Just a few months after Aston Martin unveiled the DBS it presented the concept car called V12 Vantage RS. The concept was prepared as a celebration of Aston Martin opening their own design studio and thanks to a good amount of public interest, the concept became reality. The production V12 Vantage car was virtually no different from the concept car. It got the most powerful V12 engine Aston Martin had, pulled straight from the flagship DBS. As a result, the V12 Vantage horsepower was increased by nearly 100 over the standard V8 Vantage. Likewise, the performance numbers were substantially improved. The V12 Vantage price was also significantly higher than the V8 model, but still nowhere near the flagship DBS which barely outperformed the V12 Vantage. That said, all three models had very different customers and this V12 Vantage review will explain what it does better than its family members. But before that, check if any are currently for sale here at Exotic Car Trader.
The V12 Vantage likely came as a result of Aston Martin trying to diversify its lineup. At the time, it only had the V8 Vantage and the DB9 with their respective convertible versions. The DBS came out in 2007 as a sportier, more focused alternative to the DB9 and was meant to be the fastest Aston Martin on offer. And since the V8 Vantage chassis was just sitting there next to the V12 engine, some got the bright idea to fuse the two. And so the V12 Vantage was born as the ultimate rival to the DBS but also as the ultimate entry level supercar. The V12 Vantage was so successful that Aston Martin broke the promise it would only make 1,000 examples, plus it’s the reason the latest Vantage also gets the twin turbocharged V12 from the DBS. So, how many V12 Vantages were produced? The answer is 1,199 worldwide of which around 400 had a manual transmission. As to where was the V12 Vantage made, the answer is Gaydon alongside the DBS. Now, let’s take this V12 Vantage review to the fun side.
The Aston Martin DBS was made to be the fastest model for the brand, but it’s also a big grand touring coupe which has to be comfortable as well. The Vantage on the other hand is a small two seater sports car which doesn’t have to make as many compromises. As a result, the V12 Vantage was noticeably faster than the DBS around the race track and was much more engaging to drive. The V12 Vantage horsepower and torque was as it was for the DBS at 510 and 420 lb-ft. Also, the V12 Vantage weight was about the same as the DBS at 3,704 lbs, just 30 lbs less. The engine and weight meant the V12 Vantage 0-60 time and top speed was also very similar to that of the DBS. The V12 Vantage sprints to 60 in just 4 seconds and on to a top speed of 190 mph. You might be wondering why the two even exist side by side if they are so similar. And again, the V12 Vantage is a much more raw experience more suitable for track days while the DBS is an ultra fast GT.
The V12 Vantage interior is virtually identical to that of the V8 Vantage, and the V8 Vantage interior is just slightly different from the one on the DB9 and DBS. Given that Aston Martin was just recovering from financial troubles, sharing as many parts between models was the only way to do it. So, the gauge cluster is carried over from the DBS with its beautiful machined face and a signature rev counter going the opposite way. The center console looks like it came from an Audi although it’s covered in nicer materials and has a beautiful clock in the middle. On top of the center console are transmission buttons with a key slot in the middle. The beautiful bucket seats are power adjustable while the Volvo sourced navigation with a folding screen remained until the first generation V12 Vantage went out of production. Overall, the V12 Vantage design is simple, masculine and pretty and most importantly, it will look just as good in fifty years as it does today which can't be said for most modern cars.
The V12 Vantage exterior looks much different from a standard V8 model unlike its interior. The V12 Vantage got a new front bumper with a bigger main intake and a redesigned lower intake with an integrated splitter. The bumper alone makes the V12 easily distinguishable and much more aggressive. But the most noticeable change is the hood. The V12 Vantage gets four hood vents, two of which are half the length of the hood itself. The vents are also finished in contrasting carbon fiber making it the signature V12 Vantage design cue. The side profile got new wheels and a lower side skirt. The behind was much more attractive now with a ducktail trunk lid, bigger exhausts plus much more aggressive and functional diffuser. Overall, the V12 Vantage is just as easy to distinguish from a V8 as the DBS is from a DB9. Not to mention that all the changes done to the V12 Vantage make it look like it belongs on the Mulsanne straight instead of public roads which is always a positive.
Back when the V12 Vantage came out it had an MSRP of $180,000 in the US. Its bigger brother, the DBS, started at $280,000 while the V8 Vantage was around $115,000. That put the V12 Vantage right in the middle of the lineup. So, how much is a V12 Vantage worth today? Depending on the condition and mileage V12 Vantages can go for between $80,000 and $120,000. That’s about the same as what the DBS goes for, making the choice between the two today nothing more than personal preference.
Ultimately, the V12 Vantage is a fairly special car despite there being a new generation. The original V12 Vantage uses the now iconic Aston Martin V12 which is also naturally aspirated making it that much more unique in modern times. And given how low its production numbers are, the V12 Vantage likely won’t depreciate any further. And if you are thinking of getting one, doing so with Exotic Car Trader is one of the best ways to go about it. Exotic Car Trader offers escrow protection, delivery, first inspection and infinite convenience. The same goes if you are looking to sell a car through Exotic Car Trader.
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