Aston Martin has unveiled the latest V12 Roadster at this year’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. The brand says the new V12 Vantage Roadster combines the performance of the most powerful Vantage ever made with the freedom of open-top driving.
Aston Martin will only make 249 examples of the V12 Vantage Roadster globally. The brand also announced it sold all of them before its release. In comparison, Aston Martin made 333 examples of its coupe counterpart. Thus, making the V12 Vantage Roadster even more exclusive than the coupe.
Aston Martin did not specify how much the limited edition Vantage Roadster would cost. However, it will most likely be the most expensive Vantage from the brand. Aston Martin says its production will commence from Q3 of 2022. Meanwhile, the first deliveries will begin in Q4 of 2022.
The main talking point of the Vantage Roadster is obviously its fabric roof. However, Aston Martin has also made a host of styling changes to distinguish it from the V12 Vantage coupe. The V12 Vantage Roadster uses a widebody design to accommodate the sidetrack suspension, which is wider by 40mm than the Vantage. The front grille is also 25 per cent larger for better cooling. Further aiding the engine cooling is the ‘horse shoe’ engine vent in the bonnet. Meanwhile, the full-width front splitter adds downforce and helps with aerodynamic balance.
On the sides, it gets new single-piece sills and new 21-inch alloy wheels. The wheels come in two finish options – Satin Black and Satin Black Diamond Turned. Furthermore, Aston Martin also offers lightweight forger wheels, which save 8 kg of weight.
At the rear, the V12 Vantage gets a new integrated diffuser. Furthermore, it gets new centre-mounted twin exhaust pipes. Unlike the V12 Vantage coupe, the Roadster does not come with the rear wing as standard. However, customers can opt for it as an option.
Like the V12 Vantage coupe, the Roadster uses the same 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12 engine. The same V12 engine also does duty on the DBS and DB11. The V12 Vantage Roadster makes 700 PS at 6,500 rpm and 753 Nm of torque at 5,500 rpm. The twin-turbo V12 is mated to a ZF 8-speed automatic transmission and a mechanical Limited-Slip Differential (LSD). Its 372 PS-per-tonne power-to-weight ratio helps it accelerate from 0 to 100 kmph in 3.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 320 kmph.
Additionally, it shares its Carbon Ceramic Brakes (CCB) with the V12 Vantage. The front discs measure 410mm in diameter, are 38mm thick, and use 6-piston callipers. Meanwhile, the rear discs measure 360mm in diameter, are 32mm thick and use 4-piston callipers. Aston Martin claims the CCB technology saves 23 kg in unsprung mass compared to regular steel disc brakes.
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