New Vantage RS spied at the Nurburgring
Discussion
Interesting, thanks.
It did make me think that there are advantages to making your own engines - Porsche can do whatever they like with their powerplant; Aston can do what MB allow and cooperate with. Not that it's just the engine that defines a track monster - but it helps
As an aside, it would appear that Porsche make roughly as many 911 GT3's per year as Aston do Vantages of any stripe (roughly 1,600 from a quick online search). The advantages of volume as well.
It did make me think that there are advantages to making your own engines - Porsche can do whatever they like with their powerplant; Aston can do what MB allow and cooperate with. Not that it's just the engine that defines a track monster - but it helps
As an aside, it would appear that Porsche make roughly as many 911 GT3's per year as Aston do Vantages of any stripe (roughly 1,600 from a quick online search). The advantages of volume as well.
This and the Valen. Not sure I’m completely aligned with Aston’s model and aspirations trajectory.
The Valkyrie was a glorious unicorn in terms of performance. A Bulldog for the 21st Century that made production against the odds. Yet its was still elegant in its extreme design.
Winglets. Full blown wings. Gaping snouts. It’s all making me stick even more in the VH era.
The Valkyrie was a glorious unicorn in terms of performance. A Bulldog for the 21st Century that made production against the odds. Yet its was still elegant in its extreme design.
Winglets. Full blown wings. Gaping snouts. It’s all making me stick even more in the VH era.
christof said:
Thanks for sharing. Really curious about this car, where it will be positioned. I can't see it going up against the Porsche 911 GT3 RS. It would have to lose so much weight, be really stripped down to be a genuine "track car". More likely it seems to be aimed at the 911 GT3, but even that is such a driver's focused car. I think their target audience might be 911 GT3 owners of "a certain age" who realize after a few miles, it's not a relaxing car at all and they should have got a Turbo S instead or the Mercedes AMG GT63 Pro market. The AMG is nowhere near the pure drivers/track car that the GT3 is but close enough to have serious fun and a better daily. This recent comparison test shows that you can compete with Porsche 911s if you can get close-ish on the driver's feel side and beat it on the daily/everyday driving end: https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/comparison-te...Assuming they will tweak the V8 else they will get a ton of abuse (lawsuits?!) from previous V12 Vantage owners who bought "the last V12 Vantage"! My guess is a 695BHP V8 engine and lots of chassis tweaks to the "regular" Vantage S.
Edited by BenAstonV12 on Wednesday 19th August 07:11
It is interesting. I have no interest in a track type car, but I do think a proper gt3 rs rival would do well for AM, the problem is, that it will just be a body kit, 10 more hp, and alcantara interior, slighty stiffer springs/anti roll bars. They won't actually drop the weight by 250 kg or even really attempt that, which would be the true interesting outcome of a "RS" type project. It'll be interesting to see how quickly they roll out other editions, like how they did the db12s. Wonder how far out a vanquish S will be etc. Would be a shame to lose the vantage though if those rumors are to be believed. Surely a v12V will come at some point
Their current strategy is interesting, I guess making margin on the very expensive halo series.
I do think not offering a Db 12 with a detuned 5.2 v12 is insane given the "12" in the name. People would still pay 20K extra for it. I personally have little interest in a 4.0 amg engine in an AM but understand their predicament.
Their current strategy is interesting, I guess making margin on the very expensive halo series.
I do think not offering a Db 12 with a detuned 5.2 v12 is insane given the "12" in the name. People would still pay 20K extra for it. I personally have little interest in a 4.0 amg engine in an AM but understand their predicament.
LTP said:
It did make me think that there are advantages to making your own engines - Porsche can do whatever they like with their powerplant; Aston can do what MB allow and cooperate with.
The difference is that Porsche make rather more cars than Aston Martin, and probably have rather better finances than Aston Martin, and making your own engine is thunderously expensive.Edited by Simpo Two on Tuesday 18th August 20:08
Given Porsche make 68 models of the 911, I think there is plenty of room for a more focused track-orientated Vantage in the line up. After all variety is the spice of life and if it means for customers for AM then great.
Vantage
Vantage S
Vantage ‘RS’
Adding an ‘RS’ doesn’t detract from the brand and three models is hardly too many or making the range too convoluted.
I’d add one more, a ‘Touring’, more GT-orientated, softer, perhaps more classical and less aggressively styled. More pipe and slippers for those that fancy it.
Vantage
Vantage S
Vantage ‘RS’
Adding an ‘RS’ doesn’t detract from the brand and three models is hardly too many or making the range too convoluted.
I’d add one more, a ‘Touring’, more GT-orientated, softer, perhaps more classical and less aggressively styled. More pipe and slippers for those that fancy it.
The V12 Vantage concept car revealed in 2007 was labelled “RS” but the name never made it to the final production version. It became V12 Vantage launched in 2009, based very much on DBS of the time. Has AML ever used an “RS” designation for a production car? I’m not entirely sure but I suspect they may not have done (happy to be corrected of course if that’s wrong). As for this car, I would expect some people, possibly on this forum, know exactly what it is and may have even already seen it. I haven’t but I’m guessing another relatively expensive (not Valen expensive) limited run special, but I wouldn’t entirely rule out a V12 engine. Over the years AML has consistently shown that their tagline “last ever V12 Vantage” is somewhat tenuous, and if this one does turn out to be a new V12, they may even say no roadster version too. 
BRM.
BRM.
Why do they bother with the camo when you can see the details anyway? I think it just draws more attention to the car, prompting photos and articles like this? To me, its a good marketing ploy. If they really wanted to disguise it, make it silver and leave it dirty, noone would give it a second glance, or do private track days.
I see that the most powerful version of the M-B 4 litre V8 is;
Designation: M178 LS2 (M178 platform)
Application: Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series
Horsepower: 720 hp (537 kW) at 6,700–6,900 rpm
Torque: 590 lb-ft (800 Nm) at 2,000–6,000 rpm
Key Differences: Uses a flat-plane crankshaft instead of a traditional cross-plane setup, larger turbo compressor wheels, and a dry-sump lubrication.
Aston Martin's most powerful V12 is;
850PS
1000Nm
bogie said:
Never heard of an "RS" production model but it could be the first. As Porsche have "GT3" trademarked Aston had to call the Vantage V12 track orientated car a GT12 but perhaps "RS" is available 
As you say , Porsche objected to the GT3 moniker but much more difficult to object to the RS usage as has been used by a fair few manufacturers.I think it would be a good addition but whether it becomes a full production model or as with the previous incarnation GT8 a more limited run is the question.
It would probably need more differentiation to the S though and then the issue of price will raise its head.
I can’t see it being anything other than V8 powered though.
bogie said:
Never heard of an "RS" production model but it could be the first. As Porsche have "GT3" trademarked Aston had to call the Vantage V12 track orientated car a GT12 but perhaps "RS" is available
Ford borrowed the traditional Aston Martin front grille for a few years.
Perhaps it is time now for Aston Martin to have that favour returned, by using Ford's RS designation.
Jon39 said:
I see that the most powerful version of the M-B 4 litre V8 is;
Designation: M178 LS2 (M178 platform)
Application: Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series
Horsepower: 720 hp (537 kW) at 6,700 6,900 rpm
Torque: 590 lb-ft (800 Nm) at 2,000 6,000 rpm
Key Differences: Uses a flat-plane crankshaft instead of a traditional cross-plane setup, larger turbo compressor wheels, and a dry-sump lubrication.
Aston Martin's most powerful V12 is;
850PS
1000Nm
Added weight of the V12 would be detrimental to a track orientated effort, and AM promised the last one was the “Last, Last” V12V.
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