REPORT: Aston Martin V12 Vantage bound for U.S.?
Aston Martin V12 Vantage - Click above for high-res image gallery
For our money, there are few vehicles in the world more beautiful than the Aston Martin Vantage. And when we scribble out our lottery list, the limited edition 510 hp 6.0L V12 variant is always near the top. Unfortunately, Aston announced early on that none of the 1,000 DB9-powered Vantages would be imported into the U.S. Pity. But according to Car and Driver, our prayers may have been answered.
Aston CEO Dr. Ulrich Bez told the buff book that the V12 Vantage would be available in the US after all, and that the ultra exclusive GT specialists could keep the 12-pot variants coming past the 1,000 unit mark. That's great news for the people that can appreciate (and afford) the best cars money can buy. And if the V12 Vantage goes on sale in the States, that means there's a chance we'll get to drive one.
Gallery: Aston Martin V12 Vantage
[Source: Car and Driver]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Jared 2:08PM (9/22/2009)
I'd rather it didn't have all those fiddly intakes on the hood -- they distract from the clean, elegant lines.
But I'm not quite in the market for a new Aston (a new Tacoma would be closer to my budget), so I guess Dr. Bez doesn't have to care what I think...
Reply
BoxerFanatic 4:04PM (9/22/2009)
except that they aren't intakes.
They are heat extraction louvers that pull heat OUT of the very cramped, very hot engine bay. Otherwise that V12 would probably overheat itself.
I'll bet at the price they are asking, they wouldn't give much static to a request that they be painted body-color, though. :D
Pokey 4:39PM (9/22/2009)
At least thos extractors are actually functional.
MixiM 5:42PM (9/22/2009)
My thoughts exactly, really a shame that they couldn't engineer themselves out of the "air outtakes". Probably they could with a bigger radiator. Think it's a styling cue, as it was with the DBS that didn't have the cramped engine compartment.
Jared 6:13PM (9/22/2009)
I'll take your word for it that they are functional extractors. But they're still ugly, IMHO.
Mike7 2:10PM (9/22/2009)
"Unfortunately, Aston announced early on that none of the 1,000 DB9-powered Vantages would be imported into the U.S."
I apologize for my ignorance, but when did they say that. I thought the V12 Vantage coming to the U.S. was never a problem.
Reply
AC 2:24PM (9/22/2009)
Awhile back. If I recall correctly, I read that it was because the changes made to the car to accommodate the V12 up front were deemed to be out of compliance with US Crash test standards. If that is correct, what will change in the US Version?
garlinski 2:32PM (9/22/2009)
From what i remember reading, it was something about crash standards that caused it to not be imported. I think I read that in MotorTrend a few months ago... actaully this is what it said... "But despite devising a new crash structure, slimming down the sump and induction system, repositioning the radiator and several smaller measures, they didn't quite manage to get the final car through North American crash regulations."
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/coupes/112_0906_2009_aston_martin_v12_vantage_review/index.html
anywho... glad that they may have fixed that... too bad i'll never own one...
oprica007 2:25PM (9/22/2009)
aston martin is a 0007 car
Reply
auto.design 2:25PM (9/22/2009)
I thought the problem with sending it here was crash testing? Fears that in a front end crash that the V12 would crumple into the cabin. I could be wrong about that though
Reply
yacoub 2:27PM (9/22/2009)
Yeah the excessive hood venting is tacky, especially when it's so divorced from the actual hood and looks like plastic tack-on faux-inserts.
Reply
Venom 2:39PM (9/22/2009)
What is the point of this car?
There is already a DBS and a DB9 and as far as I am concerned those two are redundant.
They all pretty much look the same.
The Vantage was a great and manly looking Aston.
Aston just went to crap after they quit making it.
Reply
Jared 3:07PM (9/22/2009)
Beats me. I never could figure out the Aston model line.
Redline 3:17PM (9/22/2009)
Yeah, I was wondering the same thing? It's slots in just below the DB9 right? Then again, as long as it sells Aston probably doesn't need a reason.
BoxerFanatic 4:18PM (9/22/2009)
If you have to ask...
DB9 is a large 2+2 Grand Touring Coupe.
DBS is that same car with bodywork changes, lighter weight, and the rear seats deleted, and the engine, and suspension tuning up-rated. A big sport-package, if you will.
Vantage is a smaller, less expensive price-point car on the modular chassis family. It is not the same size as the DB9/S. It has a liftback hatch, and is designed for only 2 seats, with no length of the car given to rear seats, deleted or not. It is also powered by a V8 most of the time.
One-77 is a carbon-fiber chassis, completely hand-built ultimate project, also 2-seats only, and V12 powered, but FAR above Vantage.
Rapide is an extension of DB9, including a V12, stretched for not only 4-seats, but 4-doors. It also gains a Vantage-like rear liftback hatch.
Do you see know that those are distinct variations on a theme?
The V12 Vantage is a sidebar to the Vantage, that adds DBS-like sport hardware, AND shoe-horns that big V12 under the hood of the smallest, lightest, 2-seat car in Aston's lineup. It is not a regular model, it is a very limited production factory special.
The brand's BIGGEST engine in their SMALLEST car, for HUGE fun. Many people have used that formula before, usually to significant success.
Ferrari has Scuderia, or Challenge Stradale, BMW has ///M, Porsche has GT3 and GT2, and so-on and so-forth. Factory tuned performance, above and beyond the normal model line. DBS is a demand-based regular model, Vantage V12 is not, it is a limited special run, as is the uber-aston, the One-77.
Venom 4:42PM (9/22/2009)
BoxerFanatic,
Thank you, that was actually pretty informative.
There lineup sort of makes more sense now.
I still miss the Vantage.
That was a badass looking car.
It just looked mean.
Kevin 4:17PM (9/22/2009)
Stop whining and start playing the lottery already!
Reply
a.ron.campbell 4:32PM (9/22/2009)
Exactly - I just bought my ticket!
Pokey 4:40PM (9/22/2009)
I cannot wait for it to come here!
Of course, I cannot afford one, but I can damn sure get close enough to drool on one, and that is enough for me!
Reply
arrandcolour 5:04PM (9/22/2009)
answered prayers? i guess i'll have to hit the Coinstar soon. i'm sure my nickels, pennies and dimes must be adding up by now. i haven't needed them for food since early September. damn fool millionaires. i'm probably the only person in the US that WANTS a socialist country to level out the playing field. a country full of Trabants is fine with me.
Reply