Aston Martin Vantage AMR adds manual gearbox to baby sports car

Aston Martin has launched a more enthusiast-focused manual variant of the Vantage called the AMR, which can be had in a retro livery. 

Powered by the same 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 making the same 375kW as the normal Vantage coupe, the AMR’s torque is down by 60Nm, possibly to protect the new seven-speed manual transmission. That’s correct - Aston Martin has added a manual to the Mercedes-AMG-sourced V8 for the first time. 

The manual is like the one in the former Vantage V12 S with a dog-leg first gear and helps contribute - as well as a set of carbon ceramic brakes - to a total weight loss of 95kg. The gearbox features a system called ‘AMShift', which rev-matches on downshifts and even allows drivers to shift without lifting the throttle.

The Vantage AMR sprints from 0-100km/h in 3.9 seconds and hits a top speed of 314km/h. 

Tuned by an ex-Lotus chassis developer, the Vantage AMR features the company’s Skyhook dampers, as well as three different driving modes - Sport, Sport+ and Track - which change the dampers, stability control threshold, steering and throttle response.

Just 200 units of the Vantage AMR will be made, with 59 of those painted in ‘Stirling Green’ paint with a lime stripe and a 59 decal on the nose. The cabin features the same lime green stripe on the seats and doors. 

The Vantage AMR has been confirmed for Australia, though exact timing is yet to be confirmed. The ‘Hero’ spec priced from $369,950 plus on-road costs, while the ’Halo’ is priced from $409,950.

Aston Martin also confirmed that the regular Vantage will receive a manual transmission option in the first quarter of 2020 once production of the AMR has ended.

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