Spy Shots: Aston Martin V12 Vantage
Aston Martin shocked the industry when it took the wraps off of the baby-blue V12 Vantage RS concept back in December. The idea was revolutionary yet stunningly simple at the same time: take the lowest car in the line-up and turn it into the highest. Would Aston build it? We all hoped so, and our hopes were vindicated with spy shots of test mules running developmental laps around the race track.
From the latest batch, it appears that all those louvers on the hood will remain – a necessity for cooling the 600-hp V12 that is sitting where a 380-hp V8 usually resides – but the rear wing seems to have been reduced, with a big carbon-fiber diffuser taking over the balance (literally) of the downforce requirements. Eyewitness accounts indicate that the test mule is also wearing the carbon-ceramic disc brakes from the current top-of-the-line DBS, while insiders expect the imminently desirable supercar to bear an equally breathtaking pricetag at double that of the base V8 version. Worth it? We're betting yes.
[Source: NextAutos]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
iceblue 6:05PM (6/30/2008)
GO ASTON!
The V8 Vantage is beautiful so the V12 Vantage must be HOT.
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zamafir 6:28PM (6/30/2008)
it doesn't hurt that it drives better and is faster then anything else aston has now :)
ALEXDB9 6:01PM (6/30/2008)
This cant get to my dealer soon enough.
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Toy Yoda 6:10PM (6/30/2008)
Can't they do something about the vents on the hood? It makes the car look ugly. What about side gills or something?
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Smeagle 9:02PM (6/30/2008)
Any car that needs that much additional ventilation has got to be awesome. Where you see ugly, I see barely contained fury.
zamafir 9:50PM (6/30/2008)
smeagle is right, this thing's already producing insane amounts of heat due to the v12 being so far back towards the driver, WITH the vents.
Eddie 6:12PM (6/30/2008)
This will be a huge seller. Extremely good looking, plus tons of power.
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pmiddle5 11:20PM (6/30/2008)
worth whatevs price for the noise
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mk 12:08AM (7/01/2008)
good bloody grief.
Smallest chassis with biggest engine is not a new formula.
But when you apply that to Aston Martin... HOLY SMOKES.
A 600hp V12. A 2-seat 3-door sports car chassis. Best thing since the DB4 GT Zagato.
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wonkydonkydotnet 12:22AM (7/01/2008)
Awesome!
I've been yelling at Aston in emails for 4 years to put top power in something that's supposed to be a top car, and to start making goddamn 100hp/liter, with 0.1 hp/lb or higher!!
Way to go Aston! -FINALLY!!!!
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Magnificen7 5:11AM (7/01/2008)
Yeah, I'd drive that. If I had to. I guess.
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