2009 Aston Martin V12 Vantage

2009 Aston Martin V12 Vantage

2009 Aston Martin V12 Vantage

2009 Aston Martin V12 Vantage

2009 Aston Martin V12 Vantage Aston Martin will present the most potent production sports car in the marque’s 95-year history at the Geneva motor show on March 3, 2009. Based on the hugely successful V8 Vantage, the V12 Vantage will feature a 6.0-litre V12 engine producing 510 bhp (380 kW / 517 PS), and 570 Nm (420 lb ft) of torque with a top speed of 190 mph (305 km/h) and 0-62 mph (0-100 kp/h) time of 4.2 seconds.

2009 Aston Martin V12 Vantage

2009 Aston Martin V12 Vantage The original V12 Vantage concept was unveiled to guests at the opening of the Aston Martin Design Studio in December 2007. Continuing the marque’s impressive record of bringing concepts through to production, Aston Martin engineers have brought the V12 Vantage to market in an incredible 12 months.

2009 Aston Martin V12 Vantage

2009 Aston Martin V12 Vantage The V12 Vantage will be built at Aston Martin’s global headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire joining the DBS, DB9 and V8 Vantage model lines which are built in the state-of-the-art production facility combining hi-tech manufacturing processes with traditional hand-craftsmanship. Production will be limited up to 1,000 examples over the life span of the car, making the V12 Vantage a truly exclusive driver’s car. Deliveries of the V12 Vantage are expected to commence during quarter three 2009 with prices to be confirmed at the Geneva motor show. (source: Aston Martin)

While a select group of the world’s rich and famous are looking forward to delivery of their custom Aston Martin One-77, race teams can now look forward to purchasing the new Aston Martin Vantage GT4 racecar, based on the new 4.7 liter V8 Vantage. This model succeeds the previous 4.3L Vantage N24 car.

The new Aston Martin Vantage GT4 is built to FIA GT4 specs and can compete in the following races: the FIA GT4 European Cup; British GT4 Championship; Britcar Endurance Series; German GT4 Championship; Dutch Supercar Challenge; Dutch GT4 Championship; VLN Endurance Championship at the Nurburgring; Australian Endurance Championship; the American SCCA Championship; and the Aston Martin Owners Club Race Series.



Other than the obviously larger engine, the car also gets larger front brake discs with revised cooling design and modified front uprights to give increased camber. The larger 4.7 liter V8 engine has had its ECU tuned for race use, and gets a free-flow exhaust system to let the V8 breathe and exhale without restriction. As the standard engine already has a dry-sump lubrication system to prevent oil surge during sideways motions, that is retained. Either a 6-speed manual or a Sportshift transmission can be specified.

At 1,330kg, the GT4 car is about 300 kilos lighter than the standard car, thanks to a range of weight reduction procedures which include stripping the interior bare of trim except for the fascia mounting which is rewrapped with Alcantara. The door and console casings have been replaced with new lightweight mouldings. Further race preparation include a high-strength steel rollcage, a Sabelt 6-point safety harness with a push-button release, a Lifeline Zero 360 gas fire extinguisher, and Recaro competition seats.

Also, all active safety systems are carried over from the road car - dynamic stability control, traction control, ABS and electronic brakeforce distribution, so that should help to keep the car out of trouble though like the road car, you can switch some of them off.

Austin Martin DBS

Austin Martin DBS

Austin Martin DBS

Austin Martin DBS

Once more here's an example on how truly amazing the designers are at Aston Martin. The look obviously takes after the DB9, but with sportier lines that underline the sport pedigree of our supercar. Perfect? Well almost, and many will argue Aston Martin’s choice when it comes to the tail lights. As far as we are concerned, white was an interesting choice.

Austin Martin DBS

If you ever sat in a DB9, the DBS will be not feel different to you with the exception of some materials like these beautiful fiber carbon parts that you find time to time. Still, we had a hard time with the black lacquered dashboard, indeed elegant, but with a tendency to reflect sunlight too often and blinding the driver. Another minus was the use of this fancy car’s key that must be plugged into the into the dashboard to start our beast's monstrous V12 engine. If aesthetically the key is a pure wonder, it tended too often to self eject itself and damaged our press car's gear leaver.

Austin Martin DBS

Less effective than the Vanquish, and mean in sensations, the DBS lacks of character. Nonetheless, the DBS offers stunning sensations, underline with a great feeling of safety thanks to its ceramic brakes. More technically advanced than the DB9, the DBS is also more efficient on the road. We also recommend any future DBS owners to not even bother turning on the in-car HiFi system. Thanks to its V12 and a tuned exhaust line, the DBS has one of the most amazing engine noise we have ever experienced... It's truly a pleasure hearing the V12 revving up.

The latest James Bond movie, Casino Royale, is set to open this week with Daniel Craig portraying the suave British spy for the first time. Of course what would a Bond movie be without a bevy of Bond girls? For Casino Royale, sexy French actress Eva Green is Vesper Lynd and sultry Italian Caterina Murino is Solange. But one other “co-star” is just as sexy and head-turning – the 2008 Aston Martin DBS. With stunts such as doing seven consecutive cannon rolls, the Aston Martin DBS is set to wow audiences in the film.

The Aston Martin DBS is only the latest car to be the Bond-mobile.Ever since the very first 007 movie (Dr. No, 1962, starring Sean Connery), the cars are as memorable as the Bond girls - from the Sunbeam Alpine in Dr. No to the stunning Aston Martin V12 Vanquish in Die Another Day that features invisibility cloaking device and an artillery of guns and missile launchers popping out from nowhere. ForbesAutos.com recently released a list of the top ten Bond-mobiles. It’s a veritable wish list of some of the best sports cars ever.