RE: New Aston Martin Vantage gets huge power boost

[NO LARD]

Back in the day, The Vantage was similar ballpark money to a Carrera, and the DB line models similar to a 911 Turbo ( +/- "S") - this one is now the same or more than a Turbo S... Where does it leave the DB line models? and where is the "entry-level" Aston ??

[JJJ.]

NO LARD said:

Back in the day, The Vantage was similar ballpark money to a Carrera, and the DB line models similar to a 911 Turbo ( +/- "S") - this one is now the same or more than a Turbo S... Where does it leave the DB line models? and where is the "entry-level" Aston ??

Simple, AM are now going to build a new less expensive entry level model. It will be have a minimum of 25% less of everything, less weight, 50% less 'systems', less power and far less cost @ c.120k!

[smilo996]

So, the two biggest criticisms dealt with, front lights & interior. More power & torque down low. Absolutely superb, especially the side view. The rear just mimics the new "family look" from the DBX. Why is that a problem🤷🏻‍♂️
If they could sort the obvious front grill size then it would be even better. Love the colour too.
There has not been a "new" 911 for a few weeks so it seems Aston gets it in the neck.
Then again there is the truly grotesque 959 to look at.

Edited by smilo996 on Monday 12th February 13:07

[Robertb]

btdk5 said:

Looks amazing.

A potentially frustrating drive considering the level of power.

This. I'd happily spend my imaginary cash on a 'standard' car for 992 Carrera GTS money, and for there to be an up-spec version competing with the Turbo S etc.

I dunno, they could call them Vantage and Vantage S.

At these sorts of prices, it had better be really, really good as the competition is strong.

[NJJ]

JJJ. said:

NO LARD said:

Back in the day, The Vantage was similar ballpark money to a Carrera, and the DB line models similar to a 911 Turbo ( +/- "S") - this one is now the same or more than a Turbo S... Where does it leave the DB line models? and where is the "entry-level" Aston ??

Simple, AM are now going to build a new less expensive entry level model. It will be have a minimum of 25% less of everything, less weight, 50% less 'systems', less power and far less cost @ c.120k!

I'd love this to be true. I like what they've done with this facelift but can't help but think there is now too much crossover between this and DB12. Many who have driven the latter have already said its more full on than they expected for a GT. Let's hope AM's high-margin strategy pays off.

[David87]

NO LARD said:

Back in the day, The Vantage was similar ballpark money to a Carrera, and the DB line models similar to a 911 Turbo ( +/- "S") - this one is now the same or more than a Turbo S... Where does it leave the DB line models? and where is the "entry-level" Aston ??

Yeah, bit of a shame really. This is now so powerful and expensive that they need a 400bhp version for whatever a 992 Carrera costs these days.

[Motormouth88]

Skeptisk said:

Probably needed to boost the power so it wasn’t outgunned by a mid range Kia EV (at least on paper).

The price seems to have doubled in the past 20 years but has everyone’s salaries also doubled?

I was at Geneva the year the original Vantage V8 was unveiled and I remember both my wife and I were bowled over by the design. This seems too fussy and a bit too in your face for me.

I don’t think this kind of car applies to people who have a rigid salary structure

[alscar]

NO LARD said:

Back in the day, The Vantage was similar ballpark money to a Carrera, and the DB line models similar to a 911 Turbo ( +/- "S") - this one is now the same or more than a Turbo S... Where does it leave the DB line models? and where is the "entry-level" Aston ??

Aston's revised strategy is not to have an" entry level" car any more and to appeal to perhaps a different type of customer ( read younger ) than traditionally might have been the case.

[GroundEffect]

aja001 said:

Why the obvious radar box at the bottom of the grill?! There must be a reason they've had to do that but it ruins the DB12 as well, would love to know why AM can't integrate these better.

They cannot be hidden behind certain materials otherwise they don't work. I know that corner radar for low speed driving can be behind a parallel plastic (EPDM-impregnated PP) bumper fascia but these are higher tech so might require no obscuring.

[RJH777]

Unfortunately just can't get to like this or the DB12 front end.

Real shame as they're a realistic purchase in a couple of years time, and I've always said the first really nice car would be an Aston but these have lost that elegance that always drew me to them... obviously a pre-owned DBS or prev look Vantage would be an option (and save some money!) but then you're stuck with the dated / not great interiors...

[AndrewD]

Minglar said:

jayemm89 said:

AndrewD said:

The looks and interior have improved.

But a near £200k sports car (inc options) and it has an auto gearbox?

I'm not keen on the looks, and the wheels look comically large to my eyes.

As for the gearbox, I assume you would rather a DCT? A common complaint of the previous one but honestly I always felt the 8 speed ZF worked great in the Astons. Quick when you want manual mode and around town far better behaved than the Ferrari DCT

If you watch any of the videos that were released last night, Simon Newton from AML explained very clearly that the ZF box was retained, but modified, even though a DCT was also considered. The reasons given were the torque output of this engine, which is 800NM, and the brief breaks in drive associated with a DCT, which he said could unsettle the rear. In answer to the post regarding the black plastic radar unit, have you looked at how Ferrari “integrated” it in to Roma? Vantage at least has it in the middle. I’ve never been a great fan of the previous generation car, mainly the front and the interior, but this latest version certainly addresses those criticisms. I think it looks superb and I hope AML sells loads of them. My only worry is that there seems to be quite a lot of overlap with DB12 which may hamper overall sales. I guess we will know more when the driving reviews appear in a couple of months time to see how different Vantage actually is. Very well done AML.


