Aston Martin unleashes Vantage N400 and DB9 LM: first official pictures

By Ben Pulman

First Official Pictures

07 September 2007 09:00

Bit bright for an Aston…

Yes, this orange hue is somewhat retina-searing. But don’t worry because this limited edition V8 Vantage N400 is available in other colours. However, it is this Karussell Orange that gives a clue to what this V8 Vantage is all about. It’s built to commemorate Aston’s achievements at the Nurburgring, where the V8 Vantage N24 has competed for the past two years. The Karussell is one of the most famous, and challenging, corners at the ‘Ring. But the N400 is no stripped out racer because it comes as standard with sat-nav, cruise control and heated electrical seats. Don’t fret, because there’s also a 400bhp 4.3-litre V8 under the bonnet, plus a Sport Pack that should filter down to the rest of the range soon. The Sports Pack comes with uprated springs and dampers, a new rear anti-roll bar, plus lightweight alloy wheels. Just 480 will be made, half as coupes and half as roadsters. Why 480? Because that’s how many seconds there are in eight minutes. And it’s the eight minute barrier that the N400 has just dipped below while lapping the ‘Ring. The car is available with an auto or manual gearbox and prices should start from £92,000.

This is the DB9 LM and it is a lot more reserved than the tangerine-coloured V8 N400. This car is built to celebrate Aston’s victory in the GT1 class earlier this year at Le Mans. It comes as standard with the DB9’s Sports Pack. The rest of the changes are purely cosmetic, including a smoked-chrome mesh grille, red brake calipers, unique interior trimmings and the aptly named Sarthe Silver paint. Aston will build 124 DB9 LMs because it finished first at a 24-hour race. Hence 1-24, 124… and yours for £124,000… Both cars will be unveiled next week at the Frankfurt Motor Show, but if this DB9 isn't your thing then remember Aston Martin will also be showing the stunning DBS on its Frankfurt stand, and that’s the sort of DB9 we want.

By Ben Pulman