Aston Martin Vantage AMR is our Stick-Shifting Dream Car
Dual-clutch gearboxes and automated manuals are great, but nothing beats a stick-shift for true immersive motoring. Aston Martin heeds the call, with its seven-speed Vantage AMR.
How to make lime details not look ridiculous
Notice how the grille trim color matches the racing stripe, as well as those on the seats? This is Aston Martin's standard practice: the art of building striking cars, without ever looking crass. And this Vantage AMR, has something very special about it.
Looks good from the front - nearly better from here
The Vantage AMR's rear design is high art. Notice its integrated taillights, which span nearly the entire rear width of the rear fascia. And that substantial diffuser too - which frames the lower bumper, and is flanked by quad exhaust pipes. And those exhausts mean business: this Aston is powered by a 4-liter twin-turbocharged V8.
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A number of significance
The hood graphic shows off this Vantage '59' detailing. The number has special significance for Aston Martin. It datelines when the brand achieved its famous 1959 Le Mans 24-hour race victory, with the legendary DBR1. A carbon-fiber grille surround adds the requisite motorsport touch.
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Go to match the show
The Vantage AMR is light. At 3,164 lbs, it registers a curb weight 209lb lighter than a conventional Vantage, thanks to a collection of carbon components, including those fabulous lime green carbon-ceramic brakes. Performance from the 510-hp AMG V8 is potent: 0-60mph in 3.9 seconds, and a top speed of 195mph is on this Aston's menu.
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Dip the clutch, turn it in - and start that slide
Light, powerful, and rear-wheel drive. It is an age-old formula for driver engagement and the Vantage AMR adds something rather special to that mix: a manual gearbox. The seven-speed stick-shift will appeal to those who revel in total driver engagement and have their rev-matching and downshift declutching technique perfected.
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A big stick, with seven choices
Pride of place on the Aston Martin Vantage AMR's center console goes to that larger stick-shifter. Shaped and positioned to be in the most natural flow of a driver's right hand, it should bring hours of driving pleasure to those fortunate enough to row it along.
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Big stoppers
Up front, the Aston Martin Vantage AMR stops with a set of huge brakes. The two-piece carbon-ceramic discs measure a mighty 16-inches and they promise to deliver corner after corner, and lap after lap, of consistent, fade-free braking. Aston knows that a car with a seven-speed manual transmission is sure to be owned by enthusiasts - who won't be shy of the occasional track day.
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Good and bad news
These lightweight, stick-shifting Vantage AMR's will only ever total a production volume of 200 cars. All are already spoken for and you can be sure they are not going to come cheap in the collectors market - either. But there is good news for those who would like their Aston Martin with a manual shifter. The option of a seven-speed manual will become real on all Vantages produced from the beginning of 2020.