Aston gets into gear with Vantage AMR

FIRST Australian deliveries of Aston Martin’s unique V8-powered manual-gearbox Vantage AMR special-edition coupe are now underway, including a super-exclusive ‘Vantage 59’ variant which was sold through the Melbourne dealership and is one of only 59 to be produced worldwide.

Priced from $409,950 plus on-road costs, this is believed to be the only Vantage 59 heading Down Under and is finished in a commemorative Stirling Green body colour with lime graphics and ‘59’ logo on the clamshell bonnet to honour Aston’s one-two victory in the 1959 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Total global production of the latest AMR (for Aston Martin Racing) edition is limited to 200 units, with the standard ‘Hero’ specification priced at $369,950 plus on-road costs – $70,000 upstream of the regular V8 Vantage, which starts from $299,950.

The Vantage AMR caters to old-school drivers drawn to the seven-speed manual gearbox developed by Italy’s Dana Graziano and bolted onto the Mercedes-AMG-sourced 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8.

As previously reported, the switch from the standard eight-speed ZF automatic transmission to the lighter manual gearbox contributes to a weight saving of 95kg in the AMR (1499kg dry), but peak torque from the V8 has had to be cut by 60Nm, to 625Nm from 2000-5000rpm.

Maximum power remains at 375kW at 6000rpm, as is the top speed (314km/h), but the combination of less torque and shifting the cogs by hand makes the manual Vantage 0.4 seconds slower from 0-100km/h, at 4.0 seconds.

The gearstick has a dog-leg first gear – to the left and up – to ensure that the most frequently used gears, from second to seventh, are easily snapped in a traditional double-H pattern.

Like the automatic in its manual mode, the AMR also includes the AMShift system to blip the throttle on downshifts, mimicking heel-and-toe driving.

The rear-wheel-drive two-seater Vantage AMR has a 50:50 weight distribution, a limited-slip differential and Aston’s latest adaptive damping system with Sport, Sport+ and Track modes.

Standard specification on the Hero includes 20-inch forged AMR wheels with Pirelli P Zero tyres (255/40 front, 295/35 rear), AMR lime-green brake callipers, Q 2x2 twill gloss carbon-fibre bonnet vents and exterior body pack, carbon-fibre diffuser insert and blades, silver under-bonnet cross brace, LED headlights, smoked LED tail-lights, quad matte-black exhaust and other black highlights on the front grille and window surrounds.

Electronic handling aids extend to dynamic torque vectoring, positive torque control and dynamic stability and traction control, while high expectations on braking performance are met with ventilated carbon-ceramic brake discs measuring 410mm up front and 360mm at the rear.

Driver-assist systems include blind-spot monitoring, auto park assist, tyre pressure monitoring, front and rear parking sensors and a 360-degree camera.

In-car infotainment tech bundles in an Aston Martin audio system, 8.0-inch LCD screen, iPod/iPhone integration and USB playback, DAB digital radio, A2DP Bluetooth audio and phone streaming, and integrated sat-nav.

The cabin fit-out includes a choice of four interior ‘environment options’, all of which include the AMR lime stripe and stitching (mixing with different leather/Alcantara colour combinations), as well as Sports Plus seats and steering wheel, AMR silver logo embroidery, Q dark chrome and carbon-fibre jewellery pack, aluminium treadplates with AMR sill plaque, gloss-black trim inlay and glass switchgear.

A variety of optional features are available for the body and interior design, as well as functional equipment such as a higher-grade audio system and 16-way seating adjustment (with heating).

Other than the Vantage 59 paintwork, there are four exterior colour options on the AMR: Sabiro Blue, Onyx Black, China Grey and White Stone.

2020 Aston Martin Vantage AMR pricing*

*Excludes on-road costs