The manny tranny will become an option for the standard Vantage as well.
The current Aston Martin Vantage has all kinds of things going for it. New for 2018, the GT car pretty much dropped all jaws with its stunning looks and 503-horsepower (375-kilowatt) AMG-sourced 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8, converting dead dinosaurs into prolific acceleration through an eight-speed automatic. Though impressive, the self-shifting ZF gearbox could be the Aston’s only real downer in the eye of performance purists. But now that’s remedied with this, the new manually-shifted Vantage AMR.
Yes, the manual transmission lives on, taking the form of a seven-speed gearbox with a dog-leg first gear. That leaves gears two through seven – the cogs which Aston Martin says will be used most – lined up in a neat double H-pattern arrangement. The AMR further enhances the hands-on gearbox with a driver-selectable AMSHIFT system that will blip the throttle on downshifts like a heel-toe master. On the flip side, the system will also allow full-throttle, no-lift upshifts for maximum acceleration. A new limited-slip differential further helps the Vantage AMR make better use of its power.
Speaking of which, horsepower from the 4.0-liter V8 is unchanged but the engine is tuned to create 461 pound-feet (625 Newton meters) of torque across a wide power band from 2000 to 5000 RPM. There is also less weight for those ponies to handle – Aston Martin says ditching the automatic and adding standard-issue carbon ceramic brakes shaved a hefty 209 pounds (95 kilograms) from the AMR. A new adaptive damping system with Sport, Sport +, and Track modes helps the AMR deal with corners as well.
Curiously, it’s interesting to note that Aston’s published 0-60 time of 3.9 seconds is nearly a half-second slower than the standard Vantage, despite the weight loss. Chalk that up to the extra time needed to work three pedals and a gear lever, but we bet the smiles are bigger behind the wheel of the AMR despite the slight acceleration disadvantage. Top speed for the AMR is equal to the standard Vantage at 195 mph.
Here’s the bad news. Aston Martin will only build 200 Vantage AMR models worldwide. Most will be available in Sabiro Blue, Pnyx Black, China Grey, or White Stone, but the final 59 will wear a special Stirling Green finish with Lime accents. These cars will be known as the Vantage 59 and pay homage to Aston Martin’s 1959 victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
We can’t end this on a sour note, so here’s a bit of very good news. Once all 200 Vantage AMR models are sold, the seven-speed manual transmission will be offered as an option for the standard model starting next year.
The Aston Martin Vantage AMR is on sale now with prices in the U.S. starting at $184,995. Those seeking the Vantage 59 will obviously need to act fast and also pony up $209,995. Deliveries are expected to begin late this year.
Source: Aston Martin
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VANTAGE AMR: PURE, ENGAGING, MANUAL PERFORMANCE
- Vantage AMR delivers ultimate driving experience for customers
- Seven-speed manual transmission inspired by iconic motorsport setups
- Maximum speed 195mph*. 0-60mph in 3.9 seconds*
- 95kg lighter than standard Vantage
- Limited to 200 units worldwide with 59 units dedicated to ‘Vantage 59’ specification
- Powered by 4.0-litre, 510PS/625Nm twin-turbo V8
- Deliveries scheduled to begin Q4 2019
- Available in five Vantage AMR specifications including 1959 24 Hours of Le Mans celebration ‘Vantage 59’ livery
- Launched at penultimate round of 2018/19 FIA World Endurance Championship, the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps
01 May 2019, Spa-Francorchamps: Renowned for delivering one of the most exhilarating driving experiences currently on the market, the Aston Martin Vantage has been given an extra dose of excitement with the addition of a third pedal and manual transmission. The result? Vantage AMR.
Launched today on the penultimate round of the FIA World Endurance Championship Super Season – a world where Aston Martin Racing competes with the Vantage GTE – Vantage AMR fulfils Aston Martin’s promise to deliver a product with the involvement and driver engagement that only a manual can offer.
The heart of Vantage AMR remains Aston Martin’s potent 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, high efficiency engine develops 510PS at 6000rpm and 625Nm from 2000-5000rpm, 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*. However, while performance is still at the forefront of all Vantage models, its delivery in the Vantage AMR is very different.
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 with both precision and finesse 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. To ensure a more rewarding and engaging experience expected of a manual, 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 not only creates a purer driver experience, but also assists in removing 95kg of weight. Known for its handling prowess already, Vantage AMR pushes the boundaries further and continues to exploit Aston Martin’s latest adaptive damping system incorporating Skyhook technology – with Sport, Sport + and Track modes – to ensure the car’s character can be tuned to the driver’s preference or road conditions.
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 $209,995 in the USA, this package is available on a first-come-first-serve basis to customers worldwide.
Speaking of Vantage AMR, Andy Palmer President and Group CEO, Aston Martin Lagonda said, “When I joined this company, customers asked and, as a gearbox engineer and racer, I promised that we would always offer a manual transmission in our line-up. The Vantage AMR not only honours that commitment but sets us apart from our competitors in continuing to offer a three-pedal option. In a world of autonomous robo-taxis, Aston Martin will continue to advance the art and science of performance driving. With the Vantage AMR, we have created a thoroughly modern sports car that rewards effort and focus from the driver; the antidote to driving a computer game. With the Vantage GTE set to race again at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June, I hope that those customers who are lucky enough to take ownership of a Vantage 59, will have even more reason to celebrate with their new car”.
Vantage AMR is on sale now with a recommended retail price from £149,995 in the UK, €184,995 in Germany and $184,995 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.
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