Latest Tosh

[jonby]

Almost every element of today's article on new vantage is utter tosh
http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/2018-as...

So much is factually wrong I'm not going to even bother picking it apart. I'm not sure I agree with a single complete sentence in the entire article.....

[Mac355]

But apart from that you enjoyed it

[MitchT]

Those new Aston centre consoles remind me of something that was fashionable in run-of-the-mill hatchbacks about ten years ago.

[jonby]

Mac355 said:

But apart from that you enjoyed it

I enjoyed reading that there were photos of new Vantage :-)

It all went downhill from there........

[AdamV12V]

I'm not sure its even the latest tosh - if you read the comments at the bottom of the page, it looks like its actually an old tosh article that's been re-hashed in an attempt to make it less tosh than it previously was!

[jonby]

AdamV12V said:

I'm not sure its even the latest tosh - if you read the comments at the bottom of the page, it looks like its actually an old tosh article that's been re-hashed in an attempt to make it less tosh than it previously was!

Am sure you are right

Plus what a surprise that a mule dressed to look like a DB11 has design cues & proportions of........................wait for it....................a DB11

[V8 Vantage GT]

These articles always mention 400 HP, why would the base Vantage only have 400 HP? It would be huge mistake for Aston for it to have less that 500 - 550 HP.

[Cold]

That's a DB11 mule.

[Jon39]

V8 Vantage GT said:

These articles always mention 400 HP, why would the base Vantage only have 400 HP? It would be huge mistake for Aston for it to have less that 500 - 550 HP.

There are some recent photos on the internet, showing prototype KU66 YCX driving in Cambridge. A check shows it to be 4 litres, but I don't know whether it is a Vantage, or DB11.

On the 400bhp point, the MB engine M178 seems to produce any power output desired (twiddle the software or boost perhaps), but none of their cars is less than 456bhp.
Even a work experience journalist would know, that the new Vantage will definitely not be below the 430bhp of the current model.

The AMG 3982 cc twin turbo V8 is fitted in the following models, with various power outputs between 456 and 622 bhp.

AMG C-Class
469 bhp
503

AMG E-Class
563 bhp
604

AMG GT
456 bhp
503 (S)
577 (R)
622 (3)

Imagine how a proud AMG GT owner would feel, if he were to meet five people at the pub, who all arrived in an E-Class AMG saloon, with the same engine but 107 more horsepower. How embarrassing. A top trumps loser. He would have to immediately PX for the AMG GT3 madel.

Edited by Jon39 on Tuesday 21st March 21:51

[bogie]

One would like to think that a 4L turbo engine will give us at least 450bhp as the base model, and scope for 50-100bhp more in later "S". Surely they need to match the power of a few year old Jag or Merc

[V8 Vantage GT]

bogie said:

One would like to think that a 4L turbo engine will give us at least 450bhp as the base model, and scope for 50-100bhp more in later "S". Surely they need to match the power of a few year old Jag or Merc

I disagree, 450 is not enough. a joke. It needs to be competitive against more that the average turbo or SC V6.

[V8Andrew]

I've stopped reading press speculation and viewing spy shots of new cars as I'd just rather wait for some decent official information - and hopefully in the case of the Vantage an invitation to have a test drive from the local dealership.

[northernmedia]

Oddly there are comments at the bottom from June last year, rehashed content maybe?
I agree though there are gaping holes throughout.

[jonby]

V8Andrew said:

I've stopped reading press speculation and viewing spy shots of new cars as I'd just rather wait for some decent official information - and hopefully in the case of the Vantage an invitation to have a test drive from the local dealership.

That's far too sensible !

Meanwhile I wouldn't bother worrying about 400 or 450 bhp - I'm convinced base vantage power output will start with a 5

The comments by David King on PH yesterday and the subject of another thread appear to be in line with my previously posted thoughts that the two gearboxes in all Astons going forward (obviously excluding the monster specials like Vulcan, RB001 and AMR Pro Vantage) will be an 8 speed auto and a conventional manual

As I see it, the DCTs don't have the 'aggression' or idiosyncracies of early DCTs or single clutch automated manuals whilst the conventional torque converter autos have become so much better so actually, to the driver, the differences between the two have become much smaller IMO, to the point it's more down to whether it's a good version of that particular system that counts and not which system it is

[HBradley]

jonby said:

As I see it, the DCTs don't have the 'aggression' or idiosyncracies of early DCTs or single clutch automated manuals whilst the conventional torque converter autos have become so much better so actually, to the driver, the differences between the two have become much smaller IMO, to the point it's more down to whether it's a good version of that particular system that counts and not which system it is

Agreed. I've seen no criticism of the 8-speed ZF auto in the DB11, with many reviewers happily using the paddles in the same way as a DCT (or SS). I suppose the £5m question is which manual will they use? 'A groan erupts from the reading audience'!

[Zod]

jonby said:

V8Andrew said:

I've stopped reading press speculation and viewing spy shots of new cars as I'd just rather wait for some decent official information - and hopefully in the case of the Vantage an invitation to have a test drive from the local dealership.

That's far too sensible !

Meanwhile I wouldn't bother worrying about 400 or 450 bhp - I'm convinced base vantage power output will start with a 5

The comments by David King on PH yesterday and the subject of another thread appear to be in line with my previously posted thoughts that the two gearboxes in all Astons going forward (obviously excluding the monster specials like Vulcan, RB001 and AMR Pro Vantage) will be an 8 speed auto and a conventional manual

As I see it, the DCTs don't have the 'aggression' or idiosyncracies of early DCTs or single clutch automated manuals whilst the conventional torque converter autos have become so much better so actually, to the driver, the differences between the two have become much smaller IMO, to the point it's more down to whether it's a good version of that particular system that counts and not which system it is

I agree. DCTs are now so smooth and torque converter autos so quick and no longer subject to power losses that I see no advantage in DCTs. Older DCTs and SMG/Sportshift-type single cluthc manuals were indeed idiosyncratic and had a manual-ish, sporty feel, but I'd rather just have a proper manual.

[jonby]

Cold said:

That's a DB11 mule.

5 hours after that tweet, AP tweeted the same pic of the same article with the heading

2018 Aston Martin Vantage testing in Britain with AMG V8 | Autocar

Interpret that as you will

[Jon39]

jonby said:

5 hours after that tweet, AP tweeted the same pic of the same article with the heading

2018 Aston Martin Vantage testing in Britain with AMG V8 | Autocar

Interpret that as you will

I guess he just enjoys a tease.

[telum01]

Sorry if I missed it if it's been said before, but that DB11 mule that keeps getting mistaken for the Vantage looks like it doesn't have C-pillar inlets. Is it to test for the Volante since those inlets wouldn't be there?

[jonby]

telum01 said:

Sorry if I missed it if it's been said before, but that DB11 mule that keeps getting mistaken for the Vantage looks like it doesn't have C-pillar inlets. Is it to test for the Volante since those inlets wouldn't be there?

I suspect that what you will find is that it's some kind of hybrid testing mule, which is strictly speaking neither DB11 nor Vantage but could arguably be called either

I'd doubt it's re Volante only because it doesn't have a soft top and there have been volante mules not only spotted, but publicized by the factory