2012 Aston Martin Vantage range

Aston Martin has facelifted the Vantage range for 2012 with the new line-up of sportscars debuting at the Geneva Motor Show 2012 next month. Prices for the new range start from £84,995.

Changes are focused on the V8 Vantage, which now gets a seven-speed Sportshift II transmission, plus revisions to the chassis that, says Aston, enhance the car's feel, response and control. There is also a subtle new look inspired by the firms' motorsport activities.

How can I tell the 2012 Aston Martin Vantage?

The 2012 Aston Martin V8 Vantage range receives some very discreet styling changes inspired by the Vantage S and N400 limited edition. At the front, there is a new bumper with a larger air intake to feed the engine and brakes. It also has an aero-tuned lower splitter.

Aston has fitted what it calls 'race-derived' side sills, while at the rear, there is a new diffuser. The tyres are also 10mm wider and they house revised brakes. Overall, the changes clean up the lines of the V8 Vantage, without radically reinventing the appearance of the baby Aston.

What has Aston Martin done to the gearbox?

This is the biggest change for the 2012 V8 Vantage: the Speedshift II automated manual gearbox has been uprated with an extra gear. The new seven-speed unit has closer gear ratios for a more sporting response, while Aston has also engineered the shifts to be faster and more refined.

With a lower final drive ratio, the firm says it's been able to optimise acceleration throughout the range and also make best use of the performance-tuned 420hp 4.7-litre V8 engine. The engine itself is, however, unchanged for 2012.

What has Aston Martin done to the brakes?

There are new 380mm two-piece ventilated cast-iron front discs, grabbed by six-piston calipers. The braking system also offers a Hill Start Assist function, that holds the brakes on for a while when the brake pedal is released, to stop rollbacks.

This will be a boon to those who can't quite get used to the distinctive Aston Martin 'fly-off handbrake'...

How has Aston Martin made the V8 Vantage better to drive?

The chassis benefits from improvements fist seen in the performance-tuned Vantage S. The firm has fitted a new steering column that has a faster ratio of 15:1 instead of 17:1. With a re-valved power steering pump, this means it's more direct and gives much better feedback.

Wider tyres mean there is more rubber in touch with the road, which has two benefits: it improves the car's roadholding but also allows the more responsive steering and enlarged brakes to be better utilised.

Further up the range, the Vantage S produces 430hp from its tuned 4.7-litre V8, and will again be more responsive on the move thanks to the new seven-speed gearbox. Vantage S models also get a bespoke exhaust system, plus a more sporting aerodynamic package detailed in carbon fibre.

Satellite navigation, Bluetooth and cruise control are all standard on the Vantage S. The Aston Martin V12 Vantage, however, is unchanged for 2012: Aston is instead focusing its V12 activities on the V12 Zagato, which will debut at the Geneva Motor Show 2012 prior to going on sale later in the year.

How much does the Aston Martin V8 Vantage cost?

The new Aston Martin V8 Vantage Coupe costs £84,995, with the Roadster model costing an additional £8,000. The 430hp Vantage S starts from £99,995 in coupe guise. The range is available to order now at Aston Martin dealers.

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