AUTOCARS COLECTION 2011

The Aston Martin V12 Vantage with the musclecar theme was launched last year. Analysis of the computer models and turned up a location where some extra aluminum longitudinal members could be installed to change the load path and soften the deceleration. It tested well, and this car is the result. The extra weight is insignificant. And the performance, handling and styling are unaffected by the crash mods.

Use the engine in question is a V12 of 5.9-liters, kicking out 510 horsepower, enough for a claimed zero-to-60mph time of 4.1 seconds. M/T has yet to test it for zero-to-60 under our paradigm. The rear-mounted transmission is a six-speed manual only, despite optional AMT and full-auto appearing in other Astons. The V12 Vantage keeps things relatively simple: there are none of the adaptive dampers of the DBS, no transmission choices, not a lot that’s menu-driven.