Aston Martin has unveiled new special edition DB9 and V8 Vantage ahead of their public debuts at the Geneva motor show next month.
The Aston Martin V8 Vantage N430 is described as “GT4-inspired” and will be available in coupé and roadster form. It gets a 430bhp version of the brand’s familiar, dry-sumped, 4.7-litre V8 engine previously fitted to the V8 Vantage S. The upshot is a top speed of 306kph and a 0-100kph time of 4.6 seconds.
A six-speed manual transmission is standard, while a “close-ratio” automated manual, combined with a shorter final drive, is optional. The N430 also gets carbonfibre trim and ten-spoke alloys, which together save 10kg. Inside, there are lightweight Kevlar seats, machined carbon sill plaques, black magnesium paddle shifters and carbonfibre facia trim, among other tweaks.
The unusual ‘Club Sport Graphics Pack’ exterior treatment on the N430 is a nod to Aston’s CC100 Speedster concept, says the firm. One optional feature is a new 1000W Bang & Olufsen audio system.
Ian Minards, director of product development, says the N430 is “all about bringing track-honed excitement to the road in an accessible, emotionally engaging and authentically ‘analogue’ way”.
The DB9 Carbon Black and Carbon White will also be unveiled in Geneva. Both are limited editions which use their strong body colours to act as a contrast to their carbonfibre fittings and detailing. Both models come with 20-inch, ten-spoke forged wheels and a carbonfibre splitter, diffuser and mirror caps, while the windows get black surrounds. Powered by the AM11 V12 engine, both cars get 510bhp