Expected to arrive in North American showrooms for the 2025 model year, the mid-cycle refresh of the second-generation Vantage has been spied yet again at the Nurburgring Nordschleife. Not at the racing circuit per se, but at the Aston Martin Test Centre located adjacent to the most grueling racetrack in the world.
Pictured with a black top, the Vantage Roadster in the gallery is unmistakably different from the outgoing model as far as the front end is concerned. From the design of the hood to the headlights and grille, plenty of stuff has been redesigned for the 2025 model year.
Equipped with Michelin rubber boots and black-painted calipers that squeeze on drilled rotors, the camouflaged prototype is pretty similar to the pre-facelift Vantage Roadster out back. From the three rear quarters, you can also notice redesigned side gills on the front fenders. The rear bumper boasts two vents behind the wheels.
The right-hand-drive prototype is thoroughly camouflaged on the inside as well. A camouflage blanket on the top of the dashboard most likely hides a touchscreen infotainment system. We can further look forward to a new center console, new buttons, and new switchgear, which would align the 2025 model year Vantage sports car with the DB12 gran turismo.
Speaking of the DB11-replacing DB12, the prototype appears to flaunt Michelin Pilot Sport 5 S rubber at every corner. According to Aston Martin, the PS5S for the DB12 was specifically tailored to the DB12. The easiest way of telling these Aston Martin-specific tires from off-the-shelf versions is the AML code on the sidewall.
The biggest difference concerns the compound. Aston Martin also tuned the PS5S for precision steering and maximum grip in both dry and wet conditions. Another strong point of the Pilot Sport 5 S is the polyurethane foam insert within the carcass, which lowers noise levels.
Photo: Baldauf
Unfortunately, from this particular set of photos, it's impossible to tell the tire dimensions of the facelifted Vantage. For future reference, the DB12 dons 275/35 R21s up front and 315/30 R21s for the rear axle.
Based on the Second Century vehicle platform of the DB11 and DB12, the 2025 model year Vantage should offer better torsional rigidity and lateral stiffness than the outgoing lineup. Adaptive dampers will come standard, along with a recalibrated electronic power assisted steering system. In the DB12, the EPAS system has a 13.09:1 ratio rack and 2.4 turns lock to lock.
Rather than British automaker's twin-turbocharged V12, which is manufactured in Cologne by Aston Martin, the facelifted Vantage packs AMG's hand-built V8. Merc refers to this version of the 4.0L mill as the M177.
In the DB12, it produces 671 horsepower (680 ps) at 6,000 revolutions per minute and 590 pound-feet (800 Nm) of torque between 2,750 and 6,000 revolutions per minute. By comparison, the Vantage F1 Edition prides itself on 528 horsepower and 505 pound-feet (685 Nm). The only transmission available will come in the form of a torque-converter automatic with eight forward gears. There is a chance for a manual to be offered as well, but alas, only in extremely limited numbers.
As of August 2023, the only manual-equipped Aston Martin is the retro-styled Valour, a V12-engined gran turismo that's limited to 110 examples worldwide.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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