Aston Martin tauntingly displayed a V12-powered concept version (pictured) of its Vantage coupe late last year, but officials claimed it was built only as a styling and engineering exercise to promote the opening of a new dedicated design centre. In the months since that unveiling a number of Vantage prototypes have been spotted on German streets and on the Nurburgring, and now we have video and new photographs of one of the test mules running laps at the famous circuit.

The spy video shows what appears to be a regular V8 Vantage, but the tell tale sign of a big rear-diffuser reveals the massive power underneath the prototype’s bonnet. Details of the front and rear in the most recent photos indicate a slightly revised rear diffuser design, new multi-spoke wheels and a more aggressive bootlid spoiler.

An Aston Martin spokesman has since confirmed development of a new V12-powered Vantage but couldn’t give a release date for the new variant.

Modified DBS engine, high-performance extras
The original concept car had the 6.0-litre V12 from the stunning DBS shoehorned into its engine bay, which combined with the Vantage’s relatively small size and weight ensured the one-off ‘RS’ model was the quickest road-going Aston ever as testified by the car’s 0-100km/h time of four seconds.

The DBS and upcoming DBS Volante are to remain Aston’s flagship models until the arrival of the long-rumoured ‘NPX’ supercar.

The production V12 Vantage is expected to feature a slightly down-tuned version of the 380kW engine in the DBS – likely to be around 335kW. Other features of the production V12 Vantage will likely include a vented bonnet, clear-lens taillights and carbon-ceramic brakes.

British-built V12 heats up European supercoupe battle
While production of the four-door Rapide is taking place at Magna Steyr’s facility in Austria, for now it seems as though the V12 Vantage will be produced at Gaydon alongside the regular V8 model.

Rivals - at least in terms of performance - for the V12 Aston include Audi’s R8, Ferrari’s F430 and Porsche’s 911 Turbo. All are cars or brands with strong fan bases, long motorsports heritage and stellar production value, so it will be an interesting battle to see if any one car emerges as a clear winner in the coming years.

Aston Martin V12 Vantage spy shots

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