The arrival of the V12 in 1999 transforms the DB7. Up to that point it was elegant and already quick with the supercharged six, but the Vantage turns it into a true modern Aston: richer in sound, fuller everywhere in the rev range and much more desirable on the collector market. In spirit, it sits closer to a big-engined Mercedes-Benz SL than to an uncompromising sports coupe.
The DB7 Vantage exists as both coupe and Volante, with manual or `Touchtronic` depending on market. Its chassis remains that of a comfortable grand tourer, but the V12 changes the maintenance equation, the thermal load and the cost of consumables. It is also still very much an Aston from the Ford-Jaguar era, which helps some parts sourcing without making the car cheap to own.