Aston Martin V8 Vantage (2005)

:"See also Aston Martin V8 Vantage for other models sharing this name"Infobox Automobile


name=Aston Martin V8 Vantage
manufacturer=Aston Martin Lagonda Limited
parent_company=
production=2005–present
class=Grand tourer
platform=VH Platform
layout=FR layout
body_style=2-door coupé
2-door roadster
engine=4.3 L "AJ" V8
4.7 L "AJ" V8
transmission =6-speed Manual
6-speed Sportshift
wheelbase= convert|2600|mm|in|1|abbr=on
length= convert|4380|mm|in|1|abbr=on
width= convert|1865|mm|in|1|abbr=on
height= convert|1255|mm|in|1|abbr=on
weight= convert|1630|kg|lb|0|abbr=on
designer=Henrik Fisker
related=Aston Martin DB9
similar=Mercedes-Benz SL
Porsche 911
Jaguar XKR
BMW M6The Aston Martin V8 Vantage is a hand built sports car from the British manufacturer Aston Martin. Aston Martin has previously used the "Vantage" name on high performance variants of their existing GT models, notably on the Virage-based supercar of the 1990s. The modern car, in contrast, is the leanest and most agile car in Aston's three-model lineup. As such, it is intended as a more accessible model to reach out to potential buyers of cars such as the Porsche 911 as well as the exotic sports and GT cars with which Aston Martins traditionally compete.

Overview

Following the unveiling of the AMV8 Vantage concept car in 2003, the production V8 Vantage was introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in 2005 for the 2006 model year. The two seat, two -door coupé had a bonded aluminium structure for strength and lightness. The 172.5 inch (4.38 m) long coupé featured a hatchback-style tailgate for practicality, with a large luggage shelf behind the seats. In addition to the coupé, a convertible was available known as the V8 Vantage Roadster. [http://www.amoc.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=408&Itemid=186]

The V8 Vantage was powered by a 4.3 L (4300 cc) quad-cam 32-valve V8 which produced convert|380|hp|abbr=on at 7,000 rpm and 302 ft·lbf (410 Nm) at 5,000 rpm [http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/Spec_Glance.aspx?year=2006&make=Aston%20Martin&model=V8%20Vantage&trimid=-1] . Though based loosely on Jaguar's AJ-V8 engine architecture, this engine was unique to Aston Martin and featured race-style dry-sump lubrication, which enabled it to be mounted low in the chassis for an improved center of gravity. The cylinder block and heads, crankshaft, connecting rods, pistons, camshafts, inlet and exhaust manifolds, lubrication system, and engine management were all Aston Martin designs and the V8 engine was assembled by hand at the AM facility in Cologne, Germany, which also built the V12 engine for the DB9 and Vanquish.

The engine was front mid-mounted with a rear-mounted transaxle, giving a 49/51 front/rear weight distribution. The V8 Vantage could accelerate to 60 mph (97 km/h) in a manufacturer claimed 4.7 seconds (62 mph (100 km/h), 4.9sec) and reached a 178 mph (285 km/h) top speed. Slotted Brembo brakes were also standard.

The V8 Vantage retailed for £79,000, US$110,000, or €104,000 in 2006 [http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/Spec_Glance.aspx?year=2006&make=Aston%20Martin&model=V8%20Vantage&trimid=-1] , Aston Martin planned to build up to 3,000 per year. Included was a six-speed manual transmission and leather-upholstery for the seats, dash, steering-wheel, and shift-knob. A six-speed sequential manual transmission, similar to those produced by Ferrari and Lamborghini, called Sportshift was introduced later as an option.

In their 2006 readership survey, readers of Car Design News voted the Aston Martin V8 Vantage as the best current production car design. The survey results were based on over 1000 responses, most from working automotive designers and students of industrial and automotive design. The Vantage was also voted one of Automobile magazine's 2007 "All Stars" for its performance, road manners, and design. The V8 Vantage is also one of the only two cars to be added to "the fridge" – reserved for the super-"cool" – on the BBC's Top Gear (on which it is described as the "baby Aston" to differentiate it from the V12 powered DB9). The program rates cars from seriously un-cool to sub-zero. The fridge was an extra category added when the presenters deemed the Aston Martin DB9 too cool for the sub-zero category. In the 2005 awards, Jeremy Clarkson declared the V8 Vantage as the coolest car of the year, while the award winner was actually the Porsche 911.

Update

In May 2008, Aston Martin announced new technical updates for the Vantage, which included changes to the engine, transmission, suspension and appearance. New cylinder liners that are now pressed into the aluminium block instead of the original cast-in variants allow a thinner liner, which in turn allows a larger capacity of 4.7L. The cylinder bore and stroke has been increased from convert|89|mm|in|1|abbr=on to convert|91|mm|in|1|abbr=on and convert|86|mm|in|1|abbr=on to convert|91|mm|in|1|abbr=on respectively, giving a total displacement of 4735 cc. The dry sump oiling system was also modified.

