Aston Martin · 2005–2018

Aston Martin Vantage AMR Pro

The Aston Martin Vantage is a series of sports cars from the British automotive manufacturer Aston Martin. Aston Martin has previously used the "Vantage" name on high-performance variants of their existing GT models, notably on the Virage-based car of the 1990s. The modern car, in contrast, is the leanest and most agile car in Aston's lineup. As such, it is intended as a more focused model to reach out to potential buyers of cars such as the Porsche 911 as well as the exotic sports and GT cars with which Aston Martins traditionally compete. Production of the V8 Vantage ended in 2017 while production of the V12 Vantage continued until 2018. The 2005 Vantage and its variants became the most successful model in Aston Martin's history. Aston Martin unveiled the next-generation Vantage in November 2017, and started its production run the following year.

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Overview

Following the unveiling of the AMV8 Vantage concept car in 2003 at the North American International Auto Show, the production version, known as the V8 Vantage was introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in 2005 for the 2006 model year. The two-seat, two-door coupé had a bonded aluminium structure for strength and lightness. The 172.5 in (4.38 m) long car featured a hatchback-style tailgate for practicality, with a large luggage shelf behind the seats. In addition to the coupé, a convertible, known as the V8 Vantage Roadster, was introduced later in that year. The V8 Vantage was initially powered by a 4.3-litre (4,280 cc) quad-cam 32-valve V8 which produced 380 bhp (283 kW; 385 PS) at 7,300 rpm and 410 N⋅m (302 lb⋅ft) at 5,000 rpm. However, models produced after 2008 had a 4.7-litre V8 with 420 bhp (313 kW; 426 PS) and 470 N⋅m (347 lb⋅ft) of torque. Though based loosely on Jaguar's AJ-V8 engine architecture, this engine was unique to Aston Martin and featured race-style dry-sump lubrication, which enabled it to be mounted low in the chassis for an improved centre of gravity. The cylinder block and heads, crankshaft, connecting rods, pistons, camshafts, inlet and exhaust manifolds, lubrication system and engine management were all designed in house by Aston Martin and the engine was assembled by hand at the AM facility in Cologne, Germany, which also built the V12 engine for the DB9 and Vanquish. The engine was front mid-mounted with a rear-mounted transaxle, giving a 49-51 front/rear weight distribution. Slotted Brembo brakes were also standard. The initial version of the V8 Vantage could accelerate from 0–60 mph (97 km/h) in 4.8 seconds before topping out at 175 mph (282 km/h). In 2008, Aston Martin introduced an aftermarket dealer approved upgrade package for power and han

2009 Update

In May 2008, Aston Martin announced new technological updates for the Vantage starting in the 2009 model year, which included changes to the engine, transmission, suspension and appearance. New cylinder liners that were now pressed into the aluminium block instead of the original cast-in variants allow a thinner liner, which in turn allows a larger capacity of 4.7-litre. The cylinder bore and stroke was increased from 89 mm (3.5 in) to 91 mm (3.6 in) and 86 mm (3.4 in) to 91 mm (3.6 in) respectively, giving a total displacement of 4,735 cc. The dry sump lubrication system was also modified. The "Sportshift" automated manual transmission benefited from a software update, while a lightened flywheel was introduced for both the manual and the Sportshift versions. Aston Martin also stiffened the suspension and updated them to use Bilstein dampers. An optional sports pack was offered with stiffer springs for better handling and all-new 5-spoke alloy wheels. Sportshift-equipped models also received a new dual throttle mapping update which allows the driver to choose from the default sport mode or comfort mode, meant to provide more comfortable shifts and throttle input for drivability. Combined European fuel economy and CO2 emissions were also improved by 13%. New wheels were also part of the update including 20-spoke alloy wheels and new 5-spoke aluminium wheels for the sports pack. The interior changed slightly, using an updated console similar to the Aston Martin DBS and the DB9. The update provided the Vantage with a power increase to 420 bhp (313 kW; 426 PS) at 7,000 rpm (an 11% increase) and a peak torque of 470 N⋅m (347 lb⋅ft) at 5,750 rpm (a 15% increase), providing the car with additional reserves of mid-range performance. Following the updates, the Vantage is able to

V8 Vantage variants

=== Roadster (2006–2017) === At the 2006 Greater Los Angeles Auto Show, Aston Martin officially unveiled the V8 Vantage Roadster. With a kerb weight of 1,710 kg (3,770 lb) the Roadster is 80 kg (176 lb) heavier than the coupé, but Aston Martin claimed both cars would have identical performance. To compensate for the loss of the roof a new, super-stiff cross-member was added to the frame. The soft top could be raised or lowered electronically in 18 seconds and could be operated at speeds up to 30 mph (48 km/h). It had the same 4.3-litre V8 from the coupé version producing 380 bhp (283 kW; 385 PS) at 7,000 rpm and 302 lb⋅ft (409 N⋅m) of torque at 5,000 rpm along with having a maximum speed of 175 mph (282 km/h). It would accelerate from 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 4.9 seconds. The 2009 Vantage Roadster features swan wing doors, a leather and alcantara interior and a zinc alloy centre console and a crystal-capped key fob. It also featured the updated 4.7-litre V8 which produces 420 bhp (313 kW; 426 PS) and 470 N⋅m (347 lb⋅ft) of torque, and can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 4.7 seconds before reaching a top speed of 180 mph (290 km/h). When fitted with the Sportshift transmission, the Vantage Roadster accelerates from 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 4.9 seconds, and has a kerb weight of 1,750 kg (3,858 lb). Prodrive V8 Vantage (2007). In 2007, Prodrive released a tuning package for the V8 Vantage, which consists of four separate packages that can be installed in stages. These four packages are for the engine, suspension, wheels, and aerodynamics. The engine package includes an engine control unit remapping and minor engine modifications that increase power on the 4.3-litre engine by 45 hp (34 kW), and torque by 25 lb⋅ft (34 N⋅m). Throttle control is also remapped. Also i

