It feels like we?ve been saying goodbye to the Aston Martin Vantage for several years, but the new AMR limited editions really do represent the final few dates of a long-running farewell tour. We know that a next-generation car powered by the Mercedes-AMG twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 engine will be appearing imminently?expect to see it in the next couple of months?meaning the various AMR versions mark the end of the current generation.
While they mark a stylish departure, don?t go rushing to your local Aston Martin dealer if you?re interested. We?re told that the AMR variants won?t be coming to the United States, so buying one would mean owning property in one (or more) of the territories where it is going to be sold: Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. The AMR will be a strictly limited run, with just 200 V-8 and 100 V-12 versions set to be produced, with that further split between coupe and roadster versions according to demand. As we reported in March from the Geneva motor show, the AMR brand will be used to designate Aston?s higher-performance models. Or maybe that should be ?even higher performance? models; it?s not as if the stock Vantage is grievously lacking in firepower. The Vantage AMR Pro that was shown at that time was a limited-to-seven, track-only special, but the “regular” AMR will be street-legal and is inspired by the company?s various GT3 and GTE Vantage racers (hence the decision to launch it just before this year?s 24 Hours of Le Mans r...