V12 Vantage RS: Aston names color, considers production
Click to view in our hi-res image gallery
Reactions to the Aston Martin V12 Vantage RS concept were all but universally the same across the motoring press: awesome car, strange color choice. Dark silver or British racing green would have seemed a more logical choice for such an aggressively styled and powered supercar, but then, we wouldn't be talking about its silver or green paintjob two months later, now would we?
The baby blue hue used on the V12 Vantage RS made a lot more sense when, a month later, Aston revealed it was reviving the classic Gulf racing livery for its Le Mans-challenging DBR9s, the same racing machine that donated its engine to the Vantage concept. But while it might have made sense to call the concept's color Gulf Blue, Aston instead opened up a contest to "name that hue". The results have since come in: "Mako Blue" was the name chosen, submitted by Mat Watson. Mako is not only the name of the fastest, most agile of sharks, but also the Maori name for "blue lightning".
Meanwhile Aston has also confirmed that if it finds enough potential customers, it could put the V12 Vantage RS into limited production. But while Mako Blue would likely be on the menu, most would probably go with silver or green. Follow the jump for the press release, and scope out the "Mako Blue" Aston Martin V12 Vantage RS in our gallery below.
Gallery: Aston Martin V12 Vantage RS Concept
[Source: Aston Martin]
PRESS RELEASE
Mako Blue Chosen for V12 Vantage RS Concept
Mako Blue Chosen for V12 Vantage RS ConceptGaydon, 13.02.08. The newly housed Aston Martin Design team has selected a name for the colour of the company's V12 Vantage RS concept car, after inviting suggestions from the public at the opening of the company's new Design Studio last year.
The V12 Vantage RS was unveiled in December by Chief Executive Officer, Dr Ulrich Bez, who, during his speech, invited suggestions to name the colour of the concept. The Aston Martin design team was inundated with suggestions, and after careful consideration has selected 'Mako Blue' as the name of the concept colour.
Design Director, Marek Reichman said: "The name is taken from the Mako shark, which is the fastest and most agile shark known to man. We thought the name not only reflected the colour, but also that the nature of the shark was synonymous with the character of the car.
"The Maori translation for 'Mako' is 'Blue Lightning' which obviously is descriptive of both colour and car - a very befitting name."
Mat Watson, who penned the winning name added: "The name came to me instantly, when I first saw the car. There is a distinct parallel between the shark and the car – both being the fastest of their kind."
The environmentally sustainable Design Studio is the marque's first purpose-built and fully-owned design facility. The Vantage RS concept features a 600bhp 6.0 V12 engine and has been subjected to a weight-loss programme. The result is the fastest ever road-going Aston Martin.
Aston Martin is currently evaluating feedback from customers to the Vantage RS concept, with a view to a possible low-volume production run should sufficient demand exist.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Mobius_1 10:05AM (2/26/2008)
That color looks a bit unfinished, almost bare-metal like.
Maybe put some shine on it, and then it can rival those other classic colors.
Or should I have said "colours"
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Mike 11:20AM (2/26/2008)
naaa i like the side view of it, particularly picture #3....
it almost looks like one of those translucent paint jobs, with silver as the base and a light blue ontop....
i love the paint. immensely.
meshies 10:13AM (2/26/2008)
I disagree. This is the most perfect Aston I have ever laid eyes on.
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Menice 10:21AM (2/26/2008)
love the car.
love the color.
hood seems excessive/odd with all the vents..... like that really matters. this is a beautiful machine.
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G.G 12:18PM (2/26/2008)
It's due to the V12 engine. Remember it's the same size of car they ususally stick a V8 in.
Not a fan of the colour - but hey that's me.
Would like to trade up from my V8, but all depends on $$$$ and availability!!
Mauterer 12:48AM (3/18/2008)
I like the color. It reminds me of the light grey that was on the first Audi TT's.
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DCragtop 12:19PM (2/26/2008)
I still think it should have been called 'Viagra Blue'...for obvious reasons!!
I don't care what colour the car is, it evokes sexy like no other car in the world.
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JS 12:27PM (2/26/2008)
I will concur with DCragtop. This is the sexiest car I have ever seen in my life. If I win the lottery, my first task is to take a jet to England and give Aston a blank check for one. Beautiful machine and I even like the paint..might take a matte black instead though.
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ALEXDB9 12:30PM (2/26/2008)
This is going to be a beast.
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mk 12:36PM (2/26/2008)
WOW.
[homer]ahhhhhhhhhhhh........ [drool][/homer]
That is a cool color, no doubt. I still want mine in ecurie ecosse blue with titanium white and bright silver details, and Prodrive suspension and wheels.
But the bodywork is FAN-FREAKIN'-TASTIC! Front end, rear end, flush retract spoiler, the WHOLE PACKAGE.
And a V12. Damn. Just damn.
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andre lavoie 1:10PM (2/26/2008)
i agree that this car is totally awsome. however, i do have some mixed feelings about it. its hard to explain. its like this. I loved the V8 vantage becuase of its great looks, it awsome sounding v8, its unique character when compared with other aston martins. Giving it a V12 in a way takes away from that "character", if you see what i mean. Makes it too similar to the other astons, which all use the same powerplant (not necessarily a bad thing). I would have perfered a v8 that makes 600 hp vs a V12 with the same output.
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Justin 5:46PM (2/26/2008)
Actually I agree about the v8 part. Otherwise a near perfect car.
Fatman 4:35PM (2/26/2008)
I'd redesign the hood louvers, but otherwise, pure love.
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Lance 6:29PM (2/26/2008)
Aahh!! Those louvers. Rumor has it that Reichmann (the new designer at Aston) has the nickname "50pence". I assume in reference to our own "50cent" because of what he is doing to the beautiful lines of all the existing Fisker designed cars. You cannot just put on a body kit and cut some holes in the hood and call yourself a designer.
I'm obviously not a fan of either the color or louvers.