(May 8, 2010) In response to unprecedented customer demand, Aston Martin has confirmed that the V12 Vantage — the most potent production sports car in the marque’s 96-year history — will be made available in North and South America from later this year.

Based on the hugely successful V8 Vantage, the V12 Vantage features a 6.0-liter  V12 engine producing 510 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque with a top speed of 190 mph and a 0-62 mph time of 4.2 seconds.

Originally launched in 2009, the V12 Vantage has quickly established itself as a firm favorite with enthusiasts and media observers alike, winning a series of accolades and praise around the world and proving a huge sales success for the British marque.

Aston Martin Chief Executive Officer, Dr Ulrich Bez said: “This is the ultimate performance interpretation of the Vantage range, combining our most agile model with our most powerful engine. It represents the definitive Aston Martin driving experience; providing spectacular performance to ensure a dynamically thrilling drive in a highly exclusive package.”

Although the originally small anticipated level of demand from the Americas meant that the car would not be offered for the market, unprecedented demand from customers prompted an engineering study into potential feasibility; with the strict brief that any changes could not impact on the overall design of the car. Now just six months later, a series of engineering refinements have been introduced to satisfy the specific requirements of the American market.

Estimated cost of a Vantage V-12 — $250,000.