Aston Martin Vantage (2018) Explained

Aston Martin Vantage (AM6)
Manufacturer:Aston Martin
Production:2018–present
Assembly:United Kingdom: Gaydon, Warwickshire
Designer:Marek Reichman
Class:Sports car (S)
Layout:Front mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive
Engine:4.0 L Mercedes-AMG M177 twin-turbocharged V8
5.2 L Aston Martin AE31 twin-turbocharged V12
Wheelbase:27051NaN1
Length:44651NaN1
Width:19431NaN1
Height:12721NaN1
Weight:16300NaN0 (2018 Vantage)[1]
16900NaN0 (Roadster)[2]
17000NaN0 (2024 Vantage)
Sp:uk
Predecessor:Aston Martin Vantage (2005)
Doors:Swan

The Aston Martin Vantage is a two-seater sports car built by British manufacturer Aston Martin since 2018. It replaces the previous model which had been in production for 12 years.

Models

Vantage V8 Coupe (2018–2023)

The Vantage V8 Coupe was unveiled on 21 November 2017. Deliveries began in June 2018.[3] [4] The Vantage uses powertrain and infotainment technology from Mercedes-Benz, like the DB11. The Vantage uses Mercedes-AMG's M177,[5] 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine that has a power output of and of torque as is equipped with the Mercedes COMAND system.[6] [7] The Vantage V8 is capable of accelerating from NaNmph in 3.6 seconds, and attaining a top speed of 3140NaN0.[8] [9]

The Vantage uses a rear-mounted 8-speed automatic gearbox manufactured by ZF Friedrichshafen, and will be the only vehicle that pairs the Mercedes-AMG V8 with a manual transmission when the combination is made available.[10] [11] The engine is positioned as far back with the chassis as possible, and a 50/50 front/rear weight distribution has been achieved with the car.[12] The Vantage is also the first Aston Martin production car to feature an electronically controlled differential with torque vectoring, and is built around the same all-new bonded-aluminium platform as the DB11, although around 70% of its components are said to be unique to the Vantage.[13] The car has a dry weight of 15300NaN0.[14]

The design of the Vantage is inspired by the track-only Vulcan and the purpose made DB10 that appeared in the James Bond film Spectre. The front grille, specifically inspired by the Vulcan, helps in efficient engine cooling.[15] For purposes of weight saving, the Vantage forfeits the passenger glove compartment and maintains a simple centre console design.[16]

Vantage AMR

The Vantage AMR is a track-focused variant of the Vantage. The main highlight of the model is the replacement of the ZF 8-speed automatic transmission with a dog-leg Graziano Trasmissioni 7-speed manual transmission previously used on the V12 Vantage S. The AMR also comes with a driver-selectable AMSHIFT system which controls the throttle during gear shifting. A new limited-slip differential ensures linear delivery of power. The power-band of the engine is wider and the unit is designed to deliver of torque from 2,000 rpm to 5,000 rpm. The use of a manual transmission and carbon-ceramic brakes reduce the weight by . New adaptive dampers with the section of Sport, Sport + and Track modes improve handling. Performance figures include a 0 - acceleration time of 3.9 seconds, half a second less than the standard Vantage while the top speed remains the same as the standard model. Visual changes include 20-inch forged wheels as available on the Rapide AMR, new carbon fibre side vents and cooling vents present on the bonnet a sports exhaust system with quad tailpipes and racing bucket seats.

Production of the AMR will be limited to 200 units worldwide. Available exterior colours for the AMR include Sabiro Blue, Pnyx Black, China Grey and White Stone. The final 59 cars will be finished in a Sterling Green exterior colour with Lime accents and will pay homage to the 1959 24 Hours of LeMans victory of Aston Martin. Once the production of the AMR ceases, the 7-speed manual transmission will become available on the standard Vantage.[17] [18]

The vehicle went on sale in May 2019, with delivery set to begin in Q4 2019.[19]

Vantage Roadster

Revealed in February 2020, the Vantage Roadster is a convertible version of the V8 Coupe with a fabric roof. The roof claimed to be the fastest of any automotive automatic convertible system, takes 6.7 seconds to lower and 6.8 seconds to raise and can be operated at speeds of up to 500NaN0.[20] The Vantage Roadster has a dry weight of 16280NaN0.[21]

Delivery was set to begin in Q4 2019.[22]

Vantage 007 Edition

The 007 Edition is a version of the V8 Coupe commemorating the film No Time to Die. Inspired by the Aston Martin V8 Vantage from the 1987 James Bond film The Living Daylights, the Vantage 007 Edition comes equipped with a unique mesh grille and chrome bezel, as well as Cumberland Grey exterior paint over an obsidian black leather interior. Production is limited to 100 units.[23] [24]

