Aston Martin Vantage AMR Loses Weight, Gains A 7-Speed Manual

The manual transmission will live on in the normal Vantage from 2020

Aston Martin Vantage AMR

Aston Martin limited the Vantage AMR production run to 200 units.

When Aston Martin launched the new Vantage, it came packing an AMG-sourced 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 with 503 horsepower and a 0-60 time under 4 seconds. One thing it was missing, however, was its manual transmission — until now.

Meet the new Aston Martin Vantage AMR. It packs a 195 mph top speed and 3.9 second 0-60 time, according to Aston Martin. Most importantly to three-pedal enthusiasts, though, it has a seven-speed manual transmission with a dog-leg shifter. Removing the automatic gearbox and fitting carbon ceramic brakes trimmed over 200 pounds (95 kilograms) off the curb weight. Aston Martin also uses a feature called AMSHIFT, which blips the throttle while braking and shifting to make heel-and-toe driving a bit easier.

Aston Martin Vantage AMR

If you want an Aston Martin Vantage AMR, you’ll have to act quickly. Aston Martin has limited production to just 200 units, in two different versions. 59 of those cars will be the special “Vantage 59” run, in celebration of Aston Martin’s 1959 Le Mans victory with the DB1. That model comes in a Stirling Green and Lime paint scheme, with the signature AMR stripe, and costs from $204,995 in the U.S.

Opt for the 141 other examples of the Aston Martin Vantage AMR, and you’ll spend $179,995. Even after the 200 AMR models sell out, the Vantage hangs on to its manual transmission from next year.

Deliveries of the Aston Martin Vantage AMR will start in late 2019.