V12 Vantage variants

=== V12 Vantage / V12 Vantage Roadster (2009–2012) === On 11 December 2007, as part of Aston Martin's opening of their own design studio, the company unveiled a concept car based on the V8 Vantage. The car, known as the V12 Vantage RS, featured the AM11 V12 engine from the DBS and produced 510 bhp (380 kW; 517 PS) and 570 N⋅m (420 lb⋅ft) of torque. The power along with the kerb weight of 1,680 kg (3,704 lb) allows the car to accelerate from 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 4.2 seconds and achieve a top speed of 190 mph (306 km/h). Other additions include a new rear diffuser, a retractable rear-wing which can be raised or lowered, and carbon-ceramic brakes. The boot-lid and vented bonnet are also made from carbon-fibre to help decrease the car's weight. In early 2008, Aston Martin's CEO confirmed production of the V12 Vantage RS for mid-2009. Development prototypes of the V12 Vantage RS appeared in April 2008 before Aston Martin unveiled the production version, simply called the V12 Vantage, in 2009. On the finale of the 13th series of Top Gear, presenter Jeremy Clarkson drove the car, opining, "It's wonderful, wonderful, wonderful". In September 2009, the V12 Vantage was confirmed for the United States market and then-CEO Ulrich Bez personally confirmed that homologation in the United States was underway. This was in response to the decision of expanding the production run beyond 1,000 units. On 24 August 2011, Aston Martin announced that they were developing a GT3 version of the V12 Vantage, to replace the Aston Martin DBRS9. The race car was expected to be delivered by early 2012. In 2013, Aston Martin unveiled a convertible version called the V12 Vantage Roadster with a limited production of 101 units. It has a larger rearspoiler and ventilation carbon openings in the bonne

Motorsport

=== N24 === During the 2006 British Motor Show in London, Aston Martin Racing revealed a near-stock version of the V8 Vantage that would compete in the Nürburgring 24 Hours endurance race. The car, now known as the V8 Vantage N24, was driven by Aston Martin CEO Dr. Ulrich Bez, development engineer Chris Porrit, development driver Wolfgang Schuhbauer and German journalist Horst Graf von Saurma-Jeltsch in the 24‑hour race. The car finished 4th in class and 24th overall, before being driven home on public roads after the race. While essentially much like the existing coupé, the N24 had a front splitter and extended door sills for aerodynamic efficiency, a full roll cage, a racing fuel tank, and other modifications necessary to make the car race-worthy. Other modifications include the removal of most of the interior, including all seats, replaced by a lone Recaro drivers' seat. Later in 2006, Aston Martin confirmed that they would offer the V8 Vantage N24 to customers as a track car similar to a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup. The N24 specification complies with FIA GT4 European Cup, German VLN series, Grand-Am Cup, and various other national series' requirements. The V8 Vantage N24 was featured in the BBC television series Top Gear, selected by James May in the presenters' quest to find the best driving road in Europe. Based on a grand tourer—less seat padding, air conditioning, suspension travel, and other comforts—the N24 was mocked by co-hosts Richard Hammond and Jeremy Clarkson as an ill-considered choice. Additional honours have included a first and second the 2007 European GT4 race at Silverstone, the first 3 places in their class at the 2008 Nurburgring 24 hours race (18th out of 220 cars entered overall), and strong showings in Bahrain, VLN racing, and other tracks and event

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name: Aston Martin V8 Vantage, Aston Martin V12 Vantage
Manufacturer: Aston Martin
Production: 2005–2017 (V8 Vantage), 2009–2018 (V12 Vantage)
Assembly: United Kingdom: Gaydon, Warwickshire
Model years: 2006–2018
Designer: Henrik Fisker
Class: Sports car (S)
Body style: 2-door coupé, 2-door roadster
Platform: VH Generation II
Related: Aston Martin DB9, Aston Martin DBS, Aston Martin V12 Zagato, Aston Martin Rapide, Aston Martin DB10, Aston Martin Vanquish
Layout: Front mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive
Engine: 4.3 L AM05 V8, 4.7 L AM14 V8, 5.9 L AM11 V12 (V12 Vantage), 5.9 L AM28 V12 (V12 Vantage S)
Transmission: 6-speed Graziano manual, 6-speed Sportshift automated manual, 7-speed Sportshift II automated manual, 7-speed Sportshift III automated manual (V12 Vantage S), 7-speed dog-leg manual (2017 V12 Vantage S only)
Wheelbase: 2006–2007, 2010–2018: 102.4 in, 2008–2010: 102.5 in
Length: 172.5 in, 2011–2018 V12: 172.6 in
Width: 73.5 in, 2011–2018 V12: 73.4 in
Height: 2006–07: 49.4 in, Roadster: 2006–07: 50.0 in, 2008–2010: 49.5 in, 2011–2018 V8: 49.6 in, 2011–2018 V12: 49.2 in
Kerb weight: 1630 kg (V8 Vantage), 1610 kg (V8 Vantage S), 1680 kg (V12 Vantage), 1665 kg (V12 Vantage S)
sp: uk
Predecessor: Aston Martin Vantage
Successor: Aston Martin Vantage (2018)

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

Sources

Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q30594366CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aston_Martin_Vantage_(2005)CC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1376917999 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2017-03-07_Geneva_Motor_Show_1155.JPGCC BY 4.0 · Photo: Norbert Aepli, Switzerland (User:Noebu) · retrieved 2026-10-01
Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.