Aston Martin has dropped the top on its V12 Vantage, but getting your hands on the new Roadster is going to be tough.
Just 249 will be built, and they’re all spoken for. Deliveries kick off in the fourth quarter of 2022; CarExpert has confirmed it was available to Australians but Aston Martin hasn’t said if any are headed Down Under.
Like the V12 coupe, the Roadster is powered by a 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12 engine making 515kW of power and 753Nm of torque. Aston Martin says it “combines effortless in-gear response with epic acceleration”, and claims the 100km/h sprint takes 3.5 seconds.
It’s mated to an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission, and there’s a mechanical limited-slip differential on the rear axle.
The engine breathes through a stainless steel exhaust with twin, centre exits, nestled within a diffuser lifted from the V12 Vantage coupe. The new exhaust system is 7.2kg lighter than that in the V8.
Under the skin, the V12 Roadster features a 40mm wider track than the V8. The steering has been retuned in line with the coupe, while the functional aerodynamics and cooling body changes from the coupe have carried over to the V12 Roadster.
As standard the car rides on 21-inch wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres, but lighter forged wheels are also being offered as an option.
Carbon ceramic brakes are standard, measuring 410mm x 38mm up front and 360mm x 32mm. They’re clamped by four-piston calipers, and save 23kg in unsprung mass compared to the standard steel units.
Inside, the flagship Vantage features semi-aniline leather trim with fancy ‘wing’ quilting and perforations as standard. Carbon seats with manual six-way adjustment are optional.
Buyers will be able to customise their cars extensively using the Q by Aston Martin bespoke service.
The Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster will be on show at Monterey Car Week alongside the AMR22, a bespoke speedster.
