Aston Martin Project Vantage (1998)

aston martin project vantage and vanquish
Unveiled in January 1998 at the Detroit Motor Show, the Project Vantage thrust AML back into the world supercar spotlight. Initially built as a one off prototype, with 'no plans for production', the car, like many other previous AML prototypes, was a fully road going vehicle.  Reaction from the press and potential customers was fantastic - Aston Martin just had to build the car to become it's 'hero' model and replace the aging 'V' range.

Project Vantage featured a new 6.0 litre (450bhp?) V12 engine initially proposed for installation into the 1993 Lagonda Vignale and Ford Indigo prototypes. And the gear box was an F1 derived paddle system - another Aston Martin first.

Performance estimates were perhaps a little optimistic with a projected 200mph top speed and 60mph coming up in 4 seconds, performance only seen eventually in the Vanquish S of 2003. Penned by the Scot, Ian Callum, the car is strongly influenced by the DB7 (also the work of Callum) and also the DB4GT Zagato. Indeed, when I first saw pictures, I thought that it was the Vantage derivative of the DB7 which actually appeared a year later.

The only UK public appearance during 1998 of the car was at the AMOC race meeting at Donnington Park in October. The car was enclosed within a tight rope cordon, so photography was difficult, fortunately the car was displayed in the AM Works Service Reception in Autumn 2003 in the company of a Vanquish which allows for direct comparison. Remarkably, the Project Vantage was a true glimpse into the future as the V12 Vanquish remained faithful to this concept. It remains the property of the factory.
Lagonda Vignale by Works

V12 Vanquish prototypes