Aston Martin’s Formula One safety car for the road revealed

Aston Martin has unleashed powerful new F1-inspired versions of its Vantage coupe and roadster.

The new Vantage F1 Edition celebrates Aston Martin’s return to Grand Prix racing after a gap of more than 60 years and is based around the specially-created Vantage being used as the official Formula 1 Safety Car at races.

The £142,000 motor has been unveiled ahead of Formula One’s opening race of the 2021 season in Bahrain.

It is the first new Aston Martin variant to be created under the direction of the company’s new chief executive Tobias Moers, with first deliveries set for May. 

Plans for the new uprated and F1-inspired two-door two-seater Vantage were disclosed exclusively by This Is Money earlier this month as Aston Martin unveiled its new F1 race car – with the help of 007 actor Daniel Craig and former Bond actress Gemma Arterton – and which makes its debut at the Bahrain Grand Prix this month.

Power output for the new flagship Vantage F1 Edition – which now sits at the top of the Vantage range – has been increased by 25 horsepower (hp) to 535hp in the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine linked to an even slicker 8-speed automatic gear-box enabling faster gear-shifts.

That will propel the coupe from rest to 60mph in 3.5 seconds up to a top speed of 195mph, with open-topped roadster managing 3.6 seconds and 190mph respectively.

But don’t expect to save the planet – it averages just 24.3mpg and CO2 emissions are a hefty 264g/km (263g/km for the roadster).

Specially-created Pirelli tyres have been increased for the first-time to 21-inch (from the standard 20-inch) on a Vantage.

Significant engineering improvements have been made to the chassis, aerodynamics, suspension, steering and ‘driver-feel.’

Other enhancements include a comprehensive new aero kit a full-width front splitter, front dive planes, underbody turning vanes, and a new rear wing –  these general 200kg more downforce than a conventional Vantage at top speed, says Aston Martin.

Distinctive colour palettes and trim options including an Aston Martin Racing Green colour scheme, mimicking that of the Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One team car and the on-track Safety Car.

Exterior paint colours are available in both a satin or gloss finish. Other options include Jet Black and Lunar White, complimented by a solid matte dark grey racing graphic.

The interior features new Obsidian Black Leather and Phantom Grey Alcantara upholstery and trim, with a choice of Lime Green, Obsidian Black, Wolf Grey or Spicy Red contrast stripe and stitching.

The Vantage F1 Edition is further distinguished by its vaned grille as standard, 2×2 Twill carbon fibre exterior detailing, unique graphics, quad exhausts and a new design of Satin Black Diamond Turned 21” alloy wheel.

Aston Martin said: ‘The Vantage F1 Edition is the ultimate expression of performance and dynamism. It is the fastest and most focused of the already sporting Vantage.’

Directed by CEO Tobias Moers, the British marque continued: ‘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.’

The company added: ‘Following the success of these enhancements, Moers instructed the integration of these into the production car, ultimately developing the new Vantage F1 Edition.

‘It is the most sporting Vantage in the production range and in essence, a replica of the Vantage Official Safety Car of Formula 1’. 

As well as being the first time the brand has secured the prestigious Safety car slot – a specially-engineered DBX sports utility vehicle will also become F1’s official medical car.