Aston Martin Drops V-8 Vantage N420 Edition

At CarThrottle we're suckers for anything Aston Martin and indeed, British luxury. The Vantage is the smallest model in the Aston Martin lineup, with even more of a focus on performance than the others.

Aston is offering those who want even more of a performance emphasis a new model, dubbed the N420. If you'll remember, there was another N performance model in 2007, the N400.

That N420, like the N400, gets its name from its power output. The N400 got a 20-horsepower boost from 380 horsepower. The N420 retains the 420 hp figure of the current Vantage.

The N420 is differentiated by an exterior appearance package, with a body kit that includes wider sills and a new front splitter, side skirts and diffuser made of carbon fiber.

To top off the look, there is 10-spoke diamond-turned alloy wheels with a glossy black finish, black mesh vents and "Graphitic" tailpipe finishers. The carbon fiber bits help to shave 60 pounds (27 kilograms) from the car's curb weight.

Still not different enough for you? The N420 pictured features a paint scheme called Asia Cup, but Aston Martin offers a variety of 'Race Collection' paint options.

Options include Rose yellow, Kermit green and Elwood blue, along with the traditional Aston Martin Racing green.

The N420 includes the normally-optional Sports Pack as standard. The package consists of revised springs, dampers and anti-roll bars  and a new (as in, louder!) exhaust system.

Inside the changes include graphite instruments, leather or Alcantara® steering wheel, N420 sill plaques and lightweight carbon fiber seats that include 'Race Track' stitching like the V-12 Vantage.

The N420 draws inspiration from Aston Martin's entrance into the Nurburgring 24 hours endurance race. In 2006, Aston Martin entered a near-standard V-8 Vantage into the race that includes mostly specially-modified racing vehicles.

The car was driven by a team of employees that included Aston Martin's CEO, Dr Ulrich Bez. The car, called 'Rose' by the team (hence the paint color name) finished 4th in its class and 24th overall. Since then, Aston has entered into the race every year and learned a lot in the process.

Unlike last time with the N400, there appears to be no limit on the amount of N420s sold and it is available in coupe and roadster guises.

Deliveries start in the U.K in August, with the car wearing a price tag of £96,995 (about $147,000 USD), a figure up £13,804 over the base model. There hasn't been any announcement on the car's availability in the United States.