Vantage AMR is a limited edition of 200 units
Aston Martin Vantage has been given an extra dose of excitement with the addition of a manual transmission. The result is a limited edition named Vantage AMR.
The heart of Vantage AMR remains Aston Martin’s new alloy, 4-litre twin-turbo V8 engine. Set low and as far back in the chassis as possible for optimal centre-of-gravity and near perfect 50:50 weight distribution, this high performance engine develops 510 PS at 6000 rpm and 625 Nm from 2000-5000 rpm, propelling Vantage AMR from 0-60mph in 3.9 seconds and 0-62mph in 4.0 seconds. As with the existing Vantage model, top speed is met at 195 mph.
Vantage AMR is equipped with a motorsport-inspired 7-speed transmission developed by Graziano, featuring a ‘dog-leg’ first gear. Inside, the driver is presented with the opportunity to deliver each gear via a hand-stitched leather-clad gearstick.
Second to seventh gears – those that will be used most frequently when on the move – are positioned in a traditional double H-pattern configuration. Vantage AMR’s transmission is mated to a limited-slip differential, tuned and calibrated by Aston Martin’s leading dynamics team, headed by Chief Engineer Matt Becker, from the team’s base at Silverstone Race Circuit.
Vantage AMR’s manual transmission also features AMSHIFT. The system, which is driver selectable, uses clutch, gear position and prop shaft sensors, together with finely-tuned engine management program to mimic the technique of heel-and-toe downshifts; the act of blipping the throttle while braking and changing gear to allow smoother deceleration and cornering as a result. AMSHIFT also offers the capability of full-throttle upshifts for maximum smoothness and minimal interruption in acceleration.
Removing the automatic transmission and including carbon ceramic brakes as standard also helped the Vantage to lose 95 kg of weight.
Limited to 200-units, Vantage AMR is available in five designer specifications. 141 of those 200 will be available in either Sabiro Blue, Onyx Black, China Grey or White Stone. In contrast, the final 59 will be crafted in celebration of the 60th anniversary since Aston Martin’s triumphant 1959 24 Hours of Le Mans victory with DBR1. Named “Vantage 59”, this fixed specification features a Stirling Green and Lime exterior paint scheme and Dark Knight leather and alcantara interior, finished with a signature AMR lime stripe and stitch. Priced at £164,995 in the UK, €209,995 in Germany and $204,995 in the USA, this package is available on a first-come-first-serve basis to customers worldwide.
Aston Martin Vantage AMR is on sale now with a recommended retail price from £149,995 in the UK, €184,995 in Germany and $179,995 in the USA. Vantage will continue to feature a manual gearbox as an option from Q1 2020, following the sale of all 200 Vantage AMR models. Deliveries of Vantage AMR are scheduled to begin during the final quarter of 2019.