There are very few genuine sportscars you can buy today fitted with a manual transmission. Ferrari, Lamborghini and other manufacturers of exotica have long since removed gear shifting duties from the driver. It is for this very reason that we need to celebrate cars such as the Aston Martin Vantage AMR.

Click here to check out our Shift Workers Union T-Shirt that celebrates the manual transmission.

(Re-)Introducing the third pedal

Aston Martin has mated its alloy, 4,0-litre V8 engine with a seven-speed transmission to bring back real driver engagement. The twin-turbocharged motor is positioned low and as far back in the engine bay as possible. It develops maximum power of 375 kW at 6000 r/min and 625 N.m of peak torque from 2 000-5000 r/min. The Aston Martin Vantage AMR is said to sprint from 0-100 km/h in 4,0 second with a top speed of 314 km/h.

Features

To ensure an optimal centre-of-gravity and ideal mass distribution across both axles, the Graziano-sourced transmission is a transaxle unit. In true racecar-style 1st gear is ‘dogleg’ in position ie to the left and down. The rest of the gear pattern is in a traditional double H-pattern configuration. The transaxle also features a limited-slip differential. Replacing the automatic transmission with this manual unit and fitment of carbon ceramic brakes as standard assists in removing 95 kg of weight.

For those of you who have already forgotten the art, the Aston Martin Vantage AMR’s manual transmission features AMSHIFT that mimics the technique of heel-and-toe downshifts. AMSHIFT also offers the option of full-throttle upshifts – cool!

Limited edition

The Aston Martin Vantage AMR is limited to 200 units worldwide. Of this allocation, 59 will be crafted in celebration of the 60th anniversary since Aston Martin’s triumphant 1959 24 Hours of Le Mans victory. Named “Vantage 59”, this specification features a Stirling Green and Lime exterior paint scheme and Dark Knight leather and Alcantara interior, finished with a signature AMR lime stripe and stitch.

Vantage will continue to feature a manual gearbox as an option from Q1 2020, following the sale of all 200 limited-edition AMR models.

You can see the new Vantage in action below: