At this time, the surrounds to the Audi 200 sourced headlights were finished in black, something that never featured on the production cars. The other car on show at Birmingham was DP2034/4, finished in Balmoral Green was photographed extensively for the sales brochure and the rare Virage book.
The bonnet scoop bore a close resemblance to that on an early version of the DB4. The sills were more pronounced than in the Series I and were set off with polished metal covers.
All three cars were built to right hand drive, V600 automatic specification.
These photographs have been kindly provided by Aston Martin Works
One example has been spotted for sale on a German Aston dealer website. The car is finished in all over Meteorite Silver, with Deep Soft Obsidian black interior and silver stitching, numbered sill plates and silver wing badges. The two-tone Skyfall Silver/Meteorite Silver paint finish is of course totally optional on the Centenary Edition and it is perfectly possible for the cars to be either all over Meteorite or Skyfall Silver instead.
The three partially completed cars, it is believed, were subsequently destroyed due to the confidentially and exclusivity agreement with the overseas client.
In the US where they received 40 examples, the V12 Vantage Carbon Black specification was as per standard V12 Vantage 2012.5MY but with the following enhancements:
Carbon Exterior Pack (Carbon Lamp Infills, Carbon Mirror Caps, Carbon Side Strakes
Coloured brake calipers (choice of Yellow, Red, Black, Grey)
Gloss Black Diamond Turn painted wheels as a No Cost Option
Glass switches
Numbered Carbon Black Sill Plaque, 1 to 40
Black Leather or Black Alcantara seats with coloured stitching to match brake callipers
The absolute key feature of these last of the line Carbon Black cars from the original series is the black window surrounds, most easily seen on the side windows – or day light openings (DLO) as they are more properly called
In Australia, a further 6 similar numbered examples of the 2013MY V12 Vantage Carbon Black Australian Edition were built. These differed from the US version as only the Gloss Black Diamond Turn painted wheels were available and the brake calipers were only available in AML Carbon Black and Hammerhead Silver. Also Japan also received three examples of the late model 2013MY Carbon Black V12 Vantage. A single European spec car was exhibited at the Geneva Motor Show in February 2013 although at the time if was only titled as a product of ‘Q by Aston Martin’ rather than specifically as a Carbon Black edition.
Some websites call these cars either ‘Final Edition’ or ‘Carbon Black II’ although neither of these names have been used by AML in describing these cars. The cars are also occasionally referred to as ‘The Final Forty’ but maybe only be used cars salesmen!
The top photograph is of a regular example with Carbon Black coachwork from Lake Forrest Sportscars. Below you will see photographs of the only Carbon Black in Red Lion, a colour initially used on the Cygnet, and another example (photos by Peggy Matson) , one of only five in Azurite Black, the colour first seen on the UB-2010.
Started in 2002 with a design by Englishman, Andrew McGeachy, the car was not finished for 4 years after the most comprehensive conversion undertaken by the Swiss company. Whilst the 350 bhp engine remained stock, almost everything else was changed including most of the coachwork, all the interior, the transmission, brakes and suspension. Needless to say, the Rolls Royce Royal Blue Shooting Brake took a massive 10,000 hours to complete.
Roos Engineering near Bern in Switzerland have been associated with Aston Martin ever since they first became official dealers in 1975. These photographs have been provided with their kind permission.
The V12 Vantage S was so extreme for the time, it is the quickest series production Aston Martin ever with a top speed on 205 mph, and a 0-60 time of only 3.5 seconds. Perhaps the biggest change from the regular V12 Vantage was the adoption of a new 7-speed Sportshift III gearbox fitted as standard with near-seamless gearchanges at high engine speeds. This maximises the performance potential of the engine when compared to the previous conventional 6-speed manual gearshift. When first launched and for the first three years of production, a conventional manual gearbox was not available for the V12 Vantage S whatsoever.
The ‘S’ also introduces 3-stage Adaptive Damping (normal, sport and track) and Servotronic Steering to extract the maximum amount of the potential performance in the widest range of situations. The AM28 engine has a power increase of 55 bhp from 510 bhp to 565 bhp, matching the new Vanquish. Of greater real-world significance is the immediate increase in torque when pulling away from only 1000 rpm where an additional 70 Nm available versus the outgoing V12 Vantage. A new and advanced Bosch engine management system (unique to the ‘S’) controls AM28 alongside the debut of Dual Variable Camshaft Timing and knock-sensing – all improving efficiency and engine capability. This makes the car considerably quicker both when accelerating from stand-still and through the gears. Special attention has been paid to achieve greater aerodynamic efficiency to both aid cooling and increase vital downforce.
