2011 Aston Martin V12 Vantage (Manual) - Bamford Rose Upgrade

In early 2008, Aston Martin CEO Dr Ulrich Bez confirmed that production of the V12 Vantage would commence in mid 2009, although with the 510bhp engine shared with Aston Martin's other 12-cylinder models rather than the Vantage RS prototype's 580bhp dry-sump racing unit.

The classic hot-rodding technique of shoehorning a big engine into a small car is a well trodden route to increased performance, and so it was with the V12-engined Vantage RS prototype, which combined Aston Martin's largest engine with its most compact model. Built in just four months by Aston Martin's Special Vehicle Operations department, the first prototype was unveiled by Dr Bez at the official opening of the British manufacturer's new design studio at Gaydon, Warwickshire on 11th December 2007. Dr Bez promised that a production version would be considered should there be sufficient demand; the result was a deluge of enquiries from enthusiasts eager to get their hands on what promised to be Aston Martin's fastest ever road car.

Based on the V8 Vantage Coupé, the production V12 Vantage was powered by Aston Martin's familiar 6-litre V12 as found in the V12 Vanquish, DB9, and DBS models. Getting the V12 to fit the V8 Vantage chassis involved grafting on the engine cradle from the DB9, while the resulting weight increase and more forward weight distribution was accommodated by revised suspension settings. Boasting a kerb weight of 1,695kg, the V12 Vantage accelerates from 0-62mph in 4.2 seconds and can achieve a top speed of 190mph, not surprising given 510bhp and 420lb/ft of torque as standard. In the finale of the 13th series of BBC Television's Top Gear, presenter Jeremy Clarkson summed up the V12 Vantage saying, 'It's wonderful, wonderful, wonderful'.

The car presented here is a 2011 Aston Martin V12 Vantage, with the added specification highlight of a manual gearbox, the only way really to properly enjoy the sonorous V12! First registered on 14th July 2011, it looks every inch the modern-classic Aston in Quantum Silver paintwork with Obsidian Black leather, black carpets and Piano Black ski slope. It is accompanied by a complete Aston Martin service history and latterly by Aston Marton specialists, Bamford Rose of Warwickshire.

This car’s factory options include Aston Martin premium audio, satellite navigation, bright finish front grille, climate control, electric folding mirrors, electric memory seats, silver stitching to leather, multi-function steering wheel, 19” diamond-cut alloy wheels, carbon fibre bonnet inserts, carbon fibre front splitter, carbon fibre rear diffuser, carbon fibre interior door grab handles, and front and rear parking sensors.

Adding to this remarkable specification, this car has also benefits from a very welcome and well trusted power upgrade from Bamford Rose (who have upgraded over 150 V12 examples). In June 2022, at 26,018 miles, our vendor – who is a fastidious collector of some choice cars – took his Aston to Bamford Rose and, as part of an annual service, the car was treated to their Stage III engine power upgrade, which includes the fitment of tuned equal length exhaust manifolds, 200 cell high-flow catalysts, a three-way exhaust valve control switch (with a stealth/standard mode) - see image for components and an ECU remap, all at a cost of £8,400. The extra 80bhp (to 590) and 60Nm of torque transform an already rapid motor car into something really special, however it’s the aural changes that leave the lasting impression. With the manual gearbox offering the ability to keep RPM at a certain level and the new three-way exhaust valve enabling just the right pitch, the rise and fall of the exhaust note is truly symphonic and it’s exactly how you’d want your Aston Martin V12 to sound.

Temptingly guided, there is much to recommend this extremely stylish and powerful British sportscar.