(July 11, 2012) Aston Martin is lifting the lid on an extreme new sports car with the global debut of the V12 Vantage Roadster.

The new sports car, available as a limited edition in selected markets worldwide, immediately becomes the most potent example of the open-top Vantage range and mixes the breath-taking power of Aston Martin’s naturally aspirated 6.0-liter V12 engine with the established thrills of Vantage Roadster driving for what is an unforgettable sports car experience.

The V12 Vantage Roadster’s 6.0-liter engine, mated as in the Coupe to a six-speed manual gearbox, generates 510 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and a muscular 420 pound-feet of torque at 5,750 rpm. It has been intelligently packaged into the Vantage Roadster’s compact form to fully exploit the sports-orientated model’s ample natural agility.



The naturally-aspirated V12 provides high levels of power and torque yet it delivers a flexible, refined driving experience illuminated with the potential for truly electrifying performance. The 0-62 mph sprint is dispatched in just 4.5 seconds while this most potent Aston Martin Roadster is capable of 190 mph.

While the Roadster naturally shares much of the technical and specification features of the V12 Vantage Coupe, some elements are redesigned to take account of the Roadster’s neat packaging and engaging dynamics.

The V12 Vantage Roadster features a redesigned rear trunk lid and lower front air intake to maintain a level of dynamic performance that’s fully in keeping with the V12 Coupe, while there are also a number of unique chassis revisions. These include a modified rear damper set-up, front and rear damper valve tuning and a new rear spring design.

These changes, in conjunction with Aston Martin’s use of Pirelli P Zero Corsa tires, ensure the sports car delivers dramatic straight-line performance as well as outstanding handling.

Styled to be as beautiful as it is potent, the new Roadster boasts a number of eye-catching additions that underline its sporty characteristics. Carbon fibre side strakes; a carbon fibre front splitter and rear diffuser; carbon fibre mirror caps and carbon fibre rear lamp infills — plus the new forged alloy wheel design — should leave the sports car cognoscenti in no doubt that this is a truly exclusive Aston Martin.

At the rear, the trunk lid on the V12 Vantage Roadster incorporates a more pronounced ‘flip’ to reduce rear lift and improve stability at high speeds. The V12’s diffuser houses a large, centre-mounted oil cooler and two large tail-pipe finishers.

As with the front splitter, the carbon fibre rear diffuser is hand-made to ensure the direction and consistency of the weave and ensure the best possible finish.

Inside, there are other distinguishing features that make the new car stand out from its illustrious siblings in the sought-after Aston Martin V8 Vantage and V12 Vantage line-up. Subtle additions such as the use of glass switches in the lower center stack elevate yet further the luxurious ambience in the V12 Vantage Roadster cabin.

Expect the V12 Vantage Roadster to start around $235,000 in the U.S.