The Aston Martin Vantage 6-liter V12 engine makes 517 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque, and it only comes with a 6-speed manual. The V8 and V12 Vantages are rear-wheel drive with the engine mounted under the hood, just behind the front axle.
Performance is more than respectable in the V8 coupe and roadster, with a top speed of 175 mph and a 0-60 mph time of 4.9 seconds. The V12, of course, goes a bit further, to a maximum of 190 mph and a 0-60 mph time of 4.1 seconds -- nearly a full second faster over the V8 model. The V12 also upgrades its brakes to the carbon ceramic variety.
All Vantages have anti-lock brakes, traction control, electronic braking, electronic brake assist, tire pressure monitoring, and dynamic stability control. DSC in the V12 includes track mode for a stiffer, more responsive ride during performance driving. The Vantage also features what Aston Martin calls the "Emotion Control Unit", which starts the car when a special key fob is pushed into a slot on the dash.
