Encore: Aston Martin’s V600 bids a fabulous farewell to the iconic Vantage

Aston Martin has been on a product offensive over the past two years, kicking off with the DB11 grand tourer in 2016 and the soon-to-be-unveiled DBS.

The British carmaker’s most recent launch was the all-new Vantage, replacing the iconic model that has been on sale for the past 13 years. The new version is due to reach pre-order customers in the next few weeks.

The previous generation Vantage was a resounding success when it launched in 2005. It received critical acclaim from the experts and was a popular choice for buyers looking for a sports car for less than £100,000.

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With the new Vantage set to be another hit in the showrooms, Aston Martin is bidding farewell to the previous generation model with a special V600 version.

The Vantage V600 has been designed by Aston Martin’s special operations team, known as the Q branch, and will be limited to a production run of just 14 examples. These are split into two models: seven coupes and seven convertibles.

Each version is fitted with a naturally aspirated 6.0-litre V12 engine that produces 592bhp, which matches the output of the 2015 limited edition GT12 - Aston Martin’s most powerful Vantage to date.

Other technical highlights include the V600’s seven-speed manual gearbox, a feature that will surely appeal to petrolheads, along with dual independent wishbone suspension at the front and rear of the car. This system should help the V600 perform well through corners, without compromising ride comfort.

The V600’s styling is also noticeably more muscular and sporty than the regular version of the previous Vantage.

At the front, the V600’s sizeable grille has been taken from the company’s track-only Vantage AMR Pro, while the car’s wider wheel arches are derived from the hardcore GT12 and GT8 models.

A new design feature that isn’t present on any other Vantage can be found on the bonnet. Gone are the old car’s of carbon fibre air inlets, and in their place are two thin rows of small holes to improve cooling.

The rear of the car gets a similar carbon fibre diffuser to the GT12 and GT8, only the V600 version is equipped with a quad exhaust layout.

On the inside, Aston Martin has covered the cabin with carbon fibre panels and strips of leather. Racing-inspired bucket seats come as standard and have a unique quilted design.

The company hasn’t revealed how much each model costs, but expect it to be significantly more than the all new Vantage’s £130,000 price tag.

But you’ll need to be quick to get your reservation in for a Vantage V600, as limited-edition Aston Martins often sell out within days of going on sale.