The Geneva Salon 2005 was the venue for the unveiling of the fabulous V8 Vantage with styling previewed in the AMV8 Vantage Concept; the first in what has become a very exciting line of two-seater sports cars. Production of the 175mph machine begin in the Autumn of 2005 to satisfy the desire of many anxious new owners. A Roadster version was unveiled in November 2006 for production mid-way through 2007. Midway through 2008, the engine grew in capacity from 4.3 litres to 4.7 litres with peak power jumping to 420bhp. The V8 Vantage S was introduced in 2011 with its 7 speed Sportshift II transmission and engine uprated to 430bhp. By 2012, the regularV8 Vantage received a host of updates first seen on the S model including the optional 7 speed transmission. Aston Martin has managed to take their biggest engine and squeezed it into the smallest bodyshell to create the V12 Vantage. Initially seen as a fully running concept, production began in late Spring 2009 and the car sold strongly around the world. Eventually the V12 Vantage Roadster was announced in July 2012 with a very short run of only 101 production cars.