Aston Martin has whipped the covers off its new Vantage F1 Edition, conceived to celebrate the British brand’s return to Formula 1 and boasting a little extra power.
Interestingly, this is also the first “core model” to benefit from direct input from Aston Martin’s new CEO (and former Mercedes-AMG boss), Tobias Moers.
Slotting in at the summit of the Vantage range, the new F1 Edition – which will be available in both coupé and roadster body styles – is described as being the “direct result of the engineering” that went into the development of the Vantage safety car.
Like that safety car, the production model’s AMG-sourced twin-turbo 4,0-litre V8 engine has gained an extra 18 kW, taking its peak power to 393 kW. Though maximum torque is unchanged at 685 N.m, the peak figure sustained for longer. The eight-speed automatic transmission, meanwhile, also benefits from some work, with the Gaydon-based firm claiming reduced shift times and increased precision.
What else? Well, Aston’s engineers have made underbody modifications to increase front structural stiffness, while also reworking damper internals to further improve vertical body control “without any deterioration in low-speed compliance”. The chassis also benefits from increased rear spring rate and lateral stiffness.
Aston Martin has upgraded the F1 Edition to 21-inch wheels (up an inch from the standard Vantage) wrapped in special lower-profile rubber from Pirelli. Finally, an aero kit designed to deliver “positive front and rear downforce”, (some 200 kg more than the standard Vantage at top speed) has been fitted. The aerodynamic changes include a full-width front splitter, front dive planes, underbody turning vanes and a new rear wing.
The Vantage F1 Edition is further distinguished by its vaned grille, 2×2 “Twill Carbon Fibre” exterior detailing, unique graphics, quad exhausts and a new design of “Satin Black Diamond Turned” alloys.
“Performance is at the heart of every Aston Martin, but when it wears an F1 badge it has to be a truly exceptional car. Vantage was already the most focused sports car in our range but in the development of our official safety car of Formula 1, it had to be a true athlete: more powerful; more agile; more immediate and more exciting to drive,” said Moers.
“And, of course, quicker and more capable in a race-track environment. I set the engineering team a tough target, as I was insistent that gains in performance came via genuine improvements in the car’s dynamics, and not by fitting track-optimised tyres. The results speak for themselves. A Vantage to appeal to the most discerning drivers and a new model that marks an exciting moment in Aston Martin’s history,” he added.
