Here comes the Vantage F1® Edition is a new breed of Aston Martin.
This is a supercar that celebrates the marques return to Formula 1® for the first time in over 60 years and establishes the Vantage as a true sports car. However, will you buy this or the exclusive DBX 707 which costs just a smidgen more? Maybe it will be better to just buy both and be happy.
A core production offering, the new Vantage F1® Edition sits at the top of the Vantage Bohemian Edition which arrived just months ago in 2022.
Motivated by an exciting return to Formula 1® in 2021 and as a direct result of the engineering that went into the development of the Vantage as an Official Safety Car of Formula 1®, which made its debut at the Formula 1® Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2021, the Vantage F1® Edition is the ultimate expression of performance and dynamism; it is the fastest and most focused of the already sporting Vantage.
Not only is it the most powerful, but the Vantage F1® Edition benefits from unique and significant chassis and aerodynamic improvements developed by Aston Martin’s hugely experienced engineering team. While the luxury brand’s Aston Martin Cognizant Formula OneTM team was busy preparing a return to the grid, the engineering team behind the distinguished road cars were simultaneously creating the ultimate Aston Martin Vantage which could take on the role of an Official Safety Car of Formula 1®.
The task was to develop significant performance enhancements, driven by improved lap time performance to successfully carry out its role on the F1® track, but without compromising its on-road capabilities. Notably, it would do so without the fitment of aggressive track-optimised tyres.
Following the success of these enhancements, which were integrated into the production car – ultimately developing the new Vantage F1® Edition.
The most sporting Vantage in the production range and in essence, a replica of the Vantage Official Safety Car of Formula 1®. An exciting proposition for Aston Martin customers.
The engineering team targeted intelligent, incremental improvements across multiple areas of the Vantage F1® Edition’s auto-only powertrain, chassis and aerodynamics to bring out more character, increase tactility and expand its outright capabilities.
Starting with the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine, power is heightened by 25PS to a new maximum of 535PS. Peak torque remains unchanged at 685Nm, but that peak is sustained for longer to further increase tractability and in-gear urgency.
This relentless, muscular performance has been further enhanced by work of the 8-speed automatic transmission, with an optimised torque cut during upshifts that reduces shift times and increases the feeling of directness and precision.
This torque management also enhances the driver’s sense of control and connection during downshifts specifically under heavy braking and allows for finer control when the driver is balancing the car at its limit of traction. While noticeable in all circumstances and conditions, these improvements are especially beneficial when driving on track.
Moving to the chassis, the team’s focus centered on the suspension and steering, with further detailed underbody modifications to increase front structural stiffness for a further improvement in steering feel and response.
Reworked damper internals have increased the dampers’ effective force range. This increase in bandwidth brings a noticeable improvement in vertical body control – both through high-speed compressions and over crests – without any deterioration in low-speed compliance.
To compliment changes to the dampers, the chassis also benefits from increased rear spring rate and lateral stiffness to help sharpen turn-in, increase traction (especially over bumps) and ensure the rear-end is tuned to compliment the front-end’s rate of response.
Further improvements to response and – crucially – to what the driver feels have been made to the steering system, allowing feedback from the road to be transmitted more clearly, which in turn helped build a detailed sense of available grip.
With the chassis hardware optimised, attention turned to the wheels and tyres, increasing from 20” on the regular Vantage to 21” as standard for the F1® Edition – the first time the Vantage has been fitted with 21” wheels and wrapped with Pirelli’s 255/35ZR21 in front and 295/30ZR21 in the rear, developed specifically for the F1® Edition.
Much like the other dynamic changes, the switch to a lower profile tyre provides greater feedback to the driver to ensure progressive on-limit handling to give maximum confidence in even the most extreme track driving scenarios.
Completing the Vantage F1® Edition’s performance enhancements is a comprehensive aero kit, bringing improvements that can be felt from the driver’s seat and measured against the clock. Designed to deliver positive front and rear downforce, totalling up to 200kg more downforce than the Vantage at top speed while optimising the overall balance of the car.
The aerodynamic changes comprise a full-width front splitter, front dive planes, underbody turning vanes, and – most obviously – the new rear wing. The rear diffuser remains unchanged but remains a core feature in the delivery of the aerodynamic performance working in tandem with the new aerodynamic features.
The Vantage F1® Edition expresses its intensified performance with limited, yet distinctive colour palettes and trim options, including one that celebrates Aston Martin’s return to Formula 1® with an Aston Martin Racing Green colour scheme, mimicking the Aston Martin Cognizant Formula OneTM Team car, as well as the Official Safety Car of Formula 1®.
Exterior paint colours are available in both a Satin or Gloss finish, and other colour options include Jet Black and Lunar White, all of which are complimented by a Solid Matte Dark Grey racing graphic. Inside the Vantage F1® Edition features new Obsidian Black Leather and Phantom Grey Alcantara upholstery and trim, with a choice of Lime Green, Obsidian Black, Titanium Grey or Spicy Red contrast stripe and stitching.
The Vantage F1® Edition is available in variations such as Coupe and Roadster which is further distinguished by its vaned grille as standard, 2×2 Twill Carbon Fibre exterior detailing, unique graphics, quad exhausts, and a newly designed Satin Black 21” alloy wheels.
Performance is at the heart of every Aston Martin, but when it wears an F1® badge it is 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.
The results speak for itself, which is a Vantage to appeal to the most discerning drivers and a new model that marks an exciting moment in Aston Martin’s history.
Currently available in Aston Martin Kuala Lumpur, the new Vantage F1® Edition is on sale now with a recommended retail price from RM978,000 excluding taxes, duties and other options.
