Filed under: Spy Photos, Supercars, Aston Martin, UK
Vantage Point: Aston Martin Vantage V12 prototype spied
Automotive paparazzi have spotted the first piece of evidence verifying that Aston Martin is indeed going ahead with production, however limited, of the outrageous V12 Vantage RS. The concept was first shown when the newly-independent Aston cut the ribbon on its new facility in Gaydon, where the exclusive V12 Vantage RS is anticipated to be produced sometime next year.
The test mule seen in spy shots is wearing largely unmodified bodywork from its standard V8 Vantage counterpart, with a rear diffuser standing out as the only obvious modification. Although the show car's hood had more slats than the back of an A/C unit, the mule's hood has only the standard louvers from the V8 version, which makes us wonder how much of the ventilation was required and how much was for show. Although the concept featured a full-fat 600-hp V12 from the DBR9 racer, the production version is expected to be slightly de-tuned to 550, which will still make it the most powerful production Aston ever made, beating out the 520-hp Vanquish S and the current 510-hp DBS flagship, while being both smaller and lighter than those cars as well, we presume.
Gallery: Aston Martin V12 Vantage RS Concept
[Source: World Car Fans]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
zamafir 2:28PM (4/01/2008)
Wow. Just wow. I can hardly think of a more fitting car for Aston to build then this. Gorgeous, Modern, powerful. Bring it :).
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RG 2:37PM (4/01/2008)
As cool as this concept is, I just have the feeling that the car is going to be flawed in one way or another. Either the weight distribution will be all messed up, or it will only weigh 100 lbs less than a DBS, or the engine makes too much heat, turning the cabin into an oven, etc.
What I am trying to get at is that as cool as this concept sounds, I dont think they will be able to fix the problems to make the car as perfect as it should be.
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JW 2:59PM (4/01/2008)
Didn't I read somewhere on Autoblog that the 4.3 V8 in the Vantage is going to be enlarged to 4.6? This leads me to believe that whole A-M lineup will receive a power upgrade by the new overseers.
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mk 3:21PM (4/01/2008)
sex. on. wheels.
I absolutely love the fact that the Vantage leap-frogs the rest of the lineup, from the small least expensive, to the lightest and most powerful, eclipsing even the DBS.
I think some of the data that shows that the DBS is on par, but not demonstrably better than the Vanquish S it replaces, has prompted this Vantage RS. Big V12 in a little, compact, lighter chassis -> instant ceiling-breaker.
I think a well tuned V8 is sublime, and this V12 is probably completely manic in this car... either one sounds uniquely cool to me.
Ferrari doesn't even have this. This would be like putting the 599's V12 into a car of similar size and purpose to the F430, or Alfa were to build a 12C, based on the 8C The Enzo isn't quite the same thing, but perhaps parallels can be drawn.
V8 or V12, the car is sexy. Fixed electrochromic glass roof, with Ecurie Ecosse Blue, with titanium white/silver trim, midnight blue and dove grey-trimmed leather interior, and the clear tail lights, please.
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ian7654 4:05PM (4/01/2008)
finally an aston with LOTS of power. 550 HP in that little body should really move, although if it is 550 HP it won't be the most powerful Aston Martin ever, as the old V8 Le Mans package made 600 HP from it's twin supercharged V8. the RS will probably be faster though, given the weight advantage.
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sydbot 5:50PM (4/01/2008)
Seems about time for a modest engine update. I don't know too much about these engines, but from what i've read the torque curve is just that, a curve. What are the redlines on the V8 and the V12? And can a DI system work up to those redlines? The GM DI HFV6 makes pretty flat torque from 2k-7k; lets see some form of that in the best cars on the planet!
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DomManganelli 6:04PM (4/01/2008)
is that a radiator behind that diffuser? i've never seen that before
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mk 9:04PM (4/01/2008)
probably a rear-differential oil cooler. That kind of torque probably necessitates it, as well as limited slip.
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Mikey81 2:14PM (4/02/2008)
Fantastic car, but its still not the most powerful production aston ever. That honour falls to the 1997 Vantage v600, which put out 600bhp with 600lbs/ft of torque!
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