Aston V12 Vantage Red Bull Racing Edition for sale

Almost a decade ago now, Aston Martin and Red Bull Racing buddied up. From 2016 until 2020, you might remember, the former sponsored the latter’s F1 team. But there was more to the alliance than just Grand Prix exposure – they were going to build cars together. The AM-RB 001, or Valkyrie as you probably know it now, wasn’t without issues during its development, but the finished product must surely rank as one modern hypercar greats. With some top-level motorsport fairy dust sprinkled on top. 

There was another Aston Martin-Red Bull car, though, one that’s much rarer than the Valkyrie: the V12 Vantage Red Bull Racing Edition. The PH news story of the RBRE was written on February 21st, 2017, so they really were some of the very last special edition Vantages made. Apart from the V600. And probably another one we’ve forgotten. A bit like Pagani with Zondas, V8 and V12 Vantages were being made a lot later than expected. Probably still get one now if you asked nicely enough. 

Anyway, the Edition was offered with either the 4.7 V8 or 5.9 V12, with a host of Red Bull-themed goodies from Q Division found throughout and the Mariana Blue paint. Back then, it perhaps seemed a bit mean for a car celebrating an F1 team tie-up didn’t benefit from any additional performance, but it’s hard to imagine many caring now given the rarity. And the fact that, well, both V8 and V12 Vantage were pretty lovely cars to begin with. 

According to the advert for this one, just 15 Red Bull Racing Editions were produced for the entire globe, so it really is a very seldom-seen special. There are said to be just five in the UK, and Aston Martin Bristol – the seller of this one – would know, as they sold four of those when new. There’s additional intrigue with this one, too, as it benefits from both the aero kit and a power package; the rear spoiler may not be to all tastes, but 600hp from the V12 – courtesy of a titanium exhaust and magnesium inlet manifolds – surely will be. 

Despite those spec choices, this one has only covered 500 miles since 2018. Which seems a crying shame, really. On the other hand, it means an effectively box-fresh Aston Martin with a naturally aspirated V12 and a manual gearbox. There won’t be one of those leaving Gaydon any time soon.

All those factors combined mean it’s the most expensive original V12 Vantage in the classifieds, at £200k – which is actually more than some of the 5.2-litre, twin-turbo replacement cars.  While most folk will probably be content spending something like £120,000 on a ‘regular’ seven-speed, three-pedal V12, this one surely would look pretty cool next to a Valkyrie. Or a Red Bull RB17, perhaps…