NEW V12 VANTAGE NOW AVAILABLE FOR FIRST TIME IN NORTH AMERICA FROM ASTON MARTIN OF DALLAS

Aston Martin has confirmed that the V12 Vantage will be available through Aston Martin of Dallas later this year. Originally intended only for European and Middle Eastern countries, deliveries of the sports car for North American customers are expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2010.

“As the number one dealer in North America for both new and pre-owned Aston Martins, we’re pleased to be able to offer our clientele this exciting sports car, which previously was not available in North America,” said Kurt Fegraeus, Managing Partner at Aston Martin of Dallas. “After enjoying the thrill of driving the V12 Vantage in England, I requested that it be made available for my customers. While all Astons are special, the V12 Vantage will be a rare jewel as very few will be imported into this country. ”

Originally launched in 2009, the V12 Vantage has quickly established itself as a firm favorite with enthusiasts and media observers alike, winning a series of accolades and praise around the world for the British marque. Based on the hugely successful V8 Vantage, the V12 Vantage features a 6.0 liter V12 engine producing 510 horsepower and 420 lb ft of torque with a top speed of 190 mph and a 0-62 mph time of 4.2 seconds.

Aston Martin Chief Executive Officer, Dr Ulrich Bez stated, “This is the ultimate performance interpretation of the Vantage range, combining our most agile model with our most powerful engine. It represents the definitive Aston Martin driving experience; providing spectacular performance to ensure a dynamically thrilling drive in a highly exclusive package.”

Originally, Aston Martin believed that the level of demand in North America was too low to homologate it for the US market. However, strong demand from customers prompted an engineering study into potential feasibility with the strict instructions that any changes could not impact on the overall design of the car. Now just six months later, a series of engineering refinements have been introduced to satisfy the specific requirements of the American market.

“Designed for the focused driver, every component of the V12 Vantage was honed for pure driving pleasure,” noted Fegraeus. “By incorporating race-developed materials and components, the V12 Vantages’ performance and agility have been tuned to perfection.”

The fastest Aston in the company’s line, the V12 Vantage expresses performance potential with a purposeful stance created by enhanced aerodynamic and cooling aids; this also visually widens the car, while retaining traditional understated Aston Martin design. The cosseting interior permits the driver to extract maximum performance from the car while also enjoying customary levels of Aston Martin comfort.

High levels of power and torque are available at all speeds, making the Aston responsive and tractable in any driving situation. The V12 Vantage is equally at home on the track or on the road. Last year as the final engineering durability test for the car, a near-standard specification V12 Vantage competed in the grueling Nürburgring 24-hour race driving to a class victory at the hands of the company’s engineering team, including Dr. Bez. A similar V12 Vantage is entered in the 2010 race this month.

According to Dr Ulrich Bez, ““The V12 Vantage has a unique character, one unlike our other cars. This will appeal to different people with different tastes, allowing more people to enjoy the Aston Martin experience."

For North America, the Aston Martin V12 Vantage will also be available in a highly desirable and limited Carbon Black special edition. The car features a bespoke Carbon Black metallic paint with a subtle metallic twist to create a deep rich patina. The iconic Aston Martin side strake is fashioned from real carbon fiber backed by a black mesh and complimented with gloss black 10 spoke diamond turned alloy wheels. A bright finished grille and front parking sensors complete the exterior detailing.

Inside, owners will be greeted to swathes of Obsidian Black leather highlighted with a contrasting silver coarse stitch, all hand stitched at Aston Martin. Also featured are a Piano black fascia trim, center stack and center console, anodized black tread plates and unique sill plaques build. The Aston Martin 700w Premium Audio System is standard equipment.

The V12 Vantage is built at Aston Martin’s global headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire at a state-of-the-art production facility combining hi-tech manufacturing processes with traditional hand-craftsmanship. The V12 Vantage is available to order now and deliveries to Aston Martin of Dallas are expected to begin during the fourth quarter of 2010.

Aston Martin of Dallas was founded in 2000 and was the number one retail story in both the new and pre-owned Aston market. Their team is legendary for creating a premium buying and ownership experience. Their expertise and philosophy helped make it the number one dealership for sales of new, as well as pre-owned Aston Martins in North America during 2009.

The dealership works with each client to tailor a new or pre-owned Aston Martin Rapide, Vantage, DB9 or DBS to their tastes, much like buying a suit from Seville Row. An Aston Martin of Dallas sales consultant helps each customer select from a menu of interior choices, paint hues and performance options. The result is a car that truly expresses the new owner’s style.



