Aston Martin to launch special Vantage S

The Australia Grand Prix at Albert Park in Melbourne will be the venue for the formal unveiling of new, limited-edition V8 and V12 variants of the Aston Martin Vantage S.

Named the Red Bull Racing edition in tribute to the F1 team, the Vantage S will feature the signatures of either Red Bull Racing driver, Daniel Ricciardo or Max Verstappen, adorning each car's sill plates and inspection plates. Buyers can specify the signature of the preferred driver when ordering the car.

Additionally, the Vantage S RBR will adopt some of the visual cues of the F1 racing cars.

Two colours will be offered: Mariana Blue and Tungsten Silver. The former will also be available in a matt ('satin') finish. Other styling elements setting the special edition from the mainstream Vantage S include carbon-fibre splitter, diffuser, grille and side strakes, red inserts for the carbon fibre grille and yellow calipers.

The cabin is replete with Red Bull Racing headrest embroidery, carbon-fibre decor, diamond-quilting and an Alcantara steering wheel with 12 o'clock accent stripe.

The manufacturer's own 'in-house personalisation service', Q by Aston Martin, is the team behind the development of the enhanced Vantage S, which will be sold in Australia, priced from $259,995. Local deliveries are expected to commence from the second quarter of this year.

"Motorsport is and will always be a key part of Aston Martin's DNA and both the V8 and V12 Vantage S Red Bull Racing Editions bring that ethos straight to our customers," says Andy Palmer, Aston Martin President and CEO.

"With the 2017 FIA Formula 1 World Championship set to begin soon, I hope that the purchase of these models will bring the racing season that little bit closer for those lucky few customers who can't wait for it to begin".