The "Sportshift" transmission benefited from a software update, while a lightened flywheel was introduced for both the manual and the Sportshift. Aston Martin also stiffened up the suspension and now use Bilstein dampers. An optional Sports Pack is being offered with stiffer springs and tighter handling.

New wheels are also part of the update including a 20-spoke alloy wheel and a new 5-spoke aluminium wheel for the sports pack. The interior has been changed, using an updated console similar to the Aston Martin DBS and the new DB9.

The update provides the Vantage with 420bhp (an 11% increase) and delivers peak torque of 470Nm (a 15% increase), providing the car with additional reserves of mid-range performance, an improved 0-60mph time of 4.3 seconds, and top speed of 185mph (299km/h). Combined European fuel economy and CO2 emissions are also improved by 13% (Sportshift™). [ [http://www.astonmartin.com/eng/thecompany/news?a=71f4deb1-9e51-4f5c-a6ea-9665fa6cc37c Technical Enhancements for Aston Martin V8 Vantage] ]

Variants

Roadster

At the 2006 Greater Los Angeles Auto Show, Aston Martin officially unveiled the V8 Vantage Roadster. The car gained 200 pounds over the coupé, but Aston Martin claimed the car would have the same performance as the coupé. To compensate for the loss of the roof a new, super-stiff cross-member was added to the frame. The soft top could be raised or lowered electronically in 18 seconds and could be operated in speeds up to convert|30|mi/h|km/h|-1|abbr=on.It had the same 4.3 litre V8 from the hard top version producing convert|380|bhp|kW PS|0|abbr=on at 7000 rpm, convert|302|ft.lbf|N.m|abbr=on at 5000 rpm & a top speed of convert|175|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on . It would accelerate from 0-60 mph (0-100 km/h) in 4.9 seconds. [ [http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/hot_lists/high_performance/sports_car_central/2008_aston_martin_v_8_vantage_roadster_first_drive_review Car and Driver review of V8 Vantage Roadster] ]

Prodrive V8 Vantage

In 2007 Prodrive released a tuning package for the V8 Vantage, which consists of four separate packages that can be installed in stages. These four packages are for the engine, suspension, wheels, or aerodynamics.The engine package includes an ECU remapping and minor engine modifications that boost power on the 4.3L engine by Convert|45|hp|kW|0|abbr=on, and torque by Auto ft.lbf|25|0. Throttle control is also remapped. Also included is an exhaust modification which allows the driver to leave the by-pass valves in three separate settings. The suspension package replaces portions of the car's suspension with Bilstein and Eibach parts, which are claimed to make the vehicle more planted and accurate through the corners.

The tyres and rims package replaces the stock wheels with lighter twin-7 spoke alloys from Prodrive Japan. The rims are similar to those on the DBR9, and each wheel weighs convert|2.5|kg|lb|0|abbr=on less than the stock versions. Pirelli P-Zero tires are used, and the rear wheels are widened to convert|10|in|mm|0. The aerodynamic package adds a carbon fibre front splitter and rear wing, which together reduce lift by up to 45%.

Packages can be ordered direct from Prodrive or from an Aston Martin dealer, though all packages are installed by Prodrive. 0- convert|60|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on times are claimed to drop by 0.5 seconds to about 4.3 seconds for the 4.3L Vantage, and 0- convert|100|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on times are improved by 0.9 seconds.

N400

To commemorate the company's racing successes at the Nürburgring, Aston Martin released the limited edition N400 at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show. The N400’s 4.3L V8 was tuned to produce Auto bhp|400|-1, hence the name, and the car also featured a sports pack which included lightweight graphite-finished wheels, uprated springs and dampers and a new rear anti-roll bar. The N400 was available in three special paint colours; Storm Black, Lightning Silver and Karussell Orange. Each N400 came with perforated leather trim, including a map of the Nürburgring stitched on the center armrest, and a numbered plaque.

Aston Martin tested the car at the Nurburgring Nordschleife circuit where it was able to complete a lap in under eight minutes. [ [http://autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/AllCars/227685/ Two more Astons for Frankfurt show] ] The N400 package was available on either the coupé or roadster, with 240 versions of each being built. [ [http://www.topgear.com/content/news/stories/2200/ Top Gear - Aston at the double] ]

V12 Vantage RS

On December 11, 2007, as part of Aston Martin's opening of their own design studio, the company unveiled a concept based on the V8 Vantage. The car, known as the V12 Vantage RS, features the V12 engine from the DBRS9 race car and produces convert|600|hp|abbr=on. The power along with the weight of convert|3500|lb|kg allows the car to reach convert|60|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on in under four seconds and achieve a top speed over convert|200|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on.

