26 Jun 00
Aston Martin is to launch a new 450 bhp V12 coupe to replace the V8 this autumn. Closely based on the Project Vantage concept car that it showed at the Detroit motor show in January 1998, the new car replaces the long running V8 (originally Virage) which debuted in 1988, and will be unveiled at the Birmingham Motor Show this October. Just 300 will be handbuilt each year at the company's Newport Pagnell factory, and they will cost around £200,000 each. The new model will go on sale next January.
This latest Aston is the first of a new generation of cars developed under Ford ownership, in which the American parent will be using the British company as a testbed for hi-tech engineering solutions - in this case, the body construction. In five to six years time Aston will introduce a completely new model, to compete with the Porsche 911, and take the firm's annual production from around 1000 cars to 3000 - close to the 3500 cars Ferrari produces yearly.
This new V12 coupe is intended to take on Ferrari's 550 Maranello and 456 GT, as well as the Bentley Continental. It has been designed by Aston Martin design director Ian Callum and it will closely resemble the 1998 concept car Project Vantage in both style and dimensions, the main difference being to the lighting arrangements at the front end. It is constructed around a lightweight aluminium spaceframe, features inner bodywork panels made from composites, and exterior panels hand-fashioned from aluminium, maintaining a longstanding Aston tradition. The result is a car much lighter than the admittedly overweight V8.
The new model - 'which will not be called DB12' says Aston - is powered by an upgraded version of the Ford derived V12 used in the DB7 Vantage. A 6.0 litre 48 valve V12, it produces 420 bhp in the DB7 Vantage, a figure that rises to 450 bhp in the new car. It has an electronic throttle, and is mated to a six speed sequential gear change with Formula One style paddle shifts mounted to the steering column. The car is only available with this transmission, which the driver can switch to a full automatic mode if desired.
Inside, you can expect a more modern interpretation of the wood and leather approach in which aluminium is also highlighted. The car can be ordered either as a two-seater, with a luggage shelf in place of the rear seats, or a two-plus-two. As ever, there will be wide range of paint and trim finishes offered, together with plenty of scope for personalisation of the car.