BRM.

I wonder why they compromised the gearbox and opted for torque quite that high? The cynic would say that headline numbers are cheaper.

I’m sure the ZF is perfectly ok but this is meant to be a sports car and the competition at this price point is dominated by DCT-equipped cars.

AML don’t have unlimited R&D funds nor the luxury of time as nobody was buying their old cars, so I get it. But they need to do more than get AM owners to love the new car.

[Spiros115]

Undoubtedly this will be a better car, the interior is the same as the DB12, a massive improvement. Side and rear don’t look that different to the outgoing model, that is to say beautiful. The front? Hmmm it’s different but not totally convinced it’s that much better, for whatever reason it just doesn’t look as coherent as the DB12 (which is a triumph!) not sure what it is, will probably grow on me, still who cares I can’t afford one so it doesn’t matter!

[tramart50]

Fitting a front number plate should take away some of that extra airlfow through the radiators....

[Wes49]

Nice evolution for the exterior compared to the previous model. Love the DB12-esque front and has a brilliant rear too - especially when compared to the poor rear end of the DB11 and DB12. Amazing engine block that is much loved so stop complaining people. Surely Aston wouldn’t be here without AMG?

Crazy price so no longer an upgrade option from “lesser” rivals unfortunately. So unless you’re crazy rich you’re never going to be moving up to something close to this for a second/weekend car. Shame. The 4.3 V8 is beautiful and more desirable than ever, but the dated tech / interior means the it’ll be an impossible sell for the MRS to agree to it. Wish AM the best of luck….

[Andy83n]

alscar said:

Aston's revised strategy is not to have an" entry level" car any more and to appeal to perhaps a different type of customer ( read younger ) than traditionally might have been the case.

Cygnet apart, when did they ever?

[GroundEffect]

tramart50 said:

Fitting a front number plate should take away some of that extra airlfow through the radiators....

Any OEM worth their salt has already factored all standard number plate configurations in their front-end aero runs. I went to uni with one of the lead Aston aerodynamicists - I'm sure he has it covered.

[911Spanker]

Not sure I'd buy one but has Aston finally sorted the Vantage which was always a bit of an (ugly) also-ran?

[nathwraith1]

The new Vantage looks fantastic. Much more cohesive than the previous model. The interior is a serious upgrade too.

As an ex "new gen" F1 Vantage owner, I approve. This would look rather nice next to my DBX 707.

However, the price. Wow. £165K base and my car specced up was £225K, thats without exterior carbon! Which would easily add £20K to the price(roof, lip, mirrors, diffuser etc)

This was my spec

A few examples:

- £9K for the nicer duo tone interior
- another £2K ontop for a non standard interior colour. (black & tan for example)
- add £5K on for the carbon seats
- £10K for carbon ceramic brakes (a must IMO)
- £2.5K for gloss black side sills and lip.diffuser otherwise you are stuck with "lumpy" looking graphite grey.
- £1.9K for the interior "upper trim inlay" in Carbon which cannot be deselected
- £2K for headlining that isn't black micromesh
- £1.9K for contrast interior stitching
- £10K if you want the pinstripe, lipstick and rear panel livery

This one takes the biscuit though, the AMR green paint is a £15,000 option! What?!

It cost me £2,850 for AMR green on my DBX 707 and surely that uses much more paint by volume. Smoking the crack pipe here I think.

No doubt the new Vantage is an incredible car but Aston are being very cheeky with the pricing of the options.

Also remember to add the the £6K OTR charges so really the cheapest new Vantage is £171K.

So next time you see a black or grey Aston with a monotone black interior, now you know why

Looking at Sept delivery earliest right now, hmmm decisions. [url]

|https://thumbsnap.com/jMMW9GwR[/url][url]

|https://thumbsnap.com/ToJfnZs9[/url]

Edited by nathwraith1 on Monday 12th February 15:13

[Ray_Aber]

Nice colour and trim choice there.

I’d skip all the carbon bits. If carbon isn’t functional, it’s not going on my car.

[GTRene]

dunebuggy said:

I think it's (finally) stunning.

agreed, including the interior, a big step up over the interior from say those 510hp v8 vantages with square things incl steering everywere...brrr and those seats...

this new one though, I would like to sit in and drive, also the looks, although they could put the letters say the ASTON MARTIN letters on the rear lower on that big 'high' 'beam'? in the middle from left to right how you say that, were you find a nice gril with say a challenge F355.

hm, I made a example what I mean to break the mid piece a bit, some sort letters or like the AMG GT-R airduct in the middle, I can not fhoto shop, but only this




and ow, I love the merc engine, now even more with such power , cool.