Other additions include a new rear diffuser, a rear-wing which can be raised or lowered, and carbon-ceramic brakes. The bootlid and vented bonnet are also made from carbon fiber to help decrease the car's weight. In early 2008, Aston Martin's CEO confirmed production for V12 Vantage RS for mid 2009. [citeweb | url = http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/14/aston-martin-ceo-confirms-production-for-v12-vantage-rs-and-dbs/ | title = Aston Martin CEO confirms production for V12 Vantage RS and DBS Roadster | publisher = Autoblog | date= 14 March 2008 | accessdate = 2008-03-15]

Clear Spy shots of the new V12 Vantage RS surfaced on the 5th of April 2008. [ citeweb | url = http://www.caradvice.com.au/11683/aston-martin-v12-vantage-rs-spy-photos/ | title = Aston Martin V12 Vantage RS spy photos | publisher = CarAdvice | date= 5 April 2008 | accessdate = 2008-04-08]

Personalisation

In addition to the specific packages above, all variants of the V8 Vantage are offered with a wide range of personalisation options, particularly in the interior where several different shades of leather – and even stitching – may be chosen to complement or contrast each other and the body (and, in the case of the convertible, the roof). Nearly infinite choices of color, trim, and options combined with the in house "customization" available through Works Service make it possible for a V8 Vantage owner to configure a unique individual car to his or her specifications.

Motorsport

N24

During the 2006 British Motor Show, Aston Martin Racing revealed a near stock version of the V8 Vantage that would compete in the Nürburgring 24 Hours endurance race. The car, now known as the V8 Vantage N24, was driven by Aston Martin CEO Dr. Ulrich Bez, development engineer Chris Porrit, development driver Wolfgang Schuhbauer and German journalist Horst Graf von Saurma-Jeltsch in the 24 hour race. The car finished 4th in class and 24th overall, before being driven home on public roads after the race. While essentially much like the existing coupé, the N24 had a front splitter and extended door sills for aerodynamic efficiency, a full roll cage, a racing fuel tank, and other modifications necessary to make the car race worthy. Other modifications include the removal of most of the interior, including all seats, replaced by a lone Recaro drivers seat.

Later in 2006, Aston Martin confirmed that they would offer the V8 Vantage N24 to customers as a track car similar to a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup. The V8 Vantage N24 is legal for use in the FIA GT4 European Cup, German VLN series, Grand-Am Cup, and various other national series. Contrary to Porsche however, Dr. Bez announced that they will not be putting a premium price on the N24 and that, while it will only be produced in limited numbers, will cost just about as much as a regular V8 Vantage.Fact|date=December 2007

The N24 was also planned to become the basis of a new one-make pan-Asia series called Aston Martin Asia Cup (AMAC). Competitors would run in identical N24s at various Asian circuits. [ [http://www.autoclub.com.au/2007/11/aston-martin-vantage-n24.html AutoClub: Aston Martin Vantage N24 Asia Cup (Aston Martin Press Release)] ]

The N24 Featured in the British TV series Top Gear Driven by James May, in order to find the best driving road. The car was mocked by Richard Hammond and Jeremy Clarkson as for its lack of air conditioning and other extras.

Rally GT

Developed alongside the N24, the V8 Vantage Rally GT undergoes similar modifications by Prodrive for use in rallying. Unique modifications include a slight increase in engine power, Eibach sport shocks, and an optional close-ratio gearbox. The Rally GTs were used by the Race of Champions as part of their line-up of cars in 2006. [cite web | url = http://www.astonmartins.com/aston_martin_racing/v8_vantage_rally_gt.htm | title = Aston Martin V8 Vantage Rally GT (production car) (2006-) | publisher = Aston Martin Picture Gallery | date = 2007-03-18 | accessdate = 2007-12-11]

GT2

Debuting in 2008, the V8 Vantage GT2 is the most powerful racing variant of the V8 Vantage family. Designed to meet FIA and ACO GT2 class regulations, the Vantage will become a customer car for use in the FIA GT Championship, American Le Mans Series, Le Mans Series, and 24 Hours of Le Mans. The V8 Vantage GT2 has been tuned to be capable of running E85 ethanol or normal racing fuel, dependent on the racing series. [citeweb | url = http://www.endurance-info.com/article.php?sid=4693&thold=0 | title = Aston Martin Racing révèle sa Vantage GT2 | publisher = Endurance-Info | date = 4 January 2008 | accessdate = 2008-01-10]

Aston Martin V8 Vantage GT2 saw its racing debut at the 2008 Grand Prix of Long Beach, driven by Paul Drayson, a former Minister of State in the United Kingdom, and Jonny Cocker, 2004 British GT Champion. The car will also be run on E85 fuel. [ [http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=285329 New car, same goals for Drayson-Barwell] ]

James Watt Automotive also plans to run in Le Mans Series, [citeweb | url = http://www.endurance-info.com/article.php?sid=4845&thold=0 | title = James Watt Automotive engagera une... Aston Martin Vantage GT2 ! | publisher = Endurance-Info | date = 4 February 2008 | accessdate = 2008-02-04] although the car failed to make the start of its debut race due to mechanical problems.

References

External links

* [http://www.astonmartin.com/ Aston Martin]
* [http://www.astonmartins.com/gaydon_vh/index.html Aston Martin Picture Gallery] VH Platform Cars (Gaydon) - V8 Vantage, Roadster, DB9, DBS (2003-date)
* [http://driving.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,12529-1783736,00.html Aston Martin V8 Vantage] article by Jeremy Clarkson