2023 Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster First Look Review: Lifting The Lid On Excellence
As the ultra-luxury sports car segment continues to feature farewells to powerhouse engines in the impending tsunami of electric power, Aston Martin has finally unveiled the highly-anticipated 2023 V12 Vantage Roadster. The last time we had an exclusive V12 Vantage Roadster was nearly a decade ago, and that 12-cylinder made 'just' 510 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque.
Now we have the first Vantage Roadster to feature the 5.2-liter twin-turbo V12 we know from the Vantage Coupe, which is good for 690 hp and 555 lb-ft - making this the most powerful Vantage Roadster to date. With a closed order book, the latest exquisitely sculpted Aston Roadster will provide 249 lucky owners with the sensory overload of a V12 howl, a roof-down experience, and breathtaking performance. As the automaker noted, the V12 Vantage Roadster is akin to a living, breathing, driving work of art - and we couldn't agree more.
When Is The Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster Coming Out?
As one of the best cars unveiled at Monterey Car Week - although this year there were many that fit into that category - the ultra-exclusive Aston Martin V12 Roadster's release date is set for the end of 2022.
Deliveries are scheduled to start in the final quarter of the year, although all units have already been sold ahead of the Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster's launch.
2023 Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster Price And Competition
While there is no official word on the price of the 2023 Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster, and given it's considered the flagship of the Vantage range, we expect it to be even more expensive than its V12 Coupe sibling. Before you get excited, though, all 249 models are spoken for already.
With a range of options and unique customization potential through Q by Aston Martin, we'd hardly bat an eyelid if the cost breached the $350k mark. Enthusiasts and collectors will certainly deem this a worthy investment, however, if you believe the automaker's claim that this is truly the final iteration of the V12 engine in an Aston Martin Vantage body.
With an equally eye-watering price tag, the Ferrari 296 GTS is another exotic convertible you could consider - it comes with hybrid assistance for loads more power, however, for similar money. If all of that is just too much, but you still want a looker with a drop-top, the Porsche 911 Turbo S Convertible is a cheaper alternative, albeit with far less character.
New Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster Exterior And Colors
Waxing lyrical about how an Aston Martin looks is an easy task, and the superb merging of fierce aggression and graceful elegance culminates in the V12 Vantage Roadster. Despite the widebody design and all the assertive elements added to make it look even more potent, it hasn't diminished the sheer beauty we're accustomed to.
Weight saving in the design was paramount, and carbon fiber has been used generously for the front bumper, clamshell hood, front fenders, and side sills. At the front, a full-width front splitter underscores the reshaped grille, which is 25% larger than on the regular Vantage Roadster, and - together with the horseshoe-shaped engine vent in the hood - also aids in keeping things cool.
The rear bumper and deck lid comprise a lightweight composite material that shaves off even more pounds. Staying with that shapely rear, a center-mounted exhaust with twin tips is prominent - and, as it's made of ultra-thin stainless steel, is almost 16 lbs lighter than the regular Vantage Roadster's exhaust. The twin pipes ensure you have an unmistakable soundtrack on your journey.
The design is clearly aerodynamically superior, with single-piece sills and an integrated diffuser at the back end to manage it. While there is no standard rear wing as on the V12 Vantage Coupe, it is available as an option. Aston Martin makes it clear that not optioning the wing won't negatively impact aerodynamics, however, thanks to clever underbody airflow management.
The V12 Vantage Roadster rides on 21-inch wheels that are available in two finishes, either Satin Black or Satin Black Diamond Turned. Buyers can also spec a lightweight forged-wheel option in either finish for a further weight-saving of 17.6 lbs. Regardless, the wheels are wrapped in Michelin Pilot 4S high-performance rubber.
For exterior colors that highlight the Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster's shapely body, there's a ton to choose from and even more livery options to enhance it - from pinstripes to exterior graphics, the options are endless. Furthermore, Q by Aston Martin offers a range of tinted lacquers that highlight the hand-laid carbon fiber panels beautifully and show up various highlights under different lighting conditions. The Z-fold soft-top is standard in black.
Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster Dimensions
Much like its tin-top sibling, the new Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster convertible is a hefty vehicle, despite all the attempts made to keep weight down. All the carbon fiber bits and bobs and a lightweight battery and exhaust system still see the convertible tip the scales at around 4,090 pounds - around 130-odd lbs more than the Coupe.
Key dimensions for the Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster include a length of 177.7 inches, a width of 78 inches, and a height of 50.2 inches. Its widebody design makes it wider than the regular Vantage by 1.6 inches.
Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster Engine And Performance
Stunning good looks are not the primary focus of the V12 Vantage Roadster - the engine is, since this is ostensibly the last time we'll see a 12-cylinder in a car bearing the Vantage name. The engine in question is a quad-cam 60-degree 5.2-liter twin-turbo V12 that makes 690 hp at 6,500 rpm and 555 lb-ft at 5,500 rpm. Outputs are sent to the rear wheels via a ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic transmission and a limited-slip rear differential.
In terms of outright performance, the Roadster sprints to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds and cruises on to a 200-mph top speed. A power-to-weight ratio of 367 hp/ton makes this possible, and an available aerodynamic package adds up to 476 lbs of downforce - ten times more than the standard Vantage Roadster manages.
But brute force isn't the only party trick, and with wide-track suspension, ground-hugging bodywork, and a suspension tuned specifically for the adaptive dampers, the V12 Roadster has precise handling. This is complemented by steering that has been calibrated to driver engagement and adaptive software in the transmission control system to keep track of operating conditions and pre-empt driver demands.
Stopping power is courtesy of carbon ceramic brakes with 16.1-inch discs and six-piston calipers up front and 14.2-inch discs with four-piston calipers at the back.
Gas Mileage
There aren't any official gas mileage ratings just yet, and we're not entirely convinced it's relevant when you're buying a car like this, but if the V12 Vantage's ratings are anything to go by, it's not economical in the slightest. The V12 Vantage gets 14/22/16 mpg on city/highway/combined cycles according to the EPA, and since the V12 Vantage Roadster is a little heavier, we would expect figures slightly worse than this, even.
The V12 Vantage Roadster comes with a 19.3-gallon fuel tank.
Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster Interior And Cargo
It wouldn't be an Aston if it didn't have a plush cabin, and the V12 Vantage Roadster's interior ticks that box, too. Both perches are the brand's Sports Plus Seats upholstered in full semi-aniline leather with the same 'Wings' quilted perforation pattern found in the Coupe. Performance seats with an exposed twill carbon fiber shell are available optionally if you want the ultimate in support when you're carving up those corners (naturally, these also save around 16 lbs of weight).
Alcantara and semi-aniline upholstery are available in mono- or duotone schemes, and there's ample customization potential - from stitching, trim inlay, and interior jewelry to the color of the seatbelts, few Roadsters will look the same. And with bespoke personalization via Q by Aston Martin to consider, we're sure all the spoken-for Roadsters will be unique.
Features inside the cabin include such comforts as heated seats, a surround-view camera, and an eight-inch LCD screen derived from the outdated Mercedes COMAND system with an Aston Martin audio setup.
In terms of cargo space, don't expect too much. There is a closed stowage area and a bin under the armrest - and even two cupholders - but if you open the trunk, there's not much space. A strut brace spans the width of the cargo area, but there's still just over seven cubic feet of cargo space in the V12 Vantage Roadster.