The exterior styling largely follows on from the previous car but features a new look Carbon Fibre front grille with vertical spars of the CC100 Concept Car, engineered to maximise airflow cooling and aerodynamic balance. The ‘S’ can also be specified with new optional 10 spoke lightweight forged alloy wheels although the standard wheel remains the 10-spoke design from the previous V12 Vantage, both with Pirelli P Zero Corsa tyres.
A new graphics pack allow for three separate areas of the V12 Vantage S (‘lipstick’ around the front grille, roof panel and tailgate panel/lamp infill) to be painted in a contrast colour of either silver or black. The ‘S’ could also be fitted with an exterior carbon pack (side strakes, mirror cars and rear lamp infill), interior carbon pack, black side window surrounds and has black headlamp bezels as standard. A small but easy to spot addition specific to the ‘S’ is an optional additional ‘V12’ badge that sits alongside the side repeater.
A year after being announced, the coupe was also joined in the range by the V12 Vantage Roadster S during the summer of 2014.
Then, three years after being first announced, the V12 Vantage S was eventually offered with a seven-speed conventional manual gearbox.
The seven-speed manual transmission features a classic dog-leg first gear position; an echo from the past that will be welcomed by driving enthusiasts. This dog-leg configuration also ensures the gears used most frequently are located in a double ‘H‘ pattern like that of a conventional 6-speed manual.
The new manual transmission also featured AMSHIFT. The system, which is driver selectable uses clutch, gear position and propshaft sensors, together with finely-tuned programming of the engine management, to mimic the technique of heel-and-toe downshifts; the act of blipping the throttle while braking and changing gear. AMSHIFT also offers the capability of full-throttle upshifts for maximum smoothness and minimal interruption in acceleration.
AMSHIFT can be used in all driving modes, but is especially effective in Sport, with the sharper throttle response and louder exhaust note really emphasising the downshift throttle blip for maximum excitement.
V12 Vantage S Performance Pack
The optional V12 S Performance Pack delivers a potential power upgrade of up to 30bhp. Magnesium manifolds coupled with a full length titanium exhaust produce increased performance with a spectacular soundtrack. The all-new carbon fibre diffuser blade completes this pack by giving the V12 Vantage S an even sportier look.
The all new titanium exhaust system downstream of the manifolds incorpotares within the system is a new design muffler developed using technology from the Aston Martin GT12, with improved gas flow which has been optimised to work in synergy with the new magnesium inlet manifolds to achieve maximum torque and power output improvements. Overall, the titanium exhaust system is almost 14 kg lighter than the standard steel V12 S system.
The V12S performance pack also includes brand new cast magnesium inlet manifolds. The new design inlet manifold has enhanced airflow routing through internal fencing that increases air speed via a Venturi effect to provide more air to the inlet chamber as well as more evenly distributing air across the cylinder heads. As a result, there is improved response and power distribution through the engine speed range. Replacing the standard aluminium manifolds with lightweight magnesium also saves 1.6 kg.
Also included in the V12S performance pack is a brand new carbon fibre lower rear diffuser. The vertical vanes help to manage the transition of airflow as it exits from underneath a car, and smooths flow around the new titanium muffler, reducing drag and turbulence. The full visual quality carbon fibre completes the look and links back to Aston Martin’s GT products.
The Aston Martin Performance Pack was initially only available for V12 Vantage S models with the Sportshift III transmission but it is now available for the dog-leg manual too.
Built over two years, the conversion involved an entirely new roof, chassis strengthening and the new rear door consuming 1,800 hours of craftsmanship. Roos had to fabricate several new interior panels and rear seats that can be folded flat to carry much greater loads than the coupe could ever dream of including full length skis. Yet the shooting brake only weighed 60kg more than the donor car. At the time, it was considered to be “the fastest and strongest estate car of the world.” With a 0-60 acceleration time of 3.9 seconds, we must assume the German owner was well satisfied with the end result.
This page has been made with the kind assistance of Roos Engineering of Safenwil in Switzerland
