UPPING THE ANTE ON EXHILARATION
Written by Andre James
Photos courtesy of Aston Martin
Launched ahead of the penultimate round of the FIA World Endurance Championship Super Season – a world where Aston Martin Racing competes with the Vantage GTE – the Vantage AMR delivers an extra dose of excitement with the addition of a third pedal and manual transmission.
The heart of the Vantage AMR is a 4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine, which is set as low and as far back in the chassis as possible to create near perfect 50:50 weight distribution. This high performance, high-efficiency engine propels the two-door coupe from 0-60mph in 3.9 seconds, and 0-62mph in 4.0 seconds, with a top speed of 195mph.
Vantage AMR is equipped with a motorsport-inspired 7-speed transmission developed by Graziano, featuring a ‘dog-leg’ first gear. Inside, the driver is presented with the opportunity to deliver each gear via a hand-stitched leatherclad gearstick. Second to seventh gears are positioned in a traditional double H-pattern configuration. Vantage AMR’s transmission is mated to a limited-slip differential, tuned and calibrated by Aston Martin’s leading dynamics team, to ensure the rewarding and engaging experience expected of a manual.
The manual transmission features the driver-selectable AMSHIFT, which uses the clutch, gear position, and prop shaft sensors, together with a finely tuned engine management program to mimic the technique of heel-and-toe downshifts. AMSHIFT also offers the capability of full-throttle upshifts for maximum smoothness and minimal interruption in acceleration. Skyhook technology, part of Aston Martin’s latest adaptive damping system, offers Sport, Sport + and Track modes to ensure the car’s character can be tuned to the driver’s preference or road conditions.
Limited to 200-units, Vantage AMR is available in five designer specifications. 141 of those 200 will be available in either Sabiro Blue, Onyx Black, China Grey or White Stone, with a recommended retail price from $179,995. The remaining 59 will sport details that commemorate the 60th anniversary of Aston Martin’s 1959 24 Hours of Le Mans victory with DBR1. Named “Vantage 59”, this fixed specification features a Stirling Green and Lime exterior paint scheme and Dark Knight leather and Alcantara interior, finished with a signature AMR lime stripe and stitch, and is priced $204,995. Deliveries are scheduled to begin during the final quarter of 2019.
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