Aston Martin V12 Vantage

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Year	2009
Engine	6.0 litre V12
Transmission	6 speed manual RWD
Max speed	190 mph
0-60 mph	4.1 seconds
Horsepower	510 hp @ 6,500 rpm
weight	1680 kgs / 3704 lbs

The Aston Martin V12 Vantage is the production version of the V12 Vantage RS concept from 2007.

Based on the V8 Vantage, the V12 Vantage, as expected, comes fitted with a 6.0 litre V12 engine which develops 510 hp @ 6,500 rpm, and 420 lb-ft (570 Nm) of torque @ 5,750 rpm. This is connected to a mid-rear mounted six-speed manual gearbox driving the rear wheels through a limited slip differential. With this drivetrain the V12 Vantage sprints to 60 mph in just 4.1 seconds on its way to a 190 mph top speed.

The engine of the V12 Vantage was designed at Aston Martin's headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire, and is hand-built at the company's dedicated engine facility in Cologne, Germany. To achieve the power output, the engine features a number of enhancements over the standard 6.0-litre V12 found in the DB9. These include a 'by-pass' engine air intake port that opens up at 5500 rpm, a revised induction system and re-profiled air inlet ports that further improve airflow into the combustion chamber to improve performance.

The default 'normal' provides a more progressive, throttle response, suited to more everyday situations, such as driving in urban areas, heavy traffic, or in challenging weather conditions. Selecting 'Sport' mode delivers a sharper throttle response together with a sportier exhaust note.

Although the V12 engine weighs 100 kg (220 lbs) more than the standard V8 Vantage's engine, use of lightweight materials and components including carbon ceramic brakes, lighter forged aluminium wheels, lightweight inner rear quarter panels and optional lightweight sports seats have resulted in the overall kerb weight being only 50 kg (110 lbs) heavier than the V8 model.

The V12 Vantage's carbon-ceramic brake discs are 398 mm in diameter at the front and 360 mm at the rear while the brake calipers feature six pistons at the front, four at the rear and have a larger brake pad area compared to the V8 Vantage. The CCM brakes are some 12.5 kg lighter than conventional brakes reducing not only the overall weight of the car but also the unsprung mass specifically. This benefits ride and handling and lower rotational mass helps improve acceleration.

Visual changes made to the V12 Vantage have been carefully made to ensure each modified panel on the V12 Vantage has been altered to enhance the vehicle's dynamics - not just aesthetics. Knowledge gained from the N24 race car program has led to body revisions designed to improve downforce while not increasing the drag coefficient of the car. Each form follows its functional requirements - a revised front splitter channels cooling air to the brakes and to the radiator while also producing increased down force. Bonnet louvres remove heat from the engine bay and help increase front-end down force by limiting the built up air pressure under the bonnet. New side sills derived from the N24 race car channel air towards the rear of the car rather than under it, reducing rear-end lift. A more pronounced boot 'flip' and the new rear carbon fibre diffuser work in harmony with a redesigned rear under floor to channel air through the new high-capacity oil cooler and maintain an area of low pressure under the rear of the car producing increased down force and aiding grip.

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