2009 Aston Martin V12 Vantage RS
Aston Martin confirmedthat its high-performance Vantage V12 RS would make production last month, and now spy photographers have spotted the upcoming car undergoing testing at Germany’s Nürburgring. The Vantage V12 RS concept was first shown when the automaker christened its new design studio earlier this year and made its official auto show debut at this year’s Geneva show. The prototype seen retains the concept’s vented hood, but is wearing a new front fascia with a revised lower front air-intake and a new front splitter at its chin. While the details are slightly different on the prototype, the overall design of the concept remains. Out back, the prototype sports a slightly different rear diffuser than the one seen on the concept, but earlier mules had a similar treatment to the concept — indicating that the rear design isn’t quite set in stone yet. The Vantage V12 RS will be fitted with Aston Martin’s 6.0L V12 producing at least 550 horsepower — although our sources say the road-going car will have 600 horsepower and 508 lb-ft of torque. If the production car incorporates some of the racing goodies from the concept, look for the production car to feature forged pistons, tuned exhaust headers, a dry-sump lubrication system and special cylinder heads and camshafts — resulting in a 0-60 time of 4 seconds flat. No word on how much the Vantage V12 RS will list for, but expect a significant price jump over the "base" car. Sources from http://www.leftlanenews.com
June 25 2008 06:18 am | Car News
