2018 Vantage photos

[12pack]

Looks like the real thing. Reg no. has it as a 3982cc motor. Many D11 cues, interior too, shorter and lower. And I recognize the driver.
http://www.caranddriver.com/photo-gallery/2018-ast...
http://www.caranddriver.com/news/2018-aston-martin...

Edited by 12pack on Wednesday 22 February 19:10

[V8 Vantage GT]

Was really hoping it didn't have the iPad stuck to the dash like the DB11.

[Mr Cod]

Ah fingers crossed that it looks better out of camouflage. It's a proper mini db11, with all the bits I don't like.

[Mr.Tremlini]

I can`t imagine the new Vantage is just a down-scaled DB11, inside & out, and if so how would it pass A. Palmer`s "my mother will be able to tell the difference" test?

Could this not just be an engine mule?

[V8 Vantage GT]

Mr.Tremlini said:

I can`t imagine the new Vantage is just a down-scaled DB11, inside & out, and if so how would it pass A. Palmer`s "my mother will be able to tell the difference" test?

Could this not just be an engine mule?

Didn't Mr. Palmer say think Vulcan?

[axarunner]

That's not the new Vantage.

[FrankieV12VS]

V8 Vantage GT said:

Didn't Mr. Palmer say think Vulcan?

Think Vulcan meets DB10 and you're getting close...apparently!

[M5MarkM]

When I did the factory tour last week I asked the 2 chaps showing me around if I could sneak a peak, they said they hadn't even seen one themselves and don't know what it looks like. They seamed beleiveable and certainly nothing on any of the lines that was different...

[FrankieV12VS]

There's plenty of people that have seen it. I have spoken to a few. Just passing on what they told me. Their descriptions were the same. Time will tell. They could be winding me up of course!

[Car mad enthusiast]

Sadly its got those crappy wheels on it but I imagine lots will change before sign off time.

[Jon39]

M5MarkM said:

When I did the factory tour last week I asked the 2 chaps showing me around if I could sneak a peak, they said they hadn't even seen one themselves and don't know what it looks like. They seamed beleiveable and certainly nothing on any of the lines that was different...

One of the longstanding guides has told me on a couple of occasions, that he purposely avoids any opportunities to know about unannounced models. Doing that makes it much easier for him when meeting people. After many years, of answering questions, he obviously knows that he does not want to say anything which might be regretted.

On a topic recently, someone mentioned that dealers have already been shown the Mk2 Vantage. If so, I would have thought that the car must be ready to unveil at Geneva. After all, the AM-RB 001 is a non-running exhibit and will be displayed, so unveiling the Vantage does not require a production ready car.

Guessing is good fun, but we will know one way or the other in a few weeks.

[jonby]

Jon39 said:

On a topic recently, someone mentioned that dealers have already been shown the Mk2 Vantage. If so, I would have thought that the car must be ready to unveil at Geneva.

yes
no

[Jon39]

jonby said:

Jon39 said:

On a topic recently, someone mentioned that dealers have already been shown the Mk2 Vantage. If so, I would have thought that the car must be ready to unveil at Geneva.

yes
no

Why would they reveal to dealers, a long time before a public unveiling?

If the RB limited edition announcement does happen to be close to the Mk2 Vantage launch, it still retains an attractive selling point of the naturally