ASTON Martin has unveiled its new Vantage sports car which it says is the most driver focused and fastest in the famous car's 74-year history.

Powered by a heavily reworked, hand-built 4.0 twin-turbo V8 engine the new Vantage is claimed as the ultimate model in the nameplate's history.

With peaks of 665ps and 800Nm of torque it also makes the biggest-ever jump in power and torque compared to the model it succeeds with the increases of 155ps and 115Nm equating to gains of 30 per cent and 15 per cent respectively.

Mated to an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission the two-seater has a top speed of 202mph and 0 to 60mph time of 3.4 seconds.

Aston says the Vantage's standing start acceleration is helped by a new launch control system that is fully integrated with the powertrain, transmission and electronic stability programme to keep wheel slip in the optimal range throughout the launch.

Prices have still to be announced but can be expected to start around £165,000 when the new Vantage arrives in the second quarter of 2024.

A new generation Vantage GT3 racing model has also been announced which will compete across the globe in events such as the Le Mans 24 Hours.

The new generation Vantage continues a lineage that can be traced back to 1950, when the Vantage name was first used to denote an uprated engine package for the race-proven DB2.

The first time Vantage was applied as a model designation was in 1964, when a high-performance Vantage-badged version of the DB5 became the new flagship of the range.

A standalone Vantage model was introduced in the early 1970s, from which point the nameplate has played an increasingly prominent role in Aston Martin's model line-up.

Aston Martin chief executive officer, Amedeo Felisa, said: "As we enter a period of pivotal change in the world of high-performance cars it is essential to remain true to those qualities upon which a legendary marque has been built.

"Any car bearing the Vantage name has much to live-up to, which is why this newest model makes an unwavering commitment to high-performance in its purest and most explicit form.

"Class-leading power and speed establish its credentials, but it is through expert application of the latest technologies to the Vantage's perfectly balanced front-engine rear-drive chassis that we have created a sports car with addictive capability. Together with assertive styling, all-new interior and state-of-the-art infotainment, Vantage is world-class in every respect."

The new Vantage is wider and stiffer than before with a traction system designed to give the driver maximum control. The car also comes with a revised cooling system.

It also sees the return of the iconic Aston Martin side strake, which now forms the focal point of revised vents in each flank.