Aston releases V12 Vantage Roadster

Aston Martin has finally released a range-topping V12 version of its Vantage Roadster, which will be priced at $431,561 plus on-road costs in Australia.

That makes the limited-edition V12 Vantage Roadster almost $45,000 more expensive than the fixed-roof V12 Vantage Coupe ($386,892) and almost $137,000 pricier than the V8-powered Vantage S Roadster ($294,900), although the $450,800 DBS Coupe and $481,800 DBS Volante remain Aston’s top-shelf models.

Of course, that is excluding the limited-edition $2.7 million One-77 supercar and the all-new DBS-replacing Vanquish coupe, which arrives here at the end of this year priced from $473,000 and powered by an even higher-performance 421kW/620Nm 6.0-litre V12.

Despite a pricetag that puts it in a similar league to Porsche’s 911 Turbo S Cabriolet, Mercedes-AMG’s SLS Roadster and even the Ferrari California, at least one example of the 6.0-litre roadster is expected to arrive Down Under late this year after production starts in the fourth quarter.

“Given initial interest in Australia and with all 101 units being built to customer order only, we are confident that one or two of these highly exclusive Aston Martins will make its way to Australia,” said Aston Martin Asia Pacific Marketing and Communications Manager, Marcel Fabris.

Like the DBS and V12 Vantage Coupe, which was first launched in 2009, Aston’s newest V12 convertible delivers 380kW of power at 6500rpm and some 570Nm of torque at 5750rpm – enough for it to sprint to 100km/h in just 4.5 seconds on its way to a 305km/h top speed.

As such, the fabric-roofed roadster, which at 1760kg weighs 80kg more than its coupe sibling, is three-tenths slower to 100km/h but just as fast. As with the hard-top V12 Vantage, it will come with a Sport button to sharpen throttle response and produce a beefier exhaust note.

Also like its coupe namesake, the V12 Vantage Roadster is available only in six-speed manual form, and comes with a number of tweaks to the convertible’s bonded aluminium VH (Vertical-Horizontal) chassis, including revised rear suspension damping and spring rates.

Other changes over the V8 Vantage Roadster include a sharper rear bootlid lip to reduce rear lift and improve high-speed stability, new-design 19-inch alloy wheels, a lower front air intake, a different rear diffuser, larger twin exhaust outlets and carbon-fibre highlights for the front splitter, wing mirror scalps, tail-light surrounds and side strakes.

In the UK, Aston’s flagship Vantage – which wears super-sticky Pirelli P-Zero Corsa tyres as standard - will also be available with an optional interior trim package including a carbon-fibre fascia and gearshift surround.

“The V12 Vantage models are, first and foremost, driver’s cars – inviting and fully rewarding the driver’s full involvement,” said Aston Martin Chief Executive Officer, Dr Ulrich Bez.

“The addition to our range of this exceptional new roadster allows the driver and passenger to experience full ‘sensory overload’ thanks to its outstanding performance.

“I believe no other car in this class offers the combination of the V12 Vantage Roadster’s prestige, six-speed manual gearbox and the unique enjoyment that driving a high-performance convertible can deliver.”

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