2012 Aston Martin Cygnet

2012 Aston Martin Cygnet side view

2012 Aston Martin Cygnet rear view

2012 Aston Martin Cygnet interior

2011 Aston Martin DB9

2011 Aston Martin DB9 black and white color

2011 Aston Martin DB9 rear view

2011 Aston Martin DB9 interior

2011 Aston Martin V12 Vantage front view

The Aston Martin V12 Vantage is immediately acknowledged as something special – it isn’t difficult to figure out why. Aston Martin says that nothing on the V12 Vantage was altered simply for cosmetic reasons – all modifications were done to enhance the vehicle’s driving dynamics.

2011 Aston Martin V12 Vantage front view 2

The range-topping V12 Vantage understandably shares platforms with Aston’s least expensive model, the V8 Vantage, but that’s nothing to be ashamed of. Under the aluminium bodywork is a brilliantly engineered all-alloy aluminum monocoque platform (Aston Martin’s recognized “VH architecture”).

2011 Aston Martin V12 Vantage side view

The lightweight bonded framework is both strong and very rigid – an ideal platform for the robust powertrain.The interior is also familiar Vantage, but the V12 receives some special attention. The driver and front passenger drop into leather and Alcantara bucket seats, upholstered for both comfort and holding power.

2011 Aston Martin V12 Vantage rear view

The standard Aston Martin V8 Vantage is fitted with a 32-valve 4.7-liter V8. With 420 horsepower and 346 pound-feet of torque, it scoots to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds. Not too shabby, but each of us can name a handful of much less expensive vehicles that will simply embarrass the V8 Vantage at a light.

2011 Aston Martin V12 Vantage interior

The suspension is again familiar Vantage underpinnings. Up front is an independent double wishbone incorporating anti-dive geometry, coil springs, anti-roll bar and monotube dampers.While increasing the cylinder count boosts horsepower, it also shovels on mass.

2011 Aston Martin V12 Vantage engine

According to Aston Martin, the V12 engine weighs about 220 pounds more than the V8, but thanks to the lightweight construction and componentry

2011 Aston Martin V12 Vantage seats

The price for all of this goodness starts at $176,995. Add in destination charges ($1,615), gas guzzler ($3,000), Bang & Olufsen Audio ($7,200), satellite radio ($1,250), Special paint ($1,895) and a few other goodies, and the bottom line on our car tallied $193,755.

2011 Aston Martin V8 Vantage S front1 view

The Aston Martin Vantage secured its position as the automaker’s sportiest model when it was introduced at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show for the 2006 model year. Like the DB9, the then-new two-door utilized the now common VH Architecture (the chassis is constructed with extruded and bonded aluminum panels).

2011 Aston Martin V8 Vantage S front view

Today, the platform is also shared with the DBS and Rapide.Aston Martin offers its Vantage in a dozen flavors these days, from the entry-level V8 Vantage Coupe ($120,350) to the flagship V12 Vantage Carbon Black ($194,995).

2011 Aston Martin V8 Vantage S rear view

Following on the heels of the limited-edition sport-tuned V8 Vantage N420 models, introduced less than a year ago, are two new models both wearing the automakers coveted ‘S’ badge – the 2011 Vantage S Coupe and 2011 Vantage S Roadster.The Vantage S also boasts a new transmission.

2011 Aston Martin V8 Vantage S rear1 view

The six-speed Sportshift gearbox (a single-clutch automated manual transmission) fitted to the standard Vantage models and the N420 has been superseded by Aston Martin’s all-new seven-speed Sportshift II. While it remains a single-clutch automated manual transmission (rumor has it a dual-clutch unit won’t fit), Sportshift II is 52 pounds lighter than Sportshift I.

2011 Aston Martin V8 Vantage S interior

The braking system delivers more stopping power, thanks to larger 15-inch slotted front rotors with six-piston calipers. While their overall diameter has increased over the standard Vantage, their weight has done just the opposite (credit an innovative two-piece system that uses a lightweight aluminum hub with a durable iron braking surface).

2011 Aston Martin V8 Vantage S engine

Aston Martin is offering the 2011 Vantage S in two body styles. The standard V8 Vantage S Coupe (with mandatory Sportshift transmission), starts with a base price of $138,000. The V8 Vantage S Roadster with a power-operated soft top (also only fitted with Sportshift) will set you back $151,000.

2011 Aston Martin V8 Vantage S side view

2012 Aston Martin Virage front

The new-for-2012 Virage is built on Aston Martin’s “VH” architecture. The lightweight bonded aluminum and composite platform debuted way back in 2004 (under the skin of the DB9), but it’s still an impressively stiff platform. As such, the British automaker makes good use of it.

2012 Aston Martin Virage side view

In addition to the new Virage, it is also used as the backbone of the Vantage, DBS and Rapide (the low volume One-77 is constructed with a full carbon-fiber monocoque chassis).Both the Coupe and Volante pack the same heat in the form of Aston Martin’s familiar hand-assembled 6.0-liter V12 (it’s technically a 5.9-liter, at 5,935 cubic centimeters).

The naturally-aspirated all-alloy 48-valve engine, which is basically two Ford 3.0-liter Duratec V6 engines end-to-end, makes power the old fashioned way, sans direct injection, variable valve timing or variable-length intake manifolds. Regardless, it’s a spinning jewel rated at 490 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque (the same engine is tuned to make 510 horsepower in the DBS and 470 horsepower in the DB9/Rapide).

2012 Aston Martin Virage steering wheel

The engine’s plenum has been painted black to identify its unique “five-pillar design” that reportedly improves sound quality and helps to deliver 85 percent of available torque at only 1,500 rpm.

2012 Aston Martin Virage interior

2012 Aston Martin Virage engine

2012 Aston Martin Virage headlight view

You can now see that the transplant was successful, if largely on the review of the V-8 Vantage front structure. Yet did the Aston Martin to a nearly perfect 51/49-percent from front to rear weight distribution to achieve. The extra mass of the motor, another 200 pounds or so, partly offset by carbon-ceramic brakes and lighter wheels and lighter seats and rear quarter panels. The total weight of the V-12 Vantage, is about 3700 pounds, only about 100 pounds more than the V-8 Vantage.

The extra weight is easily neutralized by the V-12 to 510 hp and 420 Nm torque available at 6500 rpm and 5750 rpm, respectively. The engine is tuned the same as in the larger DBS and propel this relatively small compartment in a different league. We cycled a DBS to 60 km / h in 4.3 seconds, a time publish the same with that of the V-8 Vantage. Aston claims the sprint from 0 km / h in 4.2 seconds in 62 of the V-12 Vantage takes, so we expect them the fastest Aston ever we were there and test the fastest, the One-77 comes on the market . The maximum speed is 190 kmh located from 180 to V-8. But what really makes the difference lies in the incredible flexibility and responsiveness of the engine.