A STUNNING new 600 horsepower performance concept car, the V12 Vantage RS, was unveiled at the official opening of Aston Martin's first dedicated design centre in Gaydon, near Banbury.

The V12 Vantage RS concept is based on Aston Martin's critically acclaimed V8 Vantage coupe, but the company's design and engineering team have fully exploited the design flexibility of their chassis and the motorsport development of their 6.0-litre V12 engine to create a dramatic and production feasible concept car.

In a speech to the 700 assembled guests, Dr Ulrich Bez, Aston Martin chief executive, said: "Over the last five years, we have established a reputation for presenting fully functional, feasible concept cars, and the V12 Vantage RS is no exception.

"We will listen with interest to feedback on this concept and, as ever, if there is sufficient demand then we will seriously consider a low volume production run in the near future with a price that will reflect the exclusivity of the car.

"With our dedicated production facilities, our own engine plant, our own unique vehicle architecture and now a dedicated design studio, we have the ideal framework to bring new models such as this to market and to further establish Aston Martin as the ultimate independent luxury sports car company."

Although the 600 horsepower output of the V12 Vantage RS concept will be the focus of attention, just as significant is the level of weight reduction achieved by Aston Martin's engineering team. With a kerb weight of less than 1,600kg, the RS concept underlines Aston Martin's continued commitment to intelligent use of materials and weight reduction.