Aston Martin debuts Vantage F1 Edition, here Q4

TO CELEBRATE its return to the Formula 1 grid and appointment as the 2021 safety car provider, Aston Martin has revealed its most focused and hardcore production Vantage to date, in the form of the F1 Edition.

Due to arrive in Australia during the fourth quarter of this year, Aston Martin’s simple objective for the F1 Edition was to “significantly improve lap time performance” of the current generation Vantage.

To achieve this mission, engineers set about tweaking the Vantage’s AMG-sourced twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8, boosting power by 18kW to 393kW and broadening the torque band, although the peak Newton-metre count is still 685.

As with the standard car, power is sent to the rear wheels via a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission, the F1 Edition having a unique software map to facilitate sharper and more intuitive gear changes during spirited driving.

Despite the extra grunt and faster shift times, the F1 Edition retains the standard Vantage’s 3.6-second 0-100km/h time as well as its 314km/h top speed. 

More than just a powertrain upgrade, the new flagship also scores a series of chassis upgrades to help up the handling stakes and make it as agile as possible without sacrificing on-road manners.

Reworked damper internals, increased rear spring rates and an upgraded power steering system lead the charge here, while some extra underbody bracing increases body rigidity.

Further aiding handling is an aggressive new aero kit – front splitter, canards, underbody turning vanes and a fixed rear wing – which Aston Martin claims generates an extra 200kg of downforce at top speed.

If the not-so-subtle aero features fail to give away the F1 Edition’s identity, then its unique gloss- or satin-finish ‘Aston Martin Racing Green’ paint scheme will, especially in conjunction with the matte grey body decals.

Other options comprise ‘Jet Black’ and ‘Lunar White’ that are also available in either gloss or satin finishes.

Other unique styling cues include a veined grille, carbon-fibre exterior trim, quad exhaust tips and exclusive alloy wheels.

Whereas the standard Vantages roll on 20-inch alloys, the F1 Edition will come as standard with exclusive 21-inch units wrapped in bespoke Pirelli P-Zero rubber.

A similar workover has been made to the F1 Edition’s interior, launching with a new ‘Obsidian Black’ leather and ‘Phantom Grey’ Alcantara upholstery mix and the choice of ‘Lime Green’, ‘Obsidian Black’, ‘Wolf Grey’ or ‘Spicy Red’ contrast highlights and stitching.  

Local pricing and specification are yet to be announced, but most of the F1 Edition’s standard equipment is expected to match tthat of he regular Vantag, which includes an 8.0-inch touchscreen with iPhone integration, digital radio and satellite navigation, sports seats and dual-zone climate control.

According to Aston Martin chief executive Tobias Moers, performance is at the heart of every model made by the brand, but an F1-badged example has to be “truly exceptional”.

“Vantage was already the most focused sports car in our range but in the development of our Official Safety Car of Formula 1, it had to be a true athlete: more powerful; more agile; more immediate and more exciting to drive,” he said.

“I set the engineering team a tough target, as I was insistent that gains in performance came via genuine improvements in the car’s dynamics, and not by fitting track-optimised tyres.  

“The results speak for themselves.  A Vantage to appeal to the most discerning drivers and a new model that marks an exciting moment in Aston Martin’s history”.

The Vantage F1 Edition will be available in both coupe and roadster guises when it touches down locally towards the end of the year and while the local pricing is yet to be confirmed – local enquires are now being taken – the flagship coupe carries a starting price of £142,000 ($A254,403) in its UK home market.

Aston Martin sales are up 44.4 per cent so far this year ending February with the British marque having delivered 26 new vehicles compared to the 18 it managed over the same period last year.