Well we waited a little time for a
significantly faster Vantage and AM managed to keep the project
quite close to their chests until it was announced at the opening of
the new Gaydon design centre,11th December 2007. I'm not suggesting squeezing
essentially the V12 from the
DBRS9 under the Vantage bonnet was easy - but it was an obvious
trick that AM would eventually try. But do have a close look at the
picture of the V12 engine and compare it to the similar engine
picture of the V8 Vantage; it's very tightly squeezed into that
space.
The (claimed) 600bhp 5.9 litre engine featured in the V12
Vantage RS concept has benefited directly from race development and
features a dry sump lubrication system, tuned length exhaust
manifolds, forged pistons and steel con-rods, revised lift and
duration camshafts and modified cylinder heads. Peak power is
achieved at 6250rpm and peak torque of 690Nm is at 5000rpm.
In addition to the engine, Vantage has been
comprehensively re-engineered to cope with such a huge power output
and extreme performance. Weight saving has been a priority and the
1600kg RS is virtually the same as the the V8 giving a phenomenal
power to weight ratio of 375bhp per tonne. Both the heavily vented
bonnet and boot lid are, like the DBS, made from carbon fibre which
is also found in great quantity all around the car both inside and
out. For
the first time on an Aston, there is a deployable spoiler that rises
automatically at high speeds to increase rear down force. And as
with the DBS, the RS has motor sport-inspired carbon ceramic brake
discs.
Quoting Dr Bez from his speech at the launch "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." Which in my opinion translates to
almost dead certain production at a price perhaps even higher than the DBS.
The thing is that the RS may well be worth more than any other
current AM. In addition to scarcity value, the RS is claimed to
reach 200mph and 0-60 in 4 seconds making it the (equal) fastest
road going AM of all time.
