Aston Martin CEO Ulrich Bez has confirmed in an interview to GT Spirit that a new Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster will eventually be introduced in 2012. Apparently, the new model will draw inspiration from both V8 Vantage Roadster and V12 Vantage Coupe (pictured), and should come with a 6.0-litre V12 unit producing 510 hp and 570 Nm of maximum torque, delivering a top speed of 305 km/h (190 mph) and 0-100 km/h (62 mph) sprint time of 4.2 seconds.

The new Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster could make its first appearance as soon as next March at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show. We will be waiting for some confirmation on the subject.

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Aston Martin Racing will be back to business next year with this V12 Vantage GT3 racer. It marks a new vehicle for Aston’s customer racing efforts as the new V12 Vantage in GT3 spec will substitute the previous DBRS9 racer. The Vantage GT3 will use a modified version of the six-lite V12 production Aston engine for racing.

The dry-sumped engine is expected to reach about 600 hp and 700 Nm of torque, and has been repositioned to give the car better balance. It will come with a six-speed sequential transmission with paddle shift and new aerodynamics have been studied for the Vantage to give it better track performance.

More racing features of the new Aston GT3 include the lower engine position on the Vantage and a shorter wheelbase. The V12 Vantage GT3 will also get racing ABS and traction control. The car will undergo endurance testing in October and will be ready for deliveries 2012, with prices starting from £298,000 (approx. €340,000).

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The modern day take on the Aston Martin-Zagato relationship in the form of the Aston Martin V12 Vantage Zagato is far from just a marketing manoeuvre, as we learn in this video from Autocar. The test drive of the Zagato Vantage took place at the Aston Martin test facilities at Gaydon on one of the models that participated in the 24 hours Nurburgring endurance race.

The production models will have some changes made to them and will probably be a lot quieter. That’s a good thing as we wouldn’t want to feel like we were permanently in a race car, but as Jamie Corstorphine says, just poddling around in the V12 Zagato racer makes the most incredibly exhilirating engine noise.

The test drive doesn’t tell us much about what a production Aston V12 Zagato might be like but as the test points out - we’ve been waiting for a fresh-faced Aston for a while now, and with plenty of sports coupé performance, this kind of model is right up Aston’s alley. The video is so worth the watching just to get inside the race car - check it out above.

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HBH has released these new teaser pics of its next creation - a centrally-engined supercar based on the Aston Martin V12 Vantage. It will be a one-off HBH with a tuned version of the Vantage’s V12 engine. The 12 cylinder model will have a twinturbo system which could take power from the current 517 hp, to anywhere around the 700 hp mark. No more information has currently been released about the project, or when we might see it debut.

Aston Martin V12 Vantage HBH supercar

Continue reading: HBH Aston Martin V12 Vantage teasers

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In this hot video we see the Aston Martin V12 Vantage alongside the Aston Martin Le Mans racer: the LMP1. The latter was created in collaboration with Lola and is used both in the famous Le Mans race and in other sports races. Both vehicles are equipped with a six-litre V12 engine, while the Vantage has power of 517. That’s impressive in itself, while the LMP1 has more than 650 hp on a car that weighs just 900 kg. The racer we see in this video is ready for the greener pastures of retirement as the new LMP1 is ready for competition at the 2011 Le Mans.

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The Aston Martin Cygnet interior is what makes this a special compact, city car. The exterior has been modified just enough to make it more pleasing to the eye than the Toyota iQ, but it hardly screams the Aston brand. The interior, on the other hand, is truly amazing - just like a luxury, 12 cylinder coupé. We won’t hazard a guess as to how successful this will be for Aston, as it seems more like a fun experiment for Aston owners than anything else, but we still enjoyed seeing the Cygnet in the flesh.

The Aston Stand at the Geneva Motor Show also exhibits the DB9 Coupé, DBS Volante, the V12 Vantage and the Rapide sedan. It’s got to be one of the most elegant and sophisticated stands at the show and is well worth a look if you’re there.

Aston Martin Cygnet live at Geneva: the Aston stand

Continue reading: Aston Martin Cygnet live at Geneva motor show: Aston stand pics

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The Aston Martin DBS and Aston Martin V12 Vantage will have a carbon black edition available from next month. In time for Christmas orders, the Aston Martin carbon fibre finish increases the appeal of the cars and reduces weight. Thanks to new sports seats, for example, the use of carbon and kevlar has saved up to 17 kg.

New Aston Martin rims with five spoke design are available, and obviously the DBS and V12 Vantage now come with Carbon Black exterior finish, used also on the interior features. The audio systems also get an overhaul, with the Vantage now equipped with the 700 Watt Premium Audio System, while the DBS has the Bang & Olufsen Beosound.

According to Aston Martin, a price increase of approximately five percent will be added, although full pricing and available will be available next month.

Continue reading: Aston Martin Carbon Black for DBS and V12 Vantage

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How Lotus Evora became UK’s Best Handling Car according to Autocar.co.uk testing. Contenders: Lotus Evora, Jaguar XFR, Nissan GT-R, Porsche 911 GT3, Porsche Panamera, Audi R8 V10, Aston Martin V12 Vantage, Lamborghini Murcielago LP 670-4 SV, Ford Focus RS, Renault Sport Clio 200 Cup, Nissan 370Z.

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In one mega group-test Evo sees which is the best road-racer model out of the Porsche 911 GT3, the Aston Martin V12 Vantage, the Audi R8 V10 and the Corvette ZR1. While describing this test as determining the most “hard-core” model, the introduction doesn’t really specify the criteria.

In fact, after a look at the engine specs and details, the Corvette is pegged as one of the more interesting models due to its very fast engine. But if you were to explain from the beginning that by “road-racing” you mean vehicles that can go fast elegantly, corner well, and give an overall fast but assured driving experience, you’d probably understand that the ZR1 is not quite in the league of the others (although some accusations of bias were levelled at Evo in the comments).

After an initial drive, Evo says:

Continue reading: Group test: Porsche GT3 vs Vantage V12 vs Audi R8 V10 vs Corvette ZR1

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Jeremy Clarkson drives the Aston Martin V12 Vantage in this video. The presentation is blanketed in pathos, with Clarkson saying that he feels like he’s driving an ending. Otherwise, the verdict on the six-litre V12 with 510 hp is: “It’s fantastic. It’s wonderful, wonderful, wonderful.”

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A very lucky Richard Meaden from Drivers Republic had the chance to race in the 24 hours on the Nurburgring onboard an Aston Martin V12 Vantage. He shared the driving with Ulrich Betz and another two drivers, and you can see their exploits in these two videos. It’s an exciting event for anyone who loves motor car racing, and you can relive some of the excitement in this footage.

The V12 Vantage had a few safety updates to be able to participate in the race, but apart from that it’s more or less the series model. It achieved an excellent result: first in its classification and 21st overall, demonstrating both speed and trustworthiness.

Continue reading: Video: Nurburgring 24hrs from an Aston Martin V12 Vantage

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Are we jealous!! With the Aston Martin V12 Vantage in utterly undeniable sports style, Autocar attests “I still love this car”. For a video test drive of the V12 Vantage, see the video above, and whether you agree with the “gran turismo” compromise or not, see the beautiful gallery below.

Continue reading: Autocar tests Aston Martin V12 Vantage, new pics

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