Famous one off hot orange Aston press car

Retina-searing Orange is a colour that car enthusiasts typically associate with a late 1960s Lamborghini Miura or an early 1970s Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7. It is not a hue usually found on an Aston Martin especially a ‘Carbon Black Edition’ one whose siblings all otherwise co-ordinate rather nicely with Darth Vader’s helmet. However, Montana Orange is a fabulous way to make a press car stand out. Hence the reason it was chosen for this unique V12 Vantage; a model that Jeremy Clarkson famously eulogised.

Manufactured in 2011, this stunning 6-speed manual Aston Martin V12 Vantage ‘Carbon Black Edition’ was supplied to the UK, being registered new in January that year. 'KX60 LUY' is a very special and unique car, being the only Carbon Black Edition finished in a colour other than black from the factory. The car would become the famous “orange V12 press car’’ and shows orange from new on its V5C Registration Document.

Take a look here!

Adding to the interesting life that ‘KX60 LUY’ has lived, the car also featured in Series 17, Episode 2 of BBC’s Top Gear. During the Aston Martin Virage test, the car is seen drifting around the track at Dunsfold between a DBS and V8 Vantage. In addition, the car has been regularly filmed and photographed spending its time with hypercar nobility, including the Aston Martin One-77, Pagani Zonda PS, Koenigsegg Agera, Ferrari 599GTO, Bugatti Veyron, Lamborghini Murcielago SV and more.

Showing just 25,148 miles on the odometer at the time of consignment and just two previous owners, this car has desirable optional extras including the Bang & Olufsen premium sound system, carbon ceramic brakes and front & rear parking sensors and has also been updated by the current owner as many Aston Martin owners do, with the power pack upgrade by top specialist David Appleby Engineering including ceramic manifolds and an exhaust switch at a cost of over £7500; giving the car a believed 550-560bhp. A new clutch and flywheel were installed less than 5,000 miles ago. 

‘KX60 LUY’ has also benefited from a professionally installed facelift using genuine Aston Martin parts, consisting of the sought after carbon grille and slightly elongated lower splitter, as well as having small accents professionally painted to modernise the appearance and an interior tint on the rear window. It also appears as though the wheels have been refurbished in black at some point during the vehicle’s life.

‘KX60 LUY’ comes to sale with a fresh MOT and service and has been looked after by Harwoods in Chichester since it was purchased by the current owner in 2015, with extensive service history. A great opportunity to acquire a unique and interesting modern classic with a great story.

History:

On 11 December 2007, as part of Aston Martin's opening of its own design studio, the company unveiled a concept car based on the V8 Vantage. The car, known as the V12 Vantage RS, featured the V12 engine from the DBS and produced 510 bhp (380 kW; 517 PS) and 570 N⋅m (420 lb⋅ft) of torque. The power along with the kerb weight of 1,680 kg (3,704 lb) allowed the car to accelerate from 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 4.2 seconds and achieve a top speed of 190 mph (306 km/h).

Other additions included a new rear diffuser, a retractable rear-wing which could be raised or lowered and carbon-ceramic brakes. The boot-lid and vented bonnet were also made from carbon-fibre to help decrease the car's weight. In early 2008, Aston Martin's CEO confirmed production of the V12 Vantage for mid-2009.

By combining its best chassis, from the V8 Vantage, with its most powerful engine, the V12, Aston Martin created a seriously characterful and exciting machine. At the time of its launch, it was the best car ever made by the struggling British company, which shared its history with Ford and Jaguar and was finally free of the blue oval brand in 2007 to become a private limited company.

Shortly before Christmas 2009, AM announced a pair of similar special editions based on the Vantage and DBS. The Carbon Black models featured bespoke metallic Carbon Black paint especially formulated with a subtle metallic twist to create a deep rich finish.

Inside the cars, owners were greeted to swathes of Obsidian Black leather highlighted with a contrast silver coarse stitch. Lightweight seats formed from Carbon Fibre and Kevlar saving 17 kg over the standard seats also featured together with Piano black facia trim, centre stack and centre console, anodised black tread plates and unique sill plaques built on the carbon theme.

Although it was not a numbered limited edition, the Carbon Black was limited to just a single car per dealer, so they are quite scarce. A second numbered edition of the Carbon Black V12 Vantage was offered in some markets during 2012. The Aston Martin V12 Vantage is tipped by experts to be a future classic, with some stating that the car “ticks all the boxes’’.