Aston Martin released official pricing of the upgraded 2012 range of the V8 Vantage. The gorgeous Brit’s prices now starting from $118,370 (Coupe) and $132,870 (Roadster). You want the hotted-up Vantage S, that’s gonna set you back $137,670. Prices have slightly changed over the previous models, and so have the cars. The upgrades for the 2012 range are subtle, but effective.
Styling-wise, Aston has not messed with the Vantage too much, and settled for a revised lower bumper, side sills and rear diffuser. It is still the best-looking GT in the world.
Technical changes are far more deep than visual ones. The standard six-speed manual transmission remains, but the optional six-speed Sportshift automated manual transmission has now been replaced with the seven-speed Sportshift II. The suspension and brakes are upgraded too – now featuring Hill Start Assist (HSA) – and so is the steering system. The V8 Vantage also comes with tires that are 10mm wider than the outgoing model, further improving grip and handling.
The 4.7 liter V8 engine remains unchanged at 420bhp and 346lb.ft of torque, maintaining its machine gun-like exhaust noise. Check out the full specs below:
US Specification – V8 Vantage
Body:
• Two-seat, two-door coupe or soft-cover convertible top body style
• Extruded bonded aluminium VH body structure
• Aluminium, magnesium alloy, composite and steel body
• Extruded aluminium door side-impact beams
• Halogen projector headlamps (main beam), High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps (dipped beam) and LED rear lamps
Engine:
• All-alloy quad overhead camshaft, 32-valve 4735 cc V8
• Front mid-mounted engine, rear-wheel drive
• Fully catalyzed stainless steel exhaust system with active bypass valves
• Compression ratio 11.3:1
• Maximum Power: 420bhp (313kW / 426PS) at 7,300rpm
• Maximum Torque: 346lb.ft (470Nm) at 5,000rpm
• Maximum Speed: 180mph (290km/h)
Transmission:
• Rear mid-mounted six-speed manual transmission
• Optional rear mid-mounted ‘Sportshift II’* seven-speed automated manual transmission
• Alloy torque tube with carbon fiber propeller shaft
• Limited slip differential
• Final Drive Ratio 3.909:1 (manual); 4.182:1 (Sportshift II*’)
Steering:
• Rack and pinion, power-assisted steering, 2.62 turns lock-to-lock
• Column tilt and reach adjustment.
Wheels & Tires
• 19″ V-Spoke cast alloy silver painted wheels with diamond turned finish
• Front: 8.5J x 19″ Bridgestone Potenza RE050 245/40 ZR19
• Rear: 10.0J x 19″ Bridgestone Potenza RE050 285/35 ZR19 Suspension:
• Front: Independent double wishbones incorporating anti-dive geometry, coil springs, antiroll bar and monotube dampers
• Rear: Independent double wishbones with anti- squat and anti-lift geometry, coil springs,
anti-roll bar and monotube dampers
Brakes:
• Front: Ventilated and grooved two-piece floating discs, 380mm diameter with six-piston
calipers
• Rear: Ventilated and grooved steel discs, 330mm diameter with four-piston calipers
• Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
• Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
• Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)
• Emergency Brake Assist (EBA)
• Hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA)
• Positive Torque Control (PTC)
• Hill Start Assist (HSA)
• Traction Control
Interior:
• Full grain leather interior
• Piano Black facia trim and Graphite centre console finish
• Leather-trimmed sports steering wheel
• Electrically operated Sports seats with side airbags
• Dual-stage driver and passenger front airbags
• Powerfold exterior heated mirrors
• Heated rear screen
• Automatic temperature control
• Organic Electroluminescent (OEL) displays
• Trip computer
• Integrated satellite navigation system
• Cruise control
• Bluetooth® telephone preparation
• Front & rear parking sensors
• Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPM) system
• Auto dimming interior rear view mirror with garage door opener
• Alarm and immobiliser
• Remote-controlled central door locking and boot release
• Glass ECU
• LED map lamps
• Lamy pen and pen holder
In-Car Entertainment:
• Satellite radio system
• 160W Aston Martin audio system with six-CD autochanger
• Integrated Apple iPod® connector
• USB connector with Waveform Audio Format (WAF), Windows Media Player (WMA) and MPEG (MP3) audio file compatibility
Exterior Options:
• V-Spoke cast alloy graphite painted wheels with diamond turned finish
• 10-Spoke forged alloy silver painted wheels with diamond turned finish
• 10-Spoke forged alloy graphite painted wheels with diamond turned finish • Sport suspension (coupe only)
• Carbon fiber body pack (front splitter and rear diffuser)
• Bright-finish grill
• Magnum Silver bonnet and side stake meshes
• Clear rear lamps
• Alternative brake caliper finish – black, red, silver or yellow
Interior Options:
• Memory front seats and exterior mirrors (three positions)
• Heated seats
• Passenger seat with ISOFIX (fixed height)
• Alternative facia trim finishes – Walnut, Mahogany, Tamo Ash, Bamboo, Iridium Silver interior with Piano Black
• Color-keyed leather sports steering wheel
• Indented leather seat inserts
• 700W Aston Martin Premium Audio system with Dolby® Pro Logic II®
• 1000W Bang & Olufsen BeoSound audio system with ICEpower® technology
• Alarm upgrade (volumetric and tilt sensor)
• Second glass ECU
• Personalized sill plaques
• Ashtray and cigar lighter
• Boot mounted umbrella
• Wind deflector (Roadster only)
• First aid kit
Dimensions:
• Length: 4385mm (172.6″)
• Width (excluding mirrors): 1865mm (73.5″)
• Width (including mirrors): 2025mm (79.7″)
• Height (Coupe): 1260mm (49.6″)
• Height (Roadster): 1270mm (50.0″)
• Wheelbase: 2600mm (102.4″)
• Front Track: 1570mm (61.8″)
• Rear Track: 1590mm (62.6″)
• Turning Circle: 11.38m (37.3ft) (kerb to kerb)
• Boot Capacity (Coupe): 300 liters (10.6 cu ft)/(Roadster): 144 liters (5.0 cu ft)
• Fuel Capacity: 80 liters (21.1 US gal)
• Kerb Weight (Coupe): 3595lb (1630kg)/(Roadster): 3770lb (1710kg)
Gas Mileage (North America):
Manual Sportshift II™
• City 13mpg • City 14mpg
• Highway 19mpg • Highway 21mpg
* iPod® is a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the US and other countries
*’Sportshift’ trademark is used under license from Prodrive (Holdings) Ltd
