As impressive as current Aston Martins are, it is a shame the automaker’s 5.9-liter, naturally aspirated V12 is no longer in use. This engine was lauded for its performance and the sound it produced and was one of the key ingredients that made modern Astons so special.
To celebrate this engine in all of its glory, Lovecars recently gathered together two of the final Aston Martins that used it. First is the eye-catching Vantage GT12, featured here in a bright shade of green more fitting of a Lamborghini than a British sports car.
In the GT12, the engine is good for 592 hp and 461 lb-ft (625 Nm) of torque. The car tips the scales at 1,565 kg (3,450 lbs) and will apparently hit 62 mph (100 km/h) in 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 185 mph (298 km/h). It’s worth pointing out, however, that the GT12 was not designed to be a straight-line weapon and is instead more focused on on-track performance.
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In the other corner comes the Aston Martin Vanquish S Volante. It also uses the marque’s 5.9-liter V12, but has 595 hp and 465 lb-ft (630 Nm) of torque. However, at 1,739 kg (3,833 lbs), it weighs significantly more than the Vantage GT12.
Off the line, both cars launch with just a touch of wheel spin. As they sprint down the runway, they remain neck and neck but, as the race progresses, the superior power-to-weight ratio of the GT12 sees it slowly overtake the Vanquish and finish roughly one car length ahead.