Aston Martin V12 Vantage Specifications

Body:
Two door, two seat coupe body
Bonded aluminum structure
Aluminum, magnesium alloy, composite and steel body
Extruded aluminum door side impact beams
High Intensity Discharge Headlamps (dipped beam)
Halogen projector headlamps (main beam)
LED rear lamps

Engine:
All alloy quad overhead cam 48 valve 5935cc V12
Compression ratio 10.9:1
Front mid-mounted engine, rear wheel drive
Fully catalysed stainless steel exhaust system with active bypass valves

Maximum Power
510 bhp at 6500 rpm

Maximum Torque
420 lb.ft at 5750 rpm

Acceleration
0-62 mph (100 km/h) in 4.2 seconds
0-60 mph in 4.1 seconds

Maximum Speed
190 mph (305 km/h)

Fuel Economy
Urban 11.64 mpg 24.26 l/100km
Extra Urban 24.05 mpg 11.74 l/100km
Combined 17.28 mpg 16.35 l/100km

Transmission:
Rear mid-mounted six speed manual gearbox. Alloy torque tube with carbon fiber propeller shaft.
Limited slip differential.
Final Drive Ratio 3.71:1

Steering:
Rack and pinion
Column tilt and reach adjustment.

Suspension:
Front: Independent double wishbone incorporating anti-dive geometry, coil springs, anti-roll bar and monotube dampers
Rear: Independent double wishbones with anti- squat and anti-lift geometry, dual-rate coil springs, anti-roll bar and monotube dampers

Wheels
Front: 9” x 19”
Rear: 11” x 19”

Tyres:
Front: Pirelli P Zero Corsa 255/35 ZR19
Rear: Pirelli P Zero Corsa 295/30 ZR19

Brakes:
Front: Ventilated Carbon Ceramic discs 398mm diameter with six piston calipers.
Rear: Ventilated Carbon Ceramic discs 360mm diameter with four piston calipers.
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) with Track mode.
Anti-lock braking system (ABS)
Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)
Emergency Brake Assist (EBA)
Traction Control

Length: 4380 mm (172.5”)
Width: 1865 mm (73.5”) (excluding door mirrors)
2025 mm (80”) (including door mirrors)
Height: 1241 mm (49“)
Wheelbase: 2600 mm. (107.9”)
Fuel tank capacity: 80 liters (17.6 Imp. Gal. / 21.1 US Gal)
Weight: 1680 kg (3704 lb)

Interior:
Carbon fiber door pulls
Memory seats and exterior mirrors (3 positions)
Sports seats with 10 way electric adjustment, including height, tilt and lumbar adjustment.
Dual Stage Driver and Passenger Front Airbags
Side Airbags (Sports seats only)
Heated rear screen
Automatic temperature control
Organic Electroluminescent (OEL) displays
Trip computer
Cruise control
Hard Disk Drive (HDD) satellite navigation system*
Bluetooth telephone preparation*
Powerfold exterior mirrors
Rear parking sensors
Auto dimming interior rear view mirror
Tyre pressure monitoring*
Alarm and immobilizer
Remote-control central door locking and boot release
Battery disconnect switch
Tracking device (UK only)

NEW V12 VANTAGE NOW AVAILABLE FOR FIRST TIME IN NORTH AMERICA FROM ASTON MARTIN OF DALLAS

DALLAS – May 12, 2010 – In response to unprecedented customer demand, Aston Martin has confirmed that the V12 Vantage, the most potent production sports car in the marque’s 96-year history, will be available through Aston Martin of Dallas later this year. Originally intended only for European and Middle Eastern countries, deliveries of the sports car for North American customers are expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2010.

“As the number one dealer in North America for both new and pre-owned Aston Martins, we’re pleased to be able to offer our clientele this exciting sports car, which previously was not available in North America,” said Kurt Fegraeus, Managing Partner at Aston Martin of Dallas. “After enjoying the thrill of driving the V12 Vantage in England, I requested that it be made available for my customers. While all Astons are special, the V12 Vantage will be a rare jewel as very few will be imported into this country. ”

Originally launched in 2009, the V12 Vantage has quickly established itself as a firm favorite with enthusiasts and media observers alike, winning a series of accolades and praise around the world for the British marque. Based on the hugely successful V8 Vantage, the V12 Vantage features a 6.0 liter V12 engine producing 510 horsepower and 420 lb ft of torque with a top speed of 190 mph and a 0-62 mph time of 4.2 seconds.

Aston Martin Chief Executive Officer, Dr Ulrich Bez stated, “This is the ultimate performance interpretation of the Vantage range, combining our most agile model with our most powerful engine. It represents the definitive Aston Martin driving experience; providing spectacular performance to ensure a dynamically thrilling drive in a highly exclusive package.”

Originally, Aston Martin believed that the level of demand in North America was too low to homologate it for the US market. However, strong demand from customers prompted an engineering study into potential feasibility with the strict instructions that any changes could not impact on the overall design of the car. Now just six months later, a series of engineering refinements have been introduced to satisfy the specific requirements of the American market.

“Designed for the focused driver, every component of the V12 Vantage was honed for pure driving pleasure,” noted Fegraeus. “By incorporating race-developed materials and components, the V12 Vantages’ performance and agility have been tuned to perfection.”

The fastest Aston in the company’s line, the V12 Vantage expresses performance potential with a purposeful stance created by enhanced aerodynamic and cooling aids; this also visually widens the car, while retaining traditional understated Aston Martin design. The cosseting interior permits the driver to extract maximum performance from the car while also enjoying customary levels of Aston Martin comfort.

