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Yesterday news broke about the Aston Martin V12 Vantage RS concept at the opening of its new design center. Today Aston Martin has released a full press release and more photos of the 600 horsepower car.
Although the car is technically a concept the car could enter production if demand is high enough.
The concept is powered by a race-derived 600 horsepower V12 engine. According to Aston Martin the car can reach 0-62 mph in 4.0 seconds and 100mph in 8.5 seconds.
If the car does enter production it will definitely be priced higher than the DBS.
Related Stories:
Aston Martin 600 Horsepower V12 Vantage Unveiled!
PRESS RELEASE:
Aston Martin Unveils Performance Concept Car
At the official opening of Aston Martin's first ever dedicated design centre in Gaydon, Warwickshire, on Tuesday 11 December, Dr Ulrich Bez, Chief Executive Officer, thrilled an audience of more than seven hundred VIP guests with a surprise unveiling of a stunning new 600bhp performance concept car; the V12 Vantage RS.
The V12 Vantage RS concept is based on Aston Martin's critically acclaimed V8 Vantage coupe, but the company's design and engineering team have fully exploited the design flexibility of their unique VH architecture and the motor sport development of their 6.0 litre V12 engine to create a dramatic and production feasible concept car focussed on extreme performance and dynamics.
In a speech to the assembled guests, Ulrich Bez said: "Over the last five years, we have established a reputation for presenting fully functional, feasible concept cars, and the V12 Vantage RS is no exception. We will listen with interest to feedback on this concept and, as ever, if there is sufficient demand then we will seriously consider a low volume production run in the near future with a price that will reflect the exclusivity of the car.
"With our dedicated production facilities, our own engine plant, our own unique vehicle architecture and now a dedicated design studio, we have the ideal framework to bring new models such as this to market and to further establish Aston Martin as the ultimate independent luxury sports car company."
Although the 600bhp power output of the V12 Vantage RS concept will be the focus of attention, just as significant is the level of weight reduction achieved by Aston Martin's engineering team. With a kerb weight of less than 1600kg, the RS concept underlines Aston Martin's continued commitment to intelligent use of materials and weight reduction as a means of achieving improved efficiency and performance. In common with the recently launched DBS, the bonnet and trunk lid are moulded in carbon fibre and the concept also adopts motor sport-inspired carbon ceramic brake discs.
The subtly aggressive exterior appearance is driven by function. The dramatic bonnet louvres extract air from the fully ducted cooling pack and the trunk lid features a deployable spoiler that rises automatically at high speeds to increase rear down force. The front bumper features cooling ducts for the carbon ceramic brakes and a carbon fibre splitter to balance down force.
Director of Design, Marek Reichman, commented: "Much of Aston Martin's recent success has come from the ability of our designers and engineers to work hand-in-hand to optimise form and function. Our new dedicated design centre will take this process to a new level and I am delighted that the V12 Vantage RS is the first car to stand on the turntable in the studio."
The 600bhp 6.0 litre engine featured in the V12 Vantage RS concept has benefited directly from the race development of this acclaimed power unit. It features a dry sump lubrication system, tuned length exhaust manifolds, forged pistons and steel con-rods, revised lift and duration camshafts and modified cylinder heads. Peak power is achieved at 6250rpm and peak torque of 690Nm is at 5000rpm.
With a power-to-weight ratio of over 375bhp per ton, the V12 Vantage RS concept is the fastest accelerating road car ever built by the company, capable of reaching 62mph (100km/h) from rest in 4.0 seconds and 100mph (160km/h) in just 8.5 seconds.
The unveiling of the Aston Martin V12 Vantage RS concept concludes a remarkable year of new product announcements for the British manufacturer. In the last twelve months the company has launched two of the most eagerly anticipated sports cars of the year – the DBS and Vantage Roadster – and announced details of the DB9 LM and V8 Vantage N400 special editions which celebrate the company's racing successes at Le Mans and the Nϋrburgring. All of these models now join the award-winning V8 Vantage, DB9 and DB9 Volante models in production at the company's Gaydon headquarters.

Comments (13)
Ugggh. Looks like an old school Celica except for the big fish guppy-mouth air intake.
Don't get me wrong, I love Aston Martin's but this one's aesthetics needs to go back to the drawing board.
Posted by Al Frick | December 12, 2007 7:20 PM
Posted on December 12, 2007 19:20
That is one hot guppy
Posted by Krazeee | December 12, 2007 7:30 PM
Posted on December 12, 2007 19:30
I'm a big domestic car guy, but I think that thing is amazing looking.
Posted by Spikke | December 12, 2007 9:23 PM
Posted on December 12, 2007 21:23
I'll take mine in British Racing Green please....what I have to wake up now....that's not fair....oh the humanity........
Posted by longdxcommuter | December 12, 2007 9:47 PM
Posted on December 12, 2007 21:47
They should just call it Aston Martin Eroica
Posted by Ian Spitzig | December 12, 2007 10:35 PM
Posted on December 12, 2007 22:35
They should just call it Aston Martin Eroica
Posted by Ian Spitzig | December 12, 2007 10:36 PM
Posted on December 12, 2007 22:36
Al Frick:
I have do disagree with you on all your points. Sexy and mature, ok the CF is little overboard.
Posted by RX-7 Guy | December 12, 2007 10:50 PM
Posted on December 12, 2007 22:50
The sad part is that now everyone who pre-ordered a DBS won't be getting nearly as much "fun-time" with European fashion models as the people who order this. If I was a DBS owner-to-be, I'd grab all that I could now, then save up and get this too!
You know when you can ask for repeat customers? When your new cars are this good looking.
That said, I do agree its just a little long in some of the lines.
Posted by Allen | December 12, 2007 11:29 PM
Posted on December 12, 2007 23:29
I'd take the DBS over this in a heartbeat. Sure, it doesn't have a V12, but its still a hell of a car and doesn't have that ridiculous suede everywhere interior. Reminds me of the fur covered van in "Dumb and Dumber". I'd much rather have the DBS's sexy leather wrapped and stitched dash and seats.
Posted by Mike | December 13, 2007 9:57 AM
Posted on December 13, 2007 09:57
I'm ok with the exterior, but the interior looks stupid. All that silly alcantra everywhere. Alcantra is trendy. It looks good on seats, but the whole car? Ridiculous...
Carbon fiber front lip spoilers are the stupidest idea. It's very very low on the car, so it doesn't make a difference in top-heaviness. Everyone pulls up on curbs or hits them leaving gas-stations. I bet that one costs $5000 too.
Posted by wayne | December 13, 2007 10:07 AM
Posted on December 13, 2007 10:07
Oh c'mon. Don't you guys think it looks too much like a Toyota Celica or a Ford Mustang? I'm speaking about looks completely. (I'm sure it'll kick the crud out of them performance-wise.) Aston Martins have always been understated but this one looks like a Japanese import, not a supercar.
Posted by Alan Frick | December 13, 2007 10:59 AM
Posted on December 13, 2007 10:59
I agree with Mike, I'd definately prefer to own a DBS just on the subtle styling differences and IMHO nicer leather interior. This is just a concept car though, so maybe a production one would be better. The fact that a DBS would probably be much cheaper too is a bonus. I know this car is more powerful, but I think a DBS probably already has more than enough for me.
Looking at it, I'd say this car is probably more intended for the track-racing market (think Le Mans) than being used as a road car.
Posted by Niz | December 13, 2007 12:06 PM
Posted on December 13, 2007 12:06
Man that dope is hot i have to rob the bank for that
Posted by coof | December 14, 2007 9:34 AM
Posted on December 14, 2007 09:34