The Aston Martin Vantage F1 Edition is based on the Official Safety Car for Formula 1 and features incremental improvements across multiple areas of the Vantage F1 Edition’s powertrain, chassis and aerodynamics.
Power increases in the new Vantage F1 Edition to 393kW; up 18kW from the standard Vantage.
A core production offering, the new Vantage F1® Edition sits at the top of the Vantage model line. Motivated by an exciting return to Formula 1® and as a direct result of the engineering that went into the development of the Vantage as an Official Safety Car of Formula 1®, which makes its debut at the Formula 1® Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2021 this month, the Vantage F1® Edition is the ultimate expression of performance and dynamism; it is the fastest and most focused of the already sporting Vantage .
Not only is it the most powerful, but the Vantage F1® Edition benefits from unique and significant chassis and aerodynamic improvements developed by Aston Martin’s hugely experienced engineering team. While the luxury brand’s Aston Martin Cognizant Formula OneTM team was busy preparing a return to the grid, the engineering team behind the infamous road cars were too, creating the ultimate Aston Martin Vantage which could take on the role of an Official Safety Car of Formula 1®. Set to work by Chief Executive Officer, Tobias Moers, the task was to develop significant performance enhancements, driven by improved lap time performance in order to successfully carry out its role on the F1® track, but without compromising its on-road capabilities. Notably, it would do so without the fitment of aggressively track-optimised tyres. Following the success of these enhancements, Moers instructed the integration of these into the production car, ultimately developing the new Vantage F1® Edition. The most sporting Vantage in the production range and in essence, a replica of the Vantage Official Safety Car of Formula 1®. An exciting proposition for Aston Martin customers.
The new Vantage F1 Edition celebrates the marque’s return to Formula 1 for the first time in over 60 years. It is also the first core model to benefit from direct input from Aston Martin’s recently appointed new Chief Executive Officer, Tobias Moers.
The new Vantage F1 Edition sits at the top of the Vantage model line. Motivated by an exciting return to Formula 1 and as a direct result of the engineering that went into the development of the Vantage as an Official Safety Car of Formula 1 (which will make its debut at the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2021), the Vantage F1 Edition is the ultimate expression of performance and dynamism; the fastest and most focused of the already sporting Vantage.
Not only is it the most powerful, but the Vantage F1 Edition benefits from unique and significant chassis and aerodynamic improvements developed by Aston Martin’s hugely experienced engineering team.
While the luxury brand’s Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One team was busy preparing a return to the grid, the engineering team behind the infamous road cars were too, creating the ultimate Aston Martin Vantage which could take on the role of an Official Safety Car of Formula 1.
Set to work by Chief Executive Officer, Tobias Moers, the task was to develop significant performance enhancements, driven by improved lap time performance to successfully carry out its role on the F1 track, but without compromising its on-road capabilities. Notably, it would do so without the fitment of aggressively track-optimised tyres. Following the success of these enhancements, Moers instructed the integration of these into the production car, ultimately developing the new Vantage F1 Edition.
The most sporting Vantage in the production range, the new model is in essence a replica of the Vantage Official Safety Car of Formula 1.
The engineering team targeted intelligent, incremental improvements across multiple areas of the Vantage F1 Edition’s powertrain, chassis, and aerodynamics to bring out more character, increase tactility and expand its outright capabilities.
Starting with the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine, power is up by 18kW to a new maximum of 393kW. Peak torque remains unchanged at 685Nm, but that peak is sustained for longer to further increase tractability and in-gear urgency. This relentless, muscular performance has been further enhanced by work to the eight-speed automatic transmission, with an optimised torque cut during upshifts that reduces shift times and increases the feeling of directness and precision.
Moving to the chassis, the team’s focus centred on the suspension and steering, with further detailed underbody modifications to increase front structural stiffness for a further improvement in steering feel and response. Reworked damper internals have increased the dampers’ effective force range. This increase in bandwidth brings a noticeable improvement in vertical body control, both through high-speed compressions and over crests, without any deterioration in low-speed compliance.
To compliment changes to the dampers, the chassis also benefits from increased rear spring rate and lateral stiffness to help sharpen turn-in, increase traction (especially over bumps) and ensure the rear-end is tuned to compliment the front-end’s rate of response. Further improvements to response and - crucially - to what the driver feels have been made to the steering system, allowing feedback from the road to be transmitted more clearly, which in turn helps build a detailed sense of available grip.
With the chassis hardware optimised, attention turned to the wheels and tyres, increasing from 20” on the regular Vantage to 21” as standard for the Vantage F1 Edition. Developed specifically for the F1 Edition with Pirelli, it is the first time Vantage has been fitted with 21” tyres.
Completing the Vantage F1 Edition’s performance enhancements is a comprehensive aero kit, bringing improvements that can be felt from the driver’s seat and measured against the clock. Designed to deliver positive front and rear downforce, totalling 200kg more downforce than Vantage at top speed – as well as optimising the overall balance of the car, the aerodynamic changes comprise a full-width front splitter, front dive planes, underbody turning vanes, and – most obviously – the new rear wing. The rear diffuser remains unchanged but is still a core feature in the delivery of the aerodynamic performance working in tandem with the new aerodynamic features.
The Vantage F1 Edition expresses its intensified performance with limited, yet distinctive colour palettes and trim options, including one that celebrates Aston Martin’s return to Formula 1 with an Aston Martin Racing Green colour scheme, mimicking that of the Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One Team car, as well as the Official Safety Car of Formula 1.
The Vantage F1 Edition, available as both a Coupe and Roadster, is further distinguished by its vaned grille as standard, 2x2 Twill Carbon Fibre exterior detailing, unique graphics, quad exhausts and a new design of Satin Black Diamond Turned 21” alloy wheel.
First local deliveries in New Zealand will commence during Q4 2021.
Learn more about the most track-focused Vantage to date.
