Aston Martin has barely launched the V12 Vantage, yet is already prepping the open-top version. It seems every car in the Aston range is getting a convertible variant, after the slightly surprising unveil of the DBS Volante a couple of months ago.
The equally hardcore V12 Vantage will soon be available as a Roadster, and engine-wise will be identical to the coupe. Incidentally, that means the same powerplant as the Aston Martin DBS – a 5.9-litre V12 with a particularly potent 510bhp and 420lb ft of torque. In the hardtop car, that’ll see you to 60mph in 4.2sec and onto a 190mph maximum. Expect the chopping of the roof and ensuing chassis stiffening to raise and lower these figures respectively, although not by much. Sub-4.5sec and over 180mph will still be comfortably met.
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Only 1000 V12 Vantage coupes are being made, and it’s likely the Roadster will match this, or perhaps be even more exclusive. It shouldn’t be a poor relation, though, the V8 Vantage Roadster being one of the most successful chop-top performance cars, losing little compared to the hardtop.
The V12 Vantage coupe is available to order now and costs £135,000. Don’t expect much change from £150K if you fancy one as a Roadster, although the premium may well be worth it when you’ve knocked back the roof before hoofing the V12 that sits in front of you…
