The price of the official F1 safety car starts at 2.238 million yuan, and the all-new Aston Martin Vantage will be delivered in China this year

Reporter Guo Yangchen and Quartz Jing report from Shanghai

(Aston Martin's new Vantage was relaunched during the F1 Chinese Grand Prix.) (Image: Aston Martin)

From April 19 to 21, the FIA Formula One World Championship (F1) Chinese Grand Prix returned to Shanghai after a five-year absence, marking the first time the Aston Martin Saudi Aramco F1 Team competed in F1 in China. The team's Spaniard's 'Double World Champion' Fernando Alonso was particularly impressive, making his 16th appearance in Shanghai, finishing third in both sprint and qualifying and taking the 'fastest lap' in the race.

The reporter of "China Business Daily" learned that the Aston Martin elements of F1 races are not only that, but the new Vantage, an ultra-luxury high-performance sports car, will serve as the official safety car of F1 in the 2024 season, which is also the fourth consecutive year that the Vantage model has served as the official safety car of F1. In addition, the all-new Vantage has also been officially launched in China during the F1 Chinese Grand Prix, with prices starting at CNY 2.238 million and deliveries starting in 2024.

In Aston Martin's view, as a brand with 100 years of track genes, Aston Martin is born with faster and stronger racing genes, and its pursuit of extreme driving is highly compatible with the competitive spirit of Formula 1. The launch of the all-new Vantage will further strengthen the brand's position in the ultra-luxury high-performance sports car market and inject new vitality into China's ultra-luxury car market.

"I am convinced that the all-new Vantage will be a perfect match for the expectations of Chinese fans. Our Chinese fans stand out for their youthful nature, and Vantage owners are the best among them, with a global outlook, a wealth of automotive knowledge and a desire to drive the ultimate in excellence. And the all-new Vantage is Aston Martin's masterpiece for those who want to do it. Aston Martin Greater China President An Haolan further said.

The all-new Vantage is officially launched in China

The reporter learned that in the 100-year history of Aston Martin, Vantage's glorious history is as long as 74 years. From the first use of the "Vantage" in the DB2 engine upgrade kit, to the 1964 marking of the DB5's high-performance flagship, to the official launch of the standalone Vantage by Aston Martin in the early 70s of the 20th century.

In February 2024, Aston Martin's all-new Vantage was unveiled worldwide. Two months later, on April 19, the model officially unveiled to Chinese consumers, and deliveries are scheduled to begin in the Chinese market by the end of 2024.

According to reports, in terms of power, the new Vantage is equipped with a greatly upgraded hand-crafted 4.0-liter V8 twin-turbo engine, with a maximum power of 665 horsepower and a peak torque of 800 Nm, with a ZF 8-speed automatic transmission, with a top speed of 325 km / h, and an acceleration of 0-100 km / h in only 3.5 seconds, which is the fastest model in the history of the Vantage car series.

Aston Martin officials said that through Aston Martin's Q Customisation service, owners can also choose from three core livery designs and 21 livery colours, further enhancing the personalisation of the new Vantage.

"As we enter a pivotal period of change in the world of high-performance sports cars, where it is essential to maintain the quality on which the legendary brand depends, the all-new Vantage pushes high performance to the extreme. Aston Martin CEO Amideo Felisa believes that the use of the latest technology in a perfectly balanced front-rear-wheel drive chassis on top of class-leading power and performance ultimately results in an exhilarating sports car. Coupled with a robust exterior, an all-new interior and a state-of-the-art infotainment system, the all-new Vantage stands out in every way.

In recent years, Aston Martin has accelerated the pace of product renewal. It is reported that in addition to the all-new Vantage, the all-new DB12 is also scheduled to start the first batch of new car deliveries in the Chinese market in the third quarter of 2024, with a domestic price starting at 2.518 million yuan.

Previously, according to Aston Martin Executive Chairman Lawrence Stoll, in 2024, the third all-new model of Aston Martin's new generation of sports cars will also be released. "Following the successful refresh of the DB12 and the all-new Vantage, the launch of this new model will further cement Aston Martin's position as the industry leader in ultra-luxury front-engined models. ”

2.238 million yuan can win the F1 safety car

From April 19th to 21st, the F1 Chinese Grand Prix was successfully held at the Shanghai Circuit, attracting more than 200,000 fans. It is worth noting that Aston Martin's new Vantage will serve as the official safety car of F1 for the 2024 season, while the DBX707 will serve as the medical car of F1.

The reporter learned from Aston Martin that the official recommended retail price of the new Vantage is 2.238 million yuan. In other words, Chinese consumers can spend 2.238 million yuan to become the owner of an official F1 safety car.

"As our fastest and most driver-focused car to date, the all-new Vantage embodies the core essence of the Aston Martin brand and we are proud to play an important role in FIA Formula 1. Marco Matthiacchi, Aston Martin's Global Chief Brand Officer and Commercial Officer, said fans will not only see the Aston Martin Saudi Aramco F1 Team AMR24 on the track, but also the new Aston Martin Vantage and DBX707, which will further strengthen the synergy between motorsport and Aston Martin.

Before becoming the official safety car of F1, the all-new Vantage underwent a rigorous testing process. According to reports, the new Vantage F1 official safety car comes with an additional modified bottom aerodynamic package, as well as an extended front splitter. To further increase downforce, an angle-adjustable rear wing is installed at the rear of the vehicle. At the same time, the FIA light bar also features a new aerodynamic design, as the safety body is followed by an extremely sensitive Formula 1 car that is sensitive to tyre temperatures.

Aston Martin officials told reporters that the new Vantage safety car is equipped with various control systems designed to help drivers and passengers perform their respective duties. In order to ensure the stability of safety car driver Bernd Melander and his passengers at high speeds, the production seats were replaced by racing seats. The centre console has been carefully customised with switchgear to operate the FIA system, a real-time lap display, position tracking of all cars on the track, and a rearview camera screen to ensure the driver is fully aware of the course dynamics.

"Driving the new Aston Martin Vantage is undoubtedly a pleasure. Aston Martin has an incredible pedigree, and the all-new Vantage is the most powerful model in the range to date. My first impression of it was excellent, as as soon as I sat in the cab, I immediately felt a significant increase in handling and power. My job dictated that I needed a high-performance car that could react quickly and safely when I received a call from a track deployment, and the all-new Vantage provided us with that exceptional capability. F1 safety car driver Bernd Melander commented.

(Editor: Quartz Jing Review: Tong Haihua Proofreader: Zhang Guogang)