Aston Martin Vantage AMR revealed with a manual gearbox

The new Aston Martin Vantage AMR is now available with a seven-speed manual gearbox. The limited-edition model draws on the brand’s racing history and is said to deliver the ultimate driving experience for Vantage customers. Only 200 will be produced globally, with UK cars starting at £149,995. Deliveries will start before the end of 2019.

Just like the standard car, the Vantage AMR has a Mercedes-sourced 503bhp 4.0-litre V8 engine and a top speed of 195mph. However, the manual gearbox actually makes the car slower from 0-62mph: the AMR takes four seconds flat, while the standard auto completes the sprint in 3.6 seconds.

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Aston Martin promised to make a Vantage with a manual in order to maximise driver engagement. A seven-speed manual gearbox is a rare thing, and the one in the Vantage AMR has first gear positioned in a ‘dog-leg’ formation. In other words, first gear is where you would traditionally expect second to be, then second through to seventh gears are laid out in a traditional H-pattern because they’re the ones used most often.

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The gearbox is mated to a limited slip differential and features AMSHIFT software to blip the accelerator under braking to make slowing down and cornering smoother. The software also allows you to change up at speed, so you don’t have to take your foot off the accelerator pedal.

The gearbox, plus new carbon-fibre brakes, have shaved 95kg off the Vantage’s weight. An adaptive suspension system has different modes for Sport, Sport+ and Track - a Comfort mode is noticeable by its absence.

The Vantage AMR will be available in four colours but 59 of the 200 units will celebrate the 60th anniversary of Aston Martin’s 1959 Le Mans win. These ‘Vantage 59’ models (as shown in these images) will all be sold in a dark green and lime paint scheme, while their interiors will be a mix of leather, Alcantara suede and lime stitching. While most AMRs will start at £149,995, the Vantage 59 versions will cost £164,995.

Aston Martin CEO, Dr. Andy Palmer, suggests the AMR is an old-school car that offers pure driving pleasure: “When I joined this company, customers asked and, as a gearbox engineer and racer, I promised that we would always offer a manual transmission in our line-up. The Vantage AMR not only honours that commitment but sets us apart from our competitors in continuing to offer a three-pedal option.

“In a world of autonomous robo-taxis, Aston Martin will continue to advance the art and science of performance driving. With the Vantage AMR, we have created a thoroughly modern sports car that rewards effort and focus from the driver; the antidote to driving a computer game.”

Trying to decide between a manual or an automatic for your next car? Read our guide with all the advantages and disadvantages of each option.