Aston Martin relented this week and announced that it will import the V12 Vantage to the United States starting in the 4th quarter of this year. Up until now, this car -- a V8 Vantage that benefits from a V12 transplant from the DBS -- has only been sold in Europe. Key stats include a claimed 0-to-60-mph time of 4.1 seconds and a top speed of 190 mph.

The 510-horsepower, 5.9-liter V12, evidently, was the very thing that has made it difficult to import the car to the U.S. The 12-cylinder engine is around 12 inches longer than the V8, which squeezes some of the engine package ahead of the front axle. As a result, the V12 Vantage's front-end crash structure needed modification, mainly to the impact load paths, to meet North American regulations.

Of course, the price of the Aston Martin V12 Vantage is apt to overwhelm even the largest of holiday shopping budgets. Aston expects to price it between $180,000 and $200,000. A special-edition Carbon Black model (with the requisite matte paint) will likely command even a bit more.

Aston Martin has finally put a U.S.-approved sticker onto the V12 Vantage, and if you're aching to get into the 510 horsepower coupe, you'll need to set aside $179,995 for the "base" model.

Included in the kit is the DB9-sourced V12 powerplant putting out the aforementioned 510 ponies and 420 pound-feet of torque, capable of scooting the svelte coupe to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds and on to a top speed of 190 mph.

If the standard V12 Vantage is just too plebeian for your tastes, you can option up for the Carbon Black Edition – an exclusive trim for the States – which includes black metallic paint, carbon fiber accents, a reworked grille, 10-spoke black wheels and a host of interior appointments.

Pricing for the Carbon Black model comes in at a cool $194,995 (undercutting both the DB9 and DBS), and both prices include the $3,000 gas guzzler tax and $1,350 destination charge. If that's too rich for your blood, just enjoy the high-res pics in the gallery below.