 this was improved in 2008 with the first engine upgrade that now delivered 420hp and also introduced the automatic 6 speed Sportshift gearbox to the range for the first time.
2011 and 2012 saw the Vantage S and Vantage S roadster launched both coming with the new 7 speed Sportshift gearbox as standard, and the 4.3 litre V8 now pushing 430hp and 361lb-ft of torque resulting in a 0-60 of 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 189mph. The drive and handling of car was was improved through the stiffer suspension set up and redesigned steering rack, this combined with the sportshift ii gearbox and other weight saving measures resulted in a more dynamic and quicker handling car.
The V12 Vantage was released in 2009 and was initially planned to be limited to just 1000 units however demand in the US saw this extended beyond that. The V12 engine taken from the DBS produced 510hp and 240lb-ft of Torque resulting in a 0-60 of 4.2 seconds and a top speed of 190mph, the V12 Vantage in addition to the engine also received additional spec such as a new rear diffuser, retractable rear wing and carbon ceramic brakes. Both the boot lid and the bonnet were made form Carbon fibre to further reduce weight and increase performance the V12 was a critical success with the motoring journalists with Jeremy Clarkson calling it “Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful”.
In 2013 the V12 Vantage Roadster was released and was limited to just 101 units, the Roadster was equipped with a larger rear spoiler and enhanced ventilation in the bonnet, due to the additional stiffening required to support a convertible it was slightly heavier than the coupe and had a slightly reduced 0-60 of 4.5 seconds but still saw a top speed of 190mph.
An F1 edition has been available in both the coupe and the Roadster since 2021 as part of the collaboration Between Aston Martin and F1 with Aston now supplying the Vantage as a safety car, his edition comes with a Fixed Rear wing at the rear, increased engine power to 528hp and new 21 inch wheels.
The current edition of the Vantage released in 2024 has seen the models most focussed edition yet.
The Aston Martin Vantage is name that has been synonymous with performance and taking it to the next level. Aston Martin Racing have always based their cars on the Vantage and with good reason. As at home as they are gulping up the miles on trip through the mountain roads they are even more so exiting Druids Corner at Brands Hatch or flat out through Eau Rouge at Spa, the Vantage is a drivers car and make no mistake one that is designed to reward.
First appearing as a dedicated model in 2005, the first generation of the V8 powered Vantage delivered 380hp and 302 lb-ft of torque from the 4.3 litre engine, in 2008 this was improved in 2008 with the first engine upgrade that now delivered 420hp and also introduced the automatic 6 speed Sportshift gearbox to the range for the first time.