Aston Martin DB7 V12 Vantage (1999 - 2003) Vantage

db7 vantage © Tim Cottingham 2002

At long last, after a wait of six years, the Vantage version of the DB7 was unveiled at the 1999 Geneva Motor Show. Restyled by the original designer, Ian Callum, the exquisite poise of the DB7 was transformed with 'beefed up' flanks, new sills, larger nose air intake with revised grill and lights plus a new rear bumper. Under the surface, the chassis was 'beefed up' too and featured completely new front and rear suspension. Up until then, the Vantage derivative of an Aston Martin car has featured a tuned version of the standard engine; for the first time ever, the DB7 Vantage had a brand new engine and was significantly different from the i6 car. And what an engine - 6.0 litres of it - the first ever production Aston Martin to be fitted with a V12. 

db7 vantage © Tim Cottingham 2002 db7 vantage © Tim Cottingham 2002 db7 vantage © Tim Cottingham 2002 db7 vantage © Tim Cottingham 2002

v12 engine © Tim Cottingham 2002 And this engine, first of a totally new generation, became the future of Aston Martin during the first decade of the 21st century. The 6.0 litre, 48 valve, all-alloy, 60º V12 engine delivers 420 bhp and 400lbs ft of torque. Developed in close co-operation with the Ford Research and Vehicle Technology Group and Cosworth Technology, the V12 was designed to operate at a maximum speed of 7000rpm, features four valves per cylinder, twin overhead camshafts for each bank of cylinders and a sophisticated Visteon electronic management system. To cope with the massive increase in power, much of the chassis and suspension was extensively modified together with larger Brembo brakes.
Initially the car was available with either a six speed close ratio manual transmission (184 mph top speed, 0 to 60 mph in 5.0 seconds) or a five speed automatic (limited to 165 mph top speed, 0 to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds). From 2000, a highly acclaimed 'Touchtronic' system became available, developed in conjunction with ZF. The system has three transmission modes available to the Vantage driver. As well as a standard 'automatic' mode there is also a 'sports' mode where up changes were made at higher engine speeds. But drivers could also select 'touchtronic' mode which is a sequential manual mode. Gears can be changed by either moving the gear lever back and forth or by using '+' and '-' buttons on the steering wheel.
The above photos illustrate the possible approved wheel options for the V12 DB7. The first image shows the standard 18 inch diameter, 10 spoke item. The second image shows the 18 inch 10 spoke 'classic' magnesium Dymag introduced in 2000 (Dymag also make an 18 inch chunky 5 spoke design, known as 'sport' - not shown). The fourth image shows the 19 inch, 9 spoke design first offered in late 2001 for the 2002 model year. It is also possible to see V12 Vantages with the 18 inch 5 spoke wheel as fitted as standard to the (V12) GT.

db7 vantage © Tim Cottingham 2002 db7 vantage © Tim Cottingham 2002 db7 vantage © Tim Cottingham 2002 db7 vantage © Tim Cottingham 2002 db7 vantage © Tim Cottingham 2002 db7 vantage © Tim Cottingham 2002 db7 vantage © Tim Cottingham 2002

Here is one of my few picture of a V12 Vanquish in the company of a DB7 Vantage, taken at the factory in Newport Pagnell. They share the same V12 engine, although that in the Vanquish is significantly more powerful. Whilst the DB7 has a steel semi-monocoque body, the Vanquish has an advanced aluminium carbon composite chassis with hand finished superformed aluminium panels. Both were the work of Ian Callum and have many similarities, but which is your favourite? db7 vantage and v12 vanquish © Tim Cottingham 2002
This is the very last DB7 ever, which was completed by December 2003. It's a right hand drive V12 Vantage coupe, chassis number 304458, finished in Aston Martin Racing Green. The car is being retained by the factory as is to be on permanent display at the customer reception area at the Gaydon factory.

Total DB7 V12 production reached 4458 cars (excluding Zagato bodies cars) during four and a half years of building at the Bloxham site.

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