Photo: S.Baldauf/SB-Medien
Even though it was initially supposed to be unveiled by the end of 2019, it seems that the new Aston Martin Vantage Roadster launch has been postponed for the first half of 2020.
At least this is what this entirely naked pre-production prototype has written on the doors, with AstonMartin not being afraid to show a little skin from its future models.
On the other hand, “opening spring 2020” could also be just a tongue-in-cheek reference to the fact that we are not in the convertible season yet, which is why the car has the soft-top closed yet has no camouflage whatsoever.
That said, a 2020 Geneva Motor Show launch remains the best bet for the new Vantage Roadster's unveiling since not that many people buy convertibles in the winter anyway.
Just like its hard-top brother, the new model is to be powered by a version of the Mercedes-AMG 4.0-liter V8 with twin-turbocharging, while the infotainment system and some of the switchgear will also be borrowed from older Mercedes-Benz model.
Unlike the Mercedes-AMG GT donor for the engine, the Vantage Roadster comes paired with a transaxle eight-speed automatic gearbox from ZF, with a manual transmission expected to become available sometime next year, but only in the eventuality of an AMR Roadster.
Exclusively offered on the AMR version when it comes to the Vantage Coupe, Aston's manual transmission is a motorsport-inspired seven-speed “dog-leg” gearbox, with the first gear being to the left and down, where second is found in other manuals.
The Vantage Roadster's predecessor also had a V12 and a V12 S version, and purists will probably rejoice at the news that the new model will have those also. Don't expect them in 2020, though, since not even the Coupe has got the twin-turbocharged, 5.2-liter V12 from the DB11 yet.
On the other hand, “opening spring 2020” could also be just a tongue-in-cheek reference to the fact that we are not in the convertible season yet, which is why the car has the soft-top closed yet has no camouflage whatsoever.
That said, a 2020 Geneva Motor Show launch remains the best bet for the new Vantage Roadster's unveiling since not that many people buy convertibles in the winter anyway.
Just like its hard-top brother, the new model is to be powered by a version of the Mercedes-AMG 4.0-liter V8 with twin-turbocharging, while the infotainment system and some of the switchgear will also be borrowed from older Mercedes-Benz model.
Unlike the Mercedes-AMG GT donor for the engine, the Vantage Roadster comes paired with a transaxle eight-speed automatic gearbox from ZF, with a manual transmission expected to become available sometime next year, but only in the eventuality of an AMR Roadster.
Exclusively offered on the AMR version when it comes to the Vantage Coupe, Aston's manual transmission is a motorsport-inspired seven-speed “dog-leg” gearbox, with the first gear being to the left and down, where second is found in other manuals.
The Vantage Roadster's predecessor also had a V12 and a V12 S version, and purists will probably rejoice at the news that the new model will have those also. Don't expect them in 2020, though, since not even the Coupe has got the twin-turbocharged, 5.2-liter V12 from the DB11 yet.
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