If you saw Formula One’s new Aston Martin Vantage Safety Car revealed a couple of weeks ago and thought, “I want that in my garage,” you’re in luck. Aston Martin is bringing what is essentially that vehicle to the showroom and, if you’ve got the funds, your driveway, with the Aston Martin Vantage F1 Edition.
Directly based on this year’s F1 Aston Safety Car, the F1 Edition Vantage gets all of the official F1 support vehicle’s performance enhancements including 24 more horsepower from its 4.0-liter, twin-turbo V8 (527 hp total). Peak torque is the same as the standard car, 505 pound-feet, but that figure is now available for longer. The car’s eight-speed automatic transmission boasts quicker upshifts and a more direct, precise feel, according to the automaker. All in all, it’ll sit at the very top of the Vantage product range and be the most track-focused Vantage ever, coming with a large handful of chassis and suspension improvements.
The top-dog Vantage’s front end is stiffer while the dampers have been reworked, two things that result in better high-speed steering and body control while maintaining low-speed ride comfort. Rear spring rates are increased as well as lateral stiffness for sharper turn-in and better traction. Steering feel is also apparently better than the regular Vantage.
An extensive aero kit consisting of a front splitter, front dive planes, turning vanes on the underbody, and, of course, that big wing contribute to 441 pounds of additional downforce at the car’s top speed. Standard 21-inch wheels replace the vanilla Vantage’s 20s and are wrapped in Pirellis developed specifically for this F1 Edition.
Paint can be finished in either satin or gloss and, naturally, Aston Martin Racing Green is the hero color. That being said, the special Vantage can also be had in black or white. Available in Coupe or Roadster form, the Aston Martin Vantage F1 Edition is available to order now, starting at $162,000. Deliveries are slated for May 2021.
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