Basic Specs

Base FromTBA
Unveiling Unknown
Availability Late 2010 - Early 2011
Status In Development
Engine 6.0L 510 hp V12
Body Style Convertible
Segment Luxury High-Performance Grand Touring Exotic Sport
Size Midsize
By Mark Kleis
Wednesday, May 13th, 2009 @ 12:15 pm

There’s always been rumors the new V12 Vantage would one day be available as a convertible, and now we have the proof. We first spied the Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster sitting quietly in a parking lot, and to our surprise we found those twelve-cylinders roaring as the Vantage took to the Nurburgring circuit the following day.

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 still hasn’t made its official public debut, but we do expect this Roadster to make an appearance in 2010 – just don’t expect to see many on the road, as production will likely be kept to under 500 examples.

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