The Aston Martin V8 Vantage N400 unveiled last September at the Frankfurt Motor Show will be joined by this roadster. Like its closed coupe brother, the N400 Roadster features an upgraded version of the Vantage V8's 4.3L engine producing 400 HP and 309 lb-ft of torque. That's a full 20 horsepower more than what's included in a standard Vantage V8 thanks to a thorough overhaul of the engine's internal components and the addition of a freer flowing exhaust and air intake. Other N400 enhancements include a Sport Pack that dials down the suspension for sharper handling, as well as new side sills, trunk lid, clear rear lamp lenses, mesh for the side strakes and a "bright finish grille".

It's being reported that Aston Martin will only build 240 actual examples of the car, so get in line early.

The V8 Vantage N400 commemorates Aston Martin’s achievements at the Nϋrburgring where the company enjoyed success in the gruelling ADAC 24-hour race with the V8 Vantage N24 production race car. Aston Martin develops and tests all of its road cars extensively on the Nϋrburgring Nordschleife circuit and the Vantage N400 recently broke the eight minute benchmark around the legendary 14-mile circuit.

The Vantage N400 includes a number of technical improvements as well as enhancements to the car’s standard range of renowned colour and trim specifications. These include a power upgrade to Aston Martin’s 4.3 litre V8 engine, lifting peak power to 400bhp and peak torque to 420Nm. The car also comes equipped with a new Sports Pack which offers subtly different driving dynamics tailored to enthusiasts who seek even more responsive handling. The Sports Pack comprises a unique lightweight graphite-finished aluminium wheel with diamond turning, up-rated springs and dampers and a new rear anti-roll bar (for the Coupe). The Vantage N400 also includes a number of exterior design changes, including a revised side sill design, Magnum Silver bonnet and side strake meshes, clear rear lamp lenses and a bright finish grille.

Interior enhancements include perforated black leather seats, micro-spin alloy facia trim and a unique numbered sill plaque. The Vantage N400 will be available in three new exterior colours; Bergwerk Black, Lightning Silver or Karussell Orange, with either Sportshift automated manual or conventional manual transmission and in either Coupe or Roadster forms. Additionally, the Vantage N400 comes equipped with a range of normally optional equipment, including Satellite Navigation, 700W Aston Martin Premium Audio System, Bluetooth telephone preparation, HID headlamps, cruise control and memory/heated seats.

Aston Martin has taken the wraps off of its V12 Vantage RS today at the unveiling of its new design studio. Powered by a 600 horsepower V12 borrowed from the DBRS9 racecar, the 3,500 pound Vantage is said to go from 0-60 in less than four seconds and hit a top speed of 200 mph.

Although technically a concept, it is believed that a version of the car will see limited production sometime next year with a price tag north of the DBS'. The V12 Vantage RS will also have a number of other performance upgrades, such as carbon-ceramic brake rotors.

Good keeps getting better over at Aston Martin, who never seem to tire of making their sports cars faster and faster. The latest in the speed wars from their new headquarters in Gaydon is this adrenaline-dripping special-edition V12 Vantage RS.

Into what could very well prove to be the fastest, hottest Aston Martin yet, the newly independent British automaker has dropped the V12 reactor not from the recently demised Vanquish, not from the road-going DB9 or Bond-tastic DBS derivative, but from the DBRS9 race car. With somewhere in the neighborhood of 600 horsepower (!) pushing 3500 lbs, the V12 Vantage RS is anticipated to clock a 0-60 time in the 3's on its way to a 200-mph top speed. Performance target: Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano. That's highly ambitious, considering that the Fiorano is widely acclaimed as one of the most competent supercars on the planet, but with that kind of juice in such a brilliant package as the Vantage's, it might not be so far-fetched.

At the time of writing, AutoWeek was the only source carrying the information, and we hope to have more details soon on the special Vantage which was unveiled earlier today on the occasion of the company's new design center. Although it was launched as a concept, sources suggest it could very well find its way into limited production and slot into the Aston Martin line-up above the current flagship DBS. We certainly hope so.