Delivery began in Q1 2021.[25]

V12 Speedster

In March 2020, Aston Martin introduced the V12 Speedster, a production car inspired by the DBR1 of the late 1950s and the 2013 CC100 Speedster concept. Aston Martin will produce 88 units at a base price of $950,000. It uses a 5.2-litre twin turbo V12 based on the one from the DBS Superleggera but with less power and torque. The engine sends its power to a ZF 8-speed gearbox.[26] It can accelerate from in 3.5 seconds and has a top speed of 3000NaN0. It has 21-inch forged, centre-locking wheels, carbon ceramic brakes and adaptive dampers.[27] It uses a version of the Vantage roadster's bonded aluminium chassis, along with most of the front-end structure of the DBS Superleggera grafted on to accommodate the larger size of its V12. It has pods behind the seats that are sized to transport helmets and a removable leather bag where the glovebox would normally be.[28]

F1 Safety Car

Vantage became the official Safety Car of Formula One, alongside the Mercedes-AMG GT R Safety Car in early 2021. The Vantage Safety Car has a British Racing Green livery with neon yellow accents, and it has been modified to fit with Safety Car standards.[29] [30] [31] The car made its debut as the Safety Car at the 2021 Bahrain Grand Prix. A new Vantage F1 Safety Car based on the 2025 model year was unveiled in March 2024 replacing the previous Vantage F1 Safety Car beginning with the 2024 season.[32] [33]

Vantage F1 Edition

The F1 Edition is a version of the V8 Coupe and V8 Roadster commemorating Aston Martin's return to Formula One after 61 years. The car features a fixed rear wing at the back, increased engine power to 5350NaN0,[34] a top speed of 3140NaN0, new 21-inch wheel rims, and a acceleration time of 3.5 seconds.[35] [36] The car is available in three colours: Aston Martin Racing Green, Jet Black, and Lunar White.[37] A convertible version called the Roadster is also available.[38] [39]

Delivery began in May 2021.[40]

V12 Vantage

In December 2021, Aston Martin confirmed that a V12 Vantage was in development and was slated to be released in 2022.[41] [42] [43] The V12 Vantage was officially unveiled on 16 March 2022, and its production was limited to just 333 units.[44] [45] It uses Aston Martin's AE31 5.2-litre twin-turbocharged V12 and has a power output of and 555 lb-ft (753 Nm) of torque. Additionally, the V12 Vantage features revised suspension, a 40mm increase in track width, a new aerodynamic kit which generates up to of downforce, and has a acceleration time of 3.5 seconds.[46] [47] It has a kerb weight of 17950NaN0,[48] [49] and is the last Aston Martin Vantage to use a V12 engine.[50] [51]

Delivery began in Q2 2022.[52]

V12 Vantage Roadster

Aston Martin revealed at 2022 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elégance a convertible version of the V12 Vantage. It develops and only 249 examples will be produced, all sold out.[53] [54] It has a kerb weight of 18500NaN0.[55]

2024 facelift

For the 2025 model year, the Vantage was given a significant facelift.[56] [57] The new model features an all-new front fascia with updated side and rear styling, updated interior with new proprietary infotainment with 10.25-inch screen similar to the DB12, stiffened body structure, smarter active dynamics, and a larger radiator grille which increases airflow to the radiators by 50 percent.[58] [59]

The most noticeable change is a heavily reworked version of the 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine producing and of torque.[60] This is the largest increase in power output from a predecessor in Aston Martin history, with a power increase of 30% at and a torque increase of 15% at .[61] [62] The updated Vantage is capable of accelerating from NaNmph in 3.5 seconds, and attaining a top speed of 3250NaN0.

Motorsport

GTE

See main article: Aston Martin Vantage GTE (2018). The Aston Martin Vantage GTE (also known as the Aston Martin Vantage AMR) is an endurance Grand Tourer developed by Aston Martin Racing, the motorsports arm of the British automobile manufacturer Aston Martin. It is based on the 2018 Aston Martin Vantage, and is the successor of the Aston Martin Vantage GT2, and its later derivatives.[63] The car was launched on the 22nd of November 2017, alongside its road-going counterpart in London.[64] The car is noted to be capable of being converted from Group GTE specification to Group GT3 specification.[65]

The Vantage GTE is the GTE-class racing version of the Vantage made to compete in the FIA World Endurance Championship. Like the road-going car, the GTE uses the Mercedes-AMG V8 engine, though it is paired with a 6-speed Xtrac sequential gearbox. Additional changes are made to the engine to increase power.[66] The car is convertible to GT3 specification.[67]

