Posted on Friday 9 May 2008
Aston Martin teased us with a V12-powered concept version of its Vantage coupe late last year, which officials claimed was built only as a styling and engineering exercise to promote the opening of a new dedicated design center, however in the months since the unveiling a number of Vantage prototypes have been spotted on German streets and on the Nurburgring. This latest spy video shows what appears to be a regular V8 Vantage, but the tell tale sign of a big rear-diffuser reveals the massive power underneath the prototype’s bonnet.
The original concept car had the 6.0L V12 from the stunning DBS shoehorned into its engine bay, which combined with the Vantage’s relatively small size and weight ensure the one-off ‘RS’ model was the quickest road-going Aston ever as testified by the car’s 0-60mph time of four seconds.
The production V12 Vantage is expected to feature a slightly down-tuned version of the 510hp engine in the DBS – likely to be around 450hp. The DBS and upcoming DBS Volante are to remain Aston’s flagship models until the arrival of the long-rumored ‘NPX’ supercar. Other features of the production V12 Vantage will likely include a vented bonnet, clear-lens taillights and carbon-ceramic brakes.
While production of the Rapide is taking place at Magna Steyr’s facility in Austria, for now it seems as though the V12 Vantage will be produced at Gaydon alongside the regular V8 model. The first cars should hit showrooms within the next year.
Aston Martin Vantage RS spy shots
Aston Martin Vantage RS Concept
Love those crystal tailights like the ones on the dbs and range rover supercharged completely clear until you press the breaks, love that look more companies should look into that styling.
If it really only has 450hp, that would be quite disappointing actually. I was rather hoping it will have 500+ to really tackle Porsche and Ferrari
No way it has 450… The base Vantage now has 420bhp…
The car will have a minimum of 500bhp and hopefully north of 550bhp in final trim.