Aston Martin looks to be readying a V12-powered, track-ready version of its Aston Martin Vantage coupé to rival the Porsche 911 Turbo S from 2023.
The shock news comes courtesy of new images captured by Autocar's spy photographer at the Nurbürgring, showing an obviously uprated Vantage prototype with markedly different styling and hints at a significant performance boost.
Most obvious among the changes are the substantial front grille, added air intakes, a hefty twin exhaust and a prominent bulge in the bonnet – all of which suggest this mule uses a larger engine than the V8 of the current Vantage.
Our photographer said the engine in question is a V12 - a unit not currently used by the series-production Vantage but employed in the closely related V12 Speedster revealed last year. Aston Martin could therefore revive the Vantage V12 RS nameplate last seen on the previous-generation Vantage in 2008.
That twin-turbocharged 5.2-litre engine pumps out 690bhp and 555 lb ft in the topless car, giving a 0-62mph time of 3.5sec and a top speed of 186mph. Expect any series-production Vantage using the same unit to offer broadly comparable performance.
The Vantage is due a substantial facelift next year, and the design changes seen here suggest the V12 option could be introduced as part of that update, in line with CEO Tobias Moers' plan to introduce 10 new derivatives of existing models within the next two years.
Moers has previously spoken of the challenges involved in making Aston's V12 compliant with impending Euro 7 emissions regulations but hinted that "aficionados for a V12" around the world might make such an endeavour worthwhile. In any case, a V12-powered Vantage is likely to have a limited production run or lifecycle to minimise its impact on Aston's fleet-average emissions figures.
Other changes for the Vantage, aimed at sustaining its appeal until it is replaced by an all-electric sports coupé sometime around 2025, will include a new infotainment system and various chassis upgrades.
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@TStag,
As Speedraser says, it's the engine that's the problem. The 911 doesn't use a VW engine. All cars share parts with others, it's simply a good idea to do that, but when you're selling a premium product that's also supposed to be a thoroughbread then you need one which is just that at its heart.
You wouldn't expect Ferrrari to run a Fiat engine, and Stroll wants Aston to be a "British Ferrari". Well, you can't do that when you're using crate engines.
The infotainment system isn't such a big deal for me, although it would be far better if it was up to date. Worse is the use of that single stalk for indicators, washer etc. That's something I really don't like in Mercedes. I just hope they don't have that extra pedal some Mercs have too...
Finally a new Vantage that is actually an Aston Martin -- it has an Aston Martin engine.
TStag, the problem isn't an Aston using a Benz infotainment system -- infotainment is not what makes an Aston an Aston, or makes a Ferrari a Ferrari. The problem is an "Aston" using a Benz engine. That's appalling.
The prospect of these cars being replaced by a fully electric successor is grotesque. Not even a hybrid? Reichmann's designs have hurt Aston imo, but Moers is the real nail in its coffin. Moers said he saw no reason for Aston to complete it's nearly-ready new V6 when he can simply use a Benz engine instead. Then he said Aston's new V6 "didn't exist" in a dishonest and pathetic attempt to justify dumping a bespoke new Aston engine that was already running. He's a liar -- we've seen and heard that engine run. He has ZERO appraciation of what makes an Aston an Aston, zero appreciation of why Astons are special, zero appreciation of why Aston cannot become a version of a Mercedes. Shameful.