A new limited-edition version of the Aston Martin Vantage has been revealed. It features a seven-speed manual gearbox designed to offer “the involvement and driver engagement that only a manual can offer”.
Dubbed Vantage AMR (for Aston Martin Racing), it doesn’t offer any more power than the standard car. Instead, improved performance comes from reducing overall weight by almost 100kg.
The Vantage AMR uses the same 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine as the regular Vantage models. Peak power remains at 510hp but torque is slightly lower though at 625Nm, compared with 684Nm in a standard Vantage. Top speed remains at 195mph.
Ditching the quick-shifting automatic transmission means the zero to 60mph sprint takes 0.4 seconds longer in the AMR, at 3.9 seconds.
Vantage AMR brings back the manual gearbox
The manual gearbox features a dog-leg set-up, where first gear is down and to the left, inspired by “iconic motorsport setups”. This ensures that the most commonly used gears of second to seventh are in a more traditional H-pattern. It also gets software that can automatically blip the throttle for smooth downshifts.
Aston claims that by removing the automatic transmission and fitting carbon ceramic brakes, the Vantage AMR is 95kg lighter than the standard car.
Andy Palmer, Aston Martin president and chief executive, said: “When I joined this company, customers asked and, as a gearbox engineer and racer, I promised that we would always offer a manual transmission in our line-up.
“The Vantage AMR not only honours that commitment but sets us apart from our competitors in continuing to offer a three-pedal option.”
Just 200 units of the Aston Martin Vantage AMR will be built worldwide, costing £149,995 in the UK. Order books are now open.
