Aston Martin Vantage S ‘Red Bull Racing Edition’ revealed

Aston Martin has unveiled its new Vantage S Red Bull Racing Edition ahead of this weekend’s opening round of the 2017 F1 season.

The car made its global debut at Melbourne’s new Aston Martin dealership in Richmond at an event attended by Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer, Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner and drivers Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen.

Limited to just 200 units globally, with 17 allocated to Australia, each Vantage RBR sports the signature of either Verstappen or Ricciardo on the sill plates and under-bonnet plaque to celebrate the two brands’ ‘innovation partnership’ which has led to Red Bull Racing’s aero wizard, Adrian Newey, collaborating with Aston Martin on its new Valkyrie hypercar.

Available with either a 321kW/490Nm 4.7-litre V8 or 421kW/620Nm 5.9-litre V12, the Vantage RBR is offered as standard with a Mariana Blue finish, offset by red grille highlights, yellow brake calipers and a carbon fibre splitter, diffuser, grille and side strakes. Tungsten Silver and satin Mariana Blue paintwork is also available.

Inside, the Red Bull Racing logo is embroidered on the headrest, there’s a full-leather steering wheel and carbon-fibre trim inlays. The Vantage RBR is a last hurrah for the current-generation model, which has been on-sale since 2005, with an all-new Vantage, powered by AMG’s 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, expected by the end of 2017.

The V8 Vantage S RBR starts as $259,995 driveaway while the V12 is offered from $422,770 plus on-road costs. Aston Martin’s new Vanquish S flagship also made its first Australian appearance, with the 447kW super GT priced from $489,950 plus on-road costs.