In my first full day as your humble weekend Jalop, it pains me to bring you all sad news. Aston Martin has reportedly discontinued the V12 Vantage, and thus it departs from our earthly realm.
Aston fansite Aston-Martin.com first reported the news from a dealer communiqué, and the company itself has confirmed the information, with a spokesman telling Motor Authority that "the current generation is indeed now done."
Yes, just the current generation, which leaves plenty of room for a new one.
That said, let us doff our caps to the Aston Martin V12 Vantage, a gorgeous little car with a humongonormous V12 somehow shoved into the front end. It was loud, brash, and ridiculous, with extra holes in the hood, and came in roadster, Zagato, GT3,and other forms, and just over 1200 were produced. Vantage, we hardly knew ye.
When we saw you as but a babe concept, we were enamored. We first met you in 2009, and you had lots of trinkets attached that your V8 sibling was not born with. We liked how you moved, and we liked how you sang. We liked you when you grew up and put on a suit, and when we saw you take those steps around the Nurburgring.
Alas, you are no more. We will miss you, first-generation Aston Martin V12 Vantage. You drove well.
At least until the next one.
Photos credit: Aston Martin