There’s always been rumors the new V12 Vantage would one day be available as a convertible, and now we have the proof. We spied the Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster sitting quietly in a parking lot yesterday, but today those twelve-cylinders are roaring as the Vantage takes to the Nurburgring circuit.

Like its fixed-roof counterpart, the V12 Vantage Roadster will be powered by a 6.0L V12. That engine produces 510 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque in the coupe, and we expect similar figures for the convertible. However, due to the extra weight associated with convertibles, look for the V12 Vantage Roadster’s 0-60 time to be just a few ticks off from the coupe’s run of 4.2 seconds.

The V12 Vantage Roadster will likely be offered exclusively with a six-speed manual, sending power to the rear-wheels through a 3.71:1 final drive ratio. Although numerically lower than the standard car’s 3.909:1 final ratio, the 6.0L V12 has more than enough grunt to make up for the difference, with the revised gearing allowing for a top speed near 190 mph.

Many high-performance features will likely make the jump from the Coupe to the Roadster, including ‘Normal’ and ‘Sport’ modes for the powertrain, Dynamic Stability Control, the extensive use of lightweight materials and carbon-ceramic disc brakes.

The V12 Vantage Roadster could make an appearance as early as September’s Frankfurt Motor Show, but don’t expect to see many on the road – production will likely be kept to under 500 examples.

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