Aston Martin is known for making cars with power, beauty and soul. In 2005, Aston Martin started production of the Vantage. The Vantage is a beautiful car, but it weighs over 3,400 lbs. The 4.3L and 4.7L V8 engines were lacking in power. In 2009, Aston Martin decided to put the 6.0L V12 engine found in the DBS and put it in the Vantage. The result is a faster version of Vantage, called the Aston Martin V12 Vantage.
I recently saw the V12 Vantage and the 2011 edition of Houston Cars and Coffee. I thought it was just another Vantage until I saw what was under the hood. The V12 engine barely fits in the engine compartment, even after the space-saving modifications done to the engine compartment. The V12 Vantage gets new rear diffuser, an adjustable rear-spoiler, carbon-ceramic breaks, carbon fiber trunk lid, and and vented carbon fiber hood. These changes improve the styling of a beautiful car. I just love the styling of all current Aston Martins.
The V12 Vantage is powered by a 6.0L V12 engine, paired with a six-speed manual transmission, that produces 510 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque. The V12 Vantage goes from 0 to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds and reaches a top speed of 190 mph. Prices for the V12 Vantage start at $176,995 dollars, plus a destination charge of $1,615 and a $3000 gas guzzler tax. This car is beautiful, fast, and a little bit expensive. But few cars can match the styling of an Aston Martin. It is definitely $60,000 better than the standard Vantage.
The V12 Vantage has been reviewed by Jeremy Clarkson during Top Gear Series 13, Episode 7. Rutledge Wood reviewed the car during Top Gear US Season 1, Episode 2. The V12 Vantage has also made a stop at Jay Leno's garage. The V12 Vantage has also been featured on Top Gear Australia, Top Gear Apocalypse, Clarkson: Duel, and Cars.TV. The V12 Vantage is playable in Test Drive Unlimited 2, Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit, Need For Speed: World, Need For Speed: The Run, Forza Motorsport 3, Forza Motorsport 4, and Driver: San Francisco.
Final Thoughts: This is a much improved Vantage. It is more powerful and better looking than the V8 Vantage. It is still not as beautiful as the DBS or DB9. The V8 Vantage has beauty and soul, but lacks power. The V12 Vantage as beauty, soul and power. The V8 Vantage was overpriced at $120,000, but the V12 Vantage is worthy of the near $180,000 price tag.
CarJunkie
Photo taken from a digital camera.
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