Vantage Amr – The First Of A Fierce New Breed

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VANTAGE AMR - THE FIRST OF A FIERCE NEW BREED

VANTAGE AMR - THE FIRST OF A FIERCE NEW BREED

The Vantage name has long been synonymous with more extreme performance Aston Martins since the 1950s, so it’s entirely appropriate that the Vantage AMR should be the first series production derivative of Aston Martin’s new race-inspired performance range.

Launched at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year, AMR amplifies and accentuates the sporting prowess of the British marque’s road cars, by taking inspiration or direct influence from Aston Martin Racing’s participation in the FIA World Endurance Championship; a series with which the marque tasted world championship success with factory drivers Nicki Thiim and Marco Sørensen just last season.

The AMR brand has two distinct tiers. Series production limited edition models such as the new Vantage AMR sit at its entry point, while extreme and extensively modified AMR Pro models created by Q by Aston Martin Advanced Operations sit at the pinnacle of the range, including the exclusive Vantage AMR Pro unveiled at this year’s Geneva Motor Show.

As you would expect, the Vantage AMR stays true to Aston Martin’s passion of offering cars with sharpened looks to match their vivid performance and vibrant character. A celebration of Aston Martin’s worldwide success across GT4, GT3 and GTE categories, the Vantage AMRs are offered both with 430bhp V8 or 595bhp1 – up from 565bhp – V12 powertrain options.

Both engines are fitted with automated sequential manual paddle-shift transmissions, or for the purist, six and seven-speed manual gearboxes in the V8 and V12 Vantage AMRs respectively.

Vantage AMR is available in four striking AMR exterior schemes: Stratus White with an Orange graphic; Ultramarine Black with Blue graphic; Zaffre Blue with Red graphic and Scintilla Silver with Grey graphic.

In addition the AMR ‘Halo Pack’ takes direct inspiration from Aston Martin Racing’s 2016 World Endurance Championship-winning #95 Vantage GTE, working a combination of Stirling Green paint and vivid Lime Green accents to dramatic effect. As a finishing touch, a special Union Jack-enameled AML wings badge, previously featured on last year’s GTE racer, is available as a no-cost option.

Each of the exterior schemes is matched to a different interior scheme that demonstrate Aston Martin’s mastery of materials and hand-craftsmanship to perfection. With a combination of leather and Alcantara for the Vantage AMR Coupes and all-leather for the Vantage AMR Roadsters, each interior scheme has been carefully chosen to compliment the exterior colours. In keeping with its exterior the Halo Pack features boldly contrasting colours, including Lime Green welts and accents.

Lightweight carbon fibre seats are offered as part of the extensive range of interior and exterior options. These include a suite of other carbon fibre features, including a lightweight front grille, side strakes, lamp infills and mirror caps on the outside, instrument surround, door tops and door grabs on the inside. There is also a choice of three different finishes for the V8 Vantage AMR’s 5-spoke alloy wheels and the V12 Vantage AMR’s lightweight 10-spoke alloy wheels.

For those who wish to add further finishing touches and personalisation, the Vantage AMR can be specified with additional options from the new AMR Accessories range. The most dramatic of these is the AMR Aero Kit. Produced in partnership with Aston Martin Racing, the extensive aerodynamic package for coupe models is constructed from carbon fibre and features front splitter and dive planes, plus side sills and a fixed rear spoiler. Another highlight is the optional forged aluminium AMR Vantage wheel, which mimics the design of the wheels fitted to the Vantage AMR Pro Concept shown at Geneva. Further weight savings can be made with the AMR titanium exhaust, which saves 14kg over the standard V12 Vantage system, sounds sensational and helps to sharpen engine response.

Aston Martin President and CEO, Dr Andy Palmer, said of the Vantage AMR: “It’s a real thrill to see our first AMR model go into production. The Vantage has been an incredible success for Aston Martin, both in V8 and V12 forms. As our most agile and athletic road car, and our long-time representative in the world of GT racing, it is the perfect model with which to introduce the exciting AMR range. Unmistakable in look and feel the Vantage AMR will appeal to our most enthusiastic customers. These are people who love our cars for their motorsport pedigree, and for their unmistakable dynamic and emotional qualities. Limited production numbers will undoubtedly make them extremely collectible, but they’re so good to drive I’m confident we’ll see many of them being enjoyed both on the road and at track events around the world.”

Both V8 and V12 Vantage AMR models are available in both Coupe and Roadster body styles in selected markets2, with recommended retail prices starting from £97,995 in the UK and €126,995 in Germany. Deliveries are scheduled to commence in Q4 2017.

courtesy: www.astonmartin.com

AMR – Taking Aston Martin To New Extremes

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Aston Martin has chosen the 2017 Geneva Motor Show to launch AMR

Aston Martin has chosen the 2017 Geneva Motor Show to launch AMR – an exciting new brand that brings a new dimension of race inspired dynamism and performance.

Reflecting Aston Martin’s racing pedigree, AMR takes technology and inspiration from motorsport to amplify the sporting prowess present across the model range. With enhanced performance, sharper dynamics and more powerful design language, AMR takes Aston Martin’s road cars to new and exciting extremes.

The AMR brand follows in the wheeltracks of successive iconic Aston Martin road cars which boasted top-level racing pedigree. In the mid-1930s the success of Aston Martin’s Team Cars in the Ulster TT road race led the marque to build further examples of the lightweight two-seater for sale to the public. In 1951, Sir David Brown introduced uprated and highly desirable ‘Vantage’ specification models, and steered the marque to an historic outright win at Le Mans with the iconic DBR1 in 1959.

