And the 7MT will join the options list in 2020.
Hallowed British performance marque Aston Martin have revealed their all new Vantage AMR, a limited-run variant of its new Vantage that offers a very special treat for only the keenest drivers and collectors out there. This 200-unit run of special cars not only feature a bunch of aesthetic changes that not only mark it out visually but also reduce weight, it also comes with an increasingly rare feature for a modern sports car: A manual transmission.
Power comes from the very familiar (and entirely welcomed) 4.0-litre V8 biturbo engine, sourced from AMG, putting out a healthy 375kW and 625Nm, with power going to the rear wheels via that all-new 7-speed dog-leg manual. That DIY transmission is the work of Graziano, and it’s been paired up to a limited-slip differential, and features AMSHIFT technology. AMSHIFT essentially is a rev-matching system that mimics heel-toe downshifts, ensuring smoother deceleration as well as full-throttle upshifts, minimising the interruption of forward progress.
By removing the automatic transmission that the Vantage was introduced with, as well as fitting carbon-ceramic brakes as standard, the Vantage AMR is now 95kg lighter than the model on which it’s based. And its sharp dynamics have been honed further by the use of the latest version of Aston’s Skyhook adaptive suspension setup – offering Sport, Sport+, and Track modes – ensuring that you can make full use of your Vantage AMR no matter the situation.
In case you’re wondering, the Vantage AMR can hit 96km/h in just 3.9-seconds, before hitting its top speed of 313km/h in whatever amount of time it takes for you to grow a pair of gentlemen’s balloons large enough to find out.
As said earlier, only 200 Vantage AMRs will be built. Of them, 141 will be available to order in Sabiro Blue, Onyx Black, China Grey, or White Stone. 59 units, the last 59 units, will be christened the ‘Vantage 59’ series and be decked out in Stirling Green & Lime exterior hues (as seen here) to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Aston Martin’s legendary win at the 1959 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Prices are (wait for it) £149,995 in England, €184,995 in Germany, and $179,995 in the United States. Australian availability or prices have not been detailed. But fret not if you’re upset you won’t get a chance to bag one of these as come Q1 2020, the 7-speed manual will become an available option for the Vantage range, so it’s not all bad news.
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