Hot new Aston Martin V12 Vantage revealed

The first official details of the Aston Martin V12 Vantage have been released with the car billed as the company’s most potent production model ever.

Using the underpinnings of the standard model, the new Vantage gets an adjusted version of the 6-litre V12 engine used across the Aston Martin range – developing 510bhp and 420lb/ft of pulling power.

This makes the Aston Martin V12 Vantage more powerful than the Ferrari F430, Nissan GT-R and on a par with the new Jaguar XKR.

With this grunt the V12 Vantage will accelerate from 0-62mph in 4.2 seconds and hit a top speed of 190mph – making it the quickest accelerating Aston ever.

This is, at least, until the launch of the £1 million-plus One-77 hypercar which boasts 700bhp and should go on sale at the beginning of next year.

Make no mistake, this isn’t just a more powerful version of the V8 Vantage – it’s a far more hardcore version of the baby Aston.

Power is channelled to the Vantage’s 19-inch rear alloy wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox while stopping power comes from ceramic disc brakes which measure an enormous 398mm at the front.

The ride height has been lowered 15mm and the suspension springs have been stiffened by 45 per cent with the car boasting almost perfect 51:49 weight distribution.

The V12’s body gets a more aggressive look over the standard V8 with a revised front splitter to improve cooling, bonnet louvres to remove heat from the engine bay and side sills to channel air towards the rear of the car – all creating an imposing image.

All these changes have helped to improve downforce without increasing the car’s drag co-efficient.

On top of this blistering performance is impressive practicality with the Aston getting a 300-litre boot – slightly less than an everyday hatchback.

Last year Aston Martin unveiled its Vantage RS concept car which used a 6-litre V12 engine with 600bhp – capable of 0-62mph in 4 seconds and 0-100mph in just 8.5 seconds.

The V12 Vantage would have been inspired by the RS concept but it was probably a sensible move by the Gaydon-based company to cut back on the power and performance during the economic slump.

But it’s still a brave time for Aston Martin to announce details of a range-topping sports car which is likely to cost around £140,000 – especially after sales for the British car maker slumped 32 per cent year-on-year in December.

The Aston Martin V12 Vantage will make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show.

Watch a review of the entry level Aston Martin V8 Vantage: