To make the gorgeous DB7 more exclusive, Aston Martin launched the V12 Vantage option at the 1999 Detroit Motor Show. Compared the the standard inline-6, the V12 had much more performance potential with only a 122 lb weight gain.
At the time the 5935cc engine was all new and could produce 420 bhp in standard form. Since Aston was owned by Ford at the time, the engine was developed by Aston Martin, Ford Research and Cosworth Engineering. It used an aluminum alloy black and cylinder heads. To fit the unit, major changes were made the front structure of the car to make it more rigid. The suspension was also firmed up to underline the car’s performance potential.
In conjunction with the new engine, Aston slightly restyled the DB7 to include new new sills, an englarged grill and front fog lights. Ian Callum said “It was obvious the car had more power so the car had to also look more powerful. But I was very reluctant to change anything about the car because I thought it was perfect the way it was.” He went on to say “I love the front. The spotlights were directly from the DBR1 racing cars; it was something very Aston Martin that I could relate to, so that’s the idea behind it. Because it had to have a bigger cooling area the front got lower and more dramatic but from the rear I had my reservations about some things.”1
Sources & Further Reading
1.Dowsey, David. Aston Martin: Power, Beauty and Soul. Peleus Press: 2007
Since the cost of the Vantage model wasn’t that great over the standard model, it quickly became the best selling Aston Martin of all time.
In Detail
| submitted by | Richard Owen |
| type | Series Production Car |
| built at | England |
| body stylist | Ian Callum |
| engine | 60º V12 |
| position | Front, Longitudinal |
| block material | Aluminum Alloy |
| valvetrain | DOHC 4 Valves / Cyl |
| displacement | 5935 cc / 362.2 in³ |
| compression | 10.3:1 |
| power | 313.2 kw / 420.0 bhp @ 6000 rpm |
| specific output | 70.77 bhp per litre |
| bhp/weight | 235.96 bhp per tonne |
| torque | 540 nm / 398.3 ft lbs @ 5000 rpm |
| body / frame | Semi-Monocoque Steel body ober Steel Tub-Chassis |
| driven wheels | RWD w/LSD |
| wheel type | Alloy |
| front tires | 245/40ZR18 Bridgestone S02 |
| rear tires | 265/35ZR18 Bridgestone S02 |
| front brakes | Ventilated & Cross-Drilled Discs w/Aluminum 4-Piston Calipers, ABS |
| rear brakes | Ventilated & Cross-Drilled Discs w/Aluminum 4-Piston Calipers, ABS |
| front wheels | F 45.7 x 20.3 cm / 18.0 x 8.0 in |
| rear wheels | R 45.7 x 22.9 cm / 18.0 x 9.0 in |
| steering | Rack & Pinion w/Power Assist |
| f suspension | Double Wishbones w/Coil Springs, Monotube Dampers, Anti-Roll Bar |
| r suspension | Double Wishbones w/Longitudinal Arms, Coil Springs, Monotube Dampers, Anti-Roll Bar |
| curb weight | 1780 kg / 3924 lbs |
| wheelbase | 2591 mm / 102.0 in |
| length | 4666 mm / 183.7 in |
| width | 1830 mm / 72.0 in |
| height | 1238 mm / 48.7 in |
| transmission | Getrag 6-Speed Manual or GM Five-Speed Automatic |
| final drive | 3.77:1 |
| top speed | ~265.49 kph / 165 mph |
| 0 – 60 mph | ~5.5 seconds |
Auction Sales History
2000 Aston Martin DB7 V12 Vantage Coupé –
his right-hand drive DB7 Vantage has covered only some 53,000 miles from new and comes with full main dealer service history up to 50,957 miles, there being no fewer than 14 stamps in the service booklet. The car comes complete with all the usual ‘extras’ plus a premium CD sound system, radio booster and vehicle tracker. Finished in Chiltern Green with cream leather interior, the car is described as mechanically and cosmetically in superb order, and is offered with the aforementioned service history, current road fund licence, MoT to April 2011 and Swansea V5C document. A garage cover, spare wheel and Aston Martin battery charger are includedAuction Source: 2010 Collectors’ Motor Cars at Goodwood Revival by Bonhams
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