Since the formation of Aston Martin Racing (AMR) in 2004 Aston Martin has enjoyed success in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), winning the 2016 FIA WEC GT Drivers Championship, while also securing three class victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans over this period. Similarly, Aston Martin Racing’s GT3 and GT4 racers have secured countless victories and championship titles around the world.

Two AMR concepts have been unveiled in Geneva: The Rapide AMR and Vantage AMR Pro. The Rapide represents the first tier of AMR, enhancing the four-door sports car with a comprehensive suite of power, chassis and styling upgrades, plus a spectacular new interior treatment. The Vantage AMR Pro – heavily influenced by Aston Martin Racing’s WEC winning V8 Vantage GTE – is the pinnacle; an uncompromising demonstration of AMR’s ‘Track to Tarmac’ philosophy whereby race technology is transferred to road cars.

While future development of the core AMR models will be part of Aston Martin’s central vehicle engineering teams, development of all AMR Pro models will be led by Q by Aston Martin Advanced Operations. This highly-skilled department – managed by Aston Martin’s VP and Chief Special Operations Officer, David King – already has extensive experience of creating extreme Aston Martins, with recent projects including the Vantage GT12, Vantage GT8 and Aston Martin Vulcan.

Underlining Aston Martin’s commitment to its new high-performance brand, AMR’s European development and brand centre will be based at Aston Martin’s state-of-the-art Nürburgring Test Centre, which is situated within sight of the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife race track.

Marek Reichman, Aston Martin EVP and Chief Creative Officer, says that the AMR brand was a logical next step after the ’sold-out’ success of limited edition sporting versions like the Vantage GT8 and Vantage GT12: “Each time we have pushed the boundaries and done something extreme, the customers have loved the cars. AMR enables us to take Aston Martin into a new dimension. One where we can turn-up the sporting DNA present in all of our models and make a true statement. An AMR model will have an instantly recognisable design language. One that accentuates and amplifies, together with the latest GT race car technology for the road. They will be special and rare cars that are credible, thrilling to drive and hugely desirable to own.”

Rapide AMR

A striking presence on the Aston Martin stand, the Rapide AMR provides a dynamic and visual blueprint for future AMR models. Featuring a 600PS version of Aston Martin’s celebrated 6.0-litre naturally aspirated V12 breathing through a new quad exhaust system, it is the world’s fastest and most thrilling four-door, capable of 210MPH. Resplendent in AMR’s signature Stirling Green with vibrant lime green accents, riding on new 21in alloy wheels and featuring a dramatic new full height signature grille, front splitter, side sills, rear diffuser and aero flip on the rear decklid, the Rapide AMR makes a striking statement.

Extensive use of carbon fibre detailing on the exterior provide the perfect finishing touches. The interior is equally breathtaking. Lightweight carbon fibre front seats, trimmed throughout in Dark Knight Alcantara with Lime Green accents and carbon fibre waterfall, centre console and door casings, ensure the Rapide AMR is a fabulous fusion of race car attitude with a luxurious crafted twist.

Vantage AMR Pro

Aston Martin has chosen the 2017 Geneva Motor Show to launch AMR

The Vantage AMR Pro is an extreme, track-only expression of performance and the ultimate iteration of the Vantage. Powered by a 507PS development of Aston Martin Racing’s GT4 race engine, the Vantage AMR Pro is the most powerful V8 Vantage ever. Race-spec adjustable suspension, competition engine and transmission mounts and new 19in x 9.5in front and 19in x 11.5in rear centre lock wheels shod with Michelin Pilot Cup 2 tyres, the Vantage AMR Pro promises inspirational handling precision and exceptional levels of grip and traction.

This race car performance is matched by authentic motorsport styling. Once again painted in Stirling Green with lime green accents, the Vantage AMR Pro not only takes its colour scheme from Aston Martin Racing’s V8 Vantage GTE racer, but uses the same bonnet and rear wing as the World Endurance Championship winner.

To compliment these authentic motorsport parts, Aston Martin’s design team has designed a new front bumper that incorporates a new bold full-height front grille, a new front valance and splitter, front fenders, sill appliques and a revised rear diffuser.

The racing theme continues inside, with extensive use of carbon fibre, lavish Dark Knight Alcantara upholstery with lime green accents and a custom roll cage designed by Q by Aston Martin. The result is a Vantage that looks as spectacular as it drives.

Aston Martin’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Andy Palmer, was quick to confirm that both the Rapide AMR and Vantage AMR Pro concepts are set for production: “As passionate enthusiasts of Aston Martin’s competition pedigree, AMR is something we have wanted to bring to fruition for some time. Cars such as the Vantage GT8 and Vantage GT12 confirmed that our customers love raw, race-bred models, but we also knew there was an opportunity to create cars that offer a sharper performance focus but stop short of those truly hardcore, special series models. With the AMR brand we have the perfect platform to deliver both.

As proof of that intent I’m incredibly excited to announce that we will be putting both the Vantage AMR Pro and Rapide AMR into production: the Vantage in an extremely limited series of no more than 7 cars; the Rapide as a run of only 210 cars. They are the start of something very exciting – a programme that will eventually see an AMR version of every model in the Aston Martin range”.

courtesy: www.astonmartin.com