High levels of power and torque are available at all speeds, making the Aston responsive and tractable in any driving situation. The V12 Vantage is equally at home on the track or on the road. Last year as the final engineering durability test for the car, a near-standard specification V12 Vantage competed in the grueling Nürburgring 24-hour race driving to a class victory at the hands of the company’s engineering team, including Dr. Bez. A similar V12 Vantage is entered in the 2010 race this month.

For North America, the Aston Martin V12 Vantage will also be available in a highly desirable and limited Carbon Black special edition. The car features a bespoke Carbon Black metallic paint with a subtle metallic twist to create a deep rich patina. The iconic Aston Martin side strake is fashioned from real carbon fiber backed by a black mesh and complimented with gloss black 10 spoke diamond turned alloy wheels. A bright finished grille and front parking sensors complete the exterior detailing.

Inside, owners will be greeted to swathes of Obsidian Black leather highlighted with a contrasting silver coarse stitch, all hand stitched at Aston Martin. Also featured are a Piano black fascia trim, center stack and center console, anodized black tread plates and unique sill plaques build. The Aston Martin 700w Premium Audio System is standard equipment.

The V12 Vantage is built at Aston Martin’s global headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire at a state-of-the-art production facility combining hi-tech manufacturing processes with traditional hand-craftsmanship. The V12 Vantage is available to order now and deliveries to Aston Martin of Dallas are expected to begin during the fourth quarter of 2010.

About Aston Martin of Dallas
Aston Martin of Dallas offers the complete line of new and pre-owned Aston models including the Rapide, DBS, DB9, V8 Vantage and V12 Vantage. The museum-inspired facility offers owners a two-story private club that is available 24 hours a day and hosts exclusive events. Information about AMOD is available at www.astonmartindallas.com or by calling (214) 522-1007.


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CPO: The Right Key to A Pre-Owned Aston

Driving an Aston Martin is one of life’s sweetest pleasures. Few luxuries in the world are as wonderful and with such a small number built each year, exclusivity has always been part of the ownership experience.

While Aston Martin has introduced two new models (the Rapide and V12 Vantage), the overall number of cars being built will still be very limited. That means that many will have to seek out a pre-owned Aston to fulfill their four wheel fantasies.

But the truth is that not all Aston Martins on the lot are the same. Just because a dealership sells Jaguars, Ferraris, Porsches or BMWs doesn’t mean they know how to maintain or represent the condition of an Aston Martin.

That’s why Aston Martin of Dallas and Aston Martin North America recently introduced a new Certified Pre-Owned Program in North Texas (www.astonmartindallas.com/web/959/news/256/aston-martin-dallas-rolls-out-certified-preowned-program). The goal was to make the luxury sports cars even more appealing to potential owners who are not in the market for a new model year car.

After a thorough factory mandated point inspection, only the best are offered through this program at Aston Martin of Dallas. Every car must have impeccable service records, be in incredible condition and have a solid history. Each Aston’s warranty is also extended to provide additional peace of mind.

This means that a buyer will get a “no stories” car that they can enjoy. What is the value of being able to drive and enjoy a car without worrying about an expensive repair bill if the previous owner did not maintain their Aston properly?

In addition, Aston Martin of Dallas now offers a new extended warranty for all 2003 and later Astons. Both a 12- and 24-month extension are available for the cars with no mileage limitation during the covered period, as well as standard 24/7 Roadside Assistance.

It’s easy to be lured into a dealership offering an Aston for what seems a bargain price. But like most purchases, the smart buy is usually the one that comes with a bit higher price tag in the short term but less risk over the long. If a used Aston seems to have a price that is too good to be true, then it probably is.

Before you go, drive an Aston Martin DBS Volante

Terry Box of The Dallas Morning News recently reviewed the Aston Martin DBS Volante. In his piece, he waxed poetically about how everyone should drive one of these marvelous cars before they die (http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/classifieds/news/automotive/terrysgarage/stories/DN-AutosVolante_14emp.State.Edition1.2dbb40d.html).

Since so few Volantes are created each year, the number of people who will enjoy that privilege is very small. But Terry is on target with his review of the hand built V12 convertible.

One of his most memorable thoughts was:

"I simply can't rationalize the DBS, which sits atop the Aston Martin three-vehicle lineup (the V-8 Vantage starts at $119,500 and the DB9 at $179,450). But my advice, nonetheless, is to sell your house, cash in your savings, liquidate what's left of your pockmarked 401(k) and buy one of these sports cars.

Before we die, we deserve engaging cars like the DBS – most of us, that is, outside Washington and California, where the aristocrats drive either Priuses or Ferraris."

Terry's review was so stirring that the newspaper received a thought provoking letter, which it published in the Sunday, Nov. 29 issue. After spending considerable time with the DBS Volante, I have to agree that its one of lifes most rewarding pleasures.