The Aston Martin Vantage's V12 engine has been slid into the car's compact body, so as not to disturb its perfect proportions. While the car's external dimensions are the same as the previous model, the internals of the car from the suspension towers forward have been revamped in order to house the engine, brake coolers and twin intakes.
The engine was built at the Gaydon headquarters of Aston Martin, and all are handcrafted in Cologne, Germany. To achieve its monstrous power, the engine has a number of upgrades form that of the DB9- such as an air intake port that only opens when RPMs exceed 5500, a new induction unit and air inlets that force more air into the combustion chambers.
The 6.0L powerplant produces 510hp and 420 lb. ft. of torque, giving the Vantage's driver adequate power and torque at all engine speeds. The car also has a "Sport" button, which allows the driver to shift between two different modes for the powertrain. "Normal" mode offers a more gentle throttle response, ideal for everyday driving. "Sport" mode gives a sharper response, along with a more robust exhaust note.
Although the engine weighs about fifty pounds more than the standard car engine, use of things like ceramic brakes, aluminum wheels, lighter weight quarter panels and available seating have resulted in a curb weight only 25 lbs. lighter than the V8 model- and nearly perfect weight distribution.
The only transmission option is a six-speed manual; the drive ratio allows the Vantage to fully utilize the high torque provided by the engine. For a supercar with such a great racing heritage, the Vantage provides surprising levels of everyday practicality.