Aston Martin V12 Vantage RS: Premium Power

Motoring Channel Staff - 12/December/2007

Gaydon, England — Aston Martin is having a good year. Sales are up, the British exotic car maker is predicted to grow even more in the next few years as new models hit the streets, and now another super-cool sports car has broken cover.

The Aston Martin V12 Vantage RS is one of the company's most powerful vehicles thus far, and this motor sports-inspired street machine looks the part too, with a low riding body, an ultra-sleek roof, and massive sports wheels.

The V12 Vantage RS is powered by a 6.0-litre 48-valve V12 motor outputting 447kW (600hp), similar to the unit used in the Aston Martin DBRS9 race car.

This new rear-wheel drive vehicle is officially a concept car at the moment, and was launched during the unveiling of Aston Martin's new design studio in Gaydon, England but is likely to go in production in 2008 as one of the British company's most expensive and exclusive vehicles to date.

Dr Ulrich Bez, the CEO of Aston Martin, had this to say about the new model: "Over the last five years, we have established a reputation for presenting fully functional, feasible concept cars, and the V12 Vantage RS is no exception. We will listen with interest to feedback on this concept and, as ever, if there is sufficient demand then we will seriously consider a low volume production run in the near future with a price that will reflect the exclusivity of the car.

The Aston Martin V12 Vantage RS gets a slightly new look. A number of small touches combining to make a big visual impact, such as the rear spoiler, clear LED brake light design and new wheels.

Aston Martin claims the bonnet louvres extract air from the fully ducted cooling pack and the trunk lid features a deployable spoiler that rises automatically at high speeds to increase rear down force.

Director of design, Marek Reichman, said the new design centre is an important part of creating any new model: "Our new dedicated design centre will take this [car design] process to a new level and I am delighted that the V12 Vantage RS is the first car to stand on the turntable in the studio."

According to Aston Martin, the new V12 Vantage RS develops 447kW (600hp) @ 6250rpm which is sufficient power to enable a top speed of just over 320km/h (200mph).

The V12 engine features a dry sump lubrication system, forged pistons and steel con-rods, tuned length exhaust manifolds, revised lift and duration camshafts and modified cylinder heads to increase response. Peak torque is 690Nm @ 5000rpm.

The zero to 96km/h dash will takes the V12 Vantage RS less than 4.0 seconds says Aston Martin, which would make it one of the fastest cars in the Aston range. It is expected to weigh around 1588kg (3500lbs), which would also make it one of the lightest cars in the Aston range.

The zero to 160km/h (100mph) sprint takes an astonishing 8.5 seconds, which about the same amount of time it takes a Holden Commodore to reach 100km/h (62mph).

Other features that made it onto the concept model include lots of carbon fibre, a range of motor sports inspired instruments for the driver, carbon-ceramic brakes and possibly a fire-extinguisher.

In other Aston Martin news, the company has signed a deal with MGM/Columbia pictures that will see Aston Martin cars appear in the next James Bond 007 movie, which is code named 'Bond 22' at present.

The new movie has a November 2008 release date, and Aston Martin and EON Productions have confirmed the DBS will again be driven by agent 007 (Daniel Craig).

In the last James Bond 007 movie, Casino Royale, Aston Martin's flagship car, the DBS, took out a Guinness World Record for "The Most Cannon Rolls In A Car". If you haven't seen the movie, the spectacular stunt sees the Aston Martin DBS fly through the air, rolling seven times.

We can only imagine what the DBS will be employed to do in 'Bond 22' (fingers crossed it involves transforming into a submarine).

Aston Martin's CEO, Dr Ulrich Bez, said: "Aston Martin is proud of our long association with James Bond. The DBS has its own unique character which equals that of James Bond. It is explosive power in a black tie. 

"It is the perfect car for James Bond as it delivers the complete driving experience and bridges the gap between our road and track cars – the DB9 and DBR9. It is equally at home on a twisting mountain circuit as on the open road and we are all very excited at the prospect of seeing it on the big screen again," said a very happy Dr Bez.

Related Articles:
- Aston Martin DBS (2008)
- Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster (2007)
- Aston Martin V8 Vantage (2005)
- Aston Martin DB7 Zagato (2003)