Performance Review: Aston-Martin Vantage V12 Zagato - [2012]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Aston-Martin Vantage Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Aston-Martin Vantage V12 Zagato is the 6 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 2012. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2012 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged.This particular Aston-Martin Vantage has a 5935cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 12 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V12's includes the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Spider 6.5 V12

The Vantage shares its Petrol V12 engine configuration with the likes of the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Spider 6.5 V12 and the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Coupe 6.5 V12. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Vantage's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1680 kgs (3703 lbs) this makes the Aston-Martin Vantage V12 Zagato in the same weight category as the 2023 Aston-Martin Valour 5.2 V12 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Aston-Martin Vantage shares the same bhp with the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (500 bhp)

In terms of power the 5935cc 48V V12 engine produces 510 bhp (380 kW) @ 6500 rpm similar to the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (500 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 (493 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V12 throws out 420 lb-ft (569.4 Nm) @ 5750 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (418 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (443 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Aston-Martin Vantage you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2013 Porsche 911 Turbo S 991 (328.5 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Aston-Martin Vantage.

The Aston-Martin Vantage has a Power to weight ratio of 303.5 bhp per ton and 250.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2012 Vantage competing with the 2013 Porsche 911 Turbo S 991 (328.5 bhp per ton) or the 2013 Jaguar XK R-S GT 5.0 V8 (328.4 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Aston-Martin Vantage generating around 250.0 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2017 BMW 5 Series 540d xDrive G30 (275.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 2018 Bentley Continental GT 6.0 W12 Convertible (275.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.10 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.2 secs, this made the Aston-Martin Vantage V12 Zagato as fast as the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (4.10 secs) the 2022 BMW XM 4.4 V8 Twin Turbo G09 (4.10 secs) the 2022 BMW 2 Series M2 3.0 Twin Turbo G87 (4.10 secs) the or the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged (4.10 secs). This Aston-Martin Vantage V12 Zagato is also faster than the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (4.20 secs) the 2021 BMW 2 Series M240i xDrive 3.0 Turbo G42 (4.20 secs) the 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 5.2 V8 (4.20 secs) the and the 2020 Lotus Elise Sport 220 1.8 Supercharged (4.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Vantage and the 2004 Mercedes SLK Class 55 AMG

When talking about the performance of the Aston-Martin Vantage on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.28 secs @ 111.4 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2004 Mercedes SLK Class 55 AMG (12.23 secs), the 1997 Porsche 911 Carrera 996 (12.23 secs), and the 1969 Pontiac GTO The Judge 6.5L V8 (12.23 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2012 version of the Aston-Martin Vantage V12 Zagato has a maximum speed of 190mph.

Top Speed of the 2012 Vantage equals the 2020 Lamborghini Huracan EVO 5.2 V10 RWD Spyder (201 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2012 Aston-Martin Vantage V12 Zagato then how about the 2020 Lamborghini Huracan EVO 5.2 V10 RWD Spyder (201 mph), the 2020 Audi R8 5.2 V10 (201 mph), or the 2019 Audi R8 5.2 V10 RWD (201 mph).

Related Links:

2012 Vantage Rivals List.

A Brief History of Aston-Martin

Car Comparison