DTM

See main article: Aston Martin Vantage DTM. The Aston Martin Vantage DTM is a "Class 1" touring car constructed by the British car manufacturer Aston Martin for use in the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters. The Vantage DTM was the first Aston Martin DTM car since its entry to the sport from the 2019 season with the joint-development by HWA. Aston Martin Vantage DTM made DTM début ahead of 2019 DTM season under Class 1 regulations.[68]

HWA AG, in partnership with Aston Martin and R-Motorsport, made an all-new car for the 2019 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters, based on the new Vantage. The Vantage competed in place of Mercedes-Benz's entry after the manufacturer left the competition to focus on Formula E.[69]

GT3

The Vantage GT3 is the successor of the V12 Vantage GT3. The engine has a power output of and of torque. It features a quick-shifting Xtrac 6-speed sequential gearbox, an Alcon motorsport multi-plate clutch, Öhlins four-way adjustable dampers, Alcon brakes, and a Bosch anti-lock braking system. The Vantage GT3 has a dry weight of .[70] An all-new Vantage GT3 based on the 2025 model year Vantage was unveiled on 12 February 2024.[71] [72]

GT8R

The Vantage GT8R was announced in 2020 as a new model between the existing GT3 and GT4 models, to compete in the SP8T class. It was debuted at the 2020 24 Hours of Nürburgring.[73]

The GT8R has a larger rear wing and new dive planes and splitter compared to the GT4, and power and weight adjusted for SP8T regulations. The engine has a power output of and a kerb weight of . It is designed primarily for the Nürburgring Endurance Series and 24 Hours Nürburgring, but is also eligible for the GT Cup, Super Taikyu Series, New Zealand Endurance Championship, and the Trans-Am Series.[74]

GT4

The Vantage GT4 is the replacement of the previous generation GT4, and is intended for entry-level drivers in competitive motorsports.[70] The Vantage GT4 made its debut in the 2019 24 Hours of Nürburgring.[75] The car would be replaced by a new Vantage GT4 based on the 2025 model year in 2024.[76] The new Vantage GT4 uses the same 4.0-litre Mercedes-AMG M177 V8 engine producing and of torque, although both outputs can be raised via boost controller depending on Balance-of-Performance regulations. It has a dry weight of 14650NaN0.[77]

External links

Notes and References

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  5. News: 2019 Aston Martin Vantage Drifting Teaser Is Slow-Motion Goodness. Panait. Mircea. 2017-11-16. autoevolution. 2017-11-24. en-us.
  6. News: Aston Martin shows off a new Vantage. 2017-11-21. The Verge. 2017-11-21.
  7. News: Aston Martin just replaced the most successful model in company history with a car straight out of a Bond movie. 2017-11-21. Business Insider. 2017-11-21. en.
  8. Web site: New 2018 Aston Martin Vantage makes Geneva debut. Jonathan. Burn. Auto Express. 21 March 2018. 3 May 2018.
  9. Web site: New Aston Martin Vantage revealed - full details and specs on Aston's V8 sports car. Stuart. Gallagher. EVO. 24 November 2017. 18 March 2018.
  10. News: Aston Martin Plans Seven-Model Range, Starting with Vantage Then Vanquish. 2016-03-28. Car and Driver. 2017-11-21. en-US. 19 December 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171219145244/https://blog.caranddriver.com/aston-martin-plans-seven-model-range-starting-with-vantage-then-vanquish/. dead.
  11. News: Aston Martin reveals its all-new Vantage, a 503hp V8 sports car. 2017-11-21. Ars Technica. 2017-11-21. en-us.
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  73. Web site: NEW ASTON MARTIN VANTAGE GT8R TO MAKE NÜRBURGRING 24 HOUR DEBUT . 2023-08-23 . media.astonmartin.com . en-EN.
  74. Web site: 2020-09-24 . New Aston Martin Vantage GT8R racer slots between GT3 and GT4 . 2023-08-23 . Motor Authority . en.
  75. Web site: ASTON MARTIN ALL SET FOR VANTAGE GT4 DEBUT IN NÜRBURGRING 24H. Aston Martin. 2020-09-19.
  76. Web site: Smith . Fred . 2024-02-27 . Aston Martin's Latest Vantage GT4 Fighter Is Here . 2024-02-27 . Road & Track . en-US.
  77. Web site: Ashraf . Yousuf . 2024-02-27 . Aston Martin Vantage GT4 revealed – less weight, slick tyres and more aero . 2024-02-27 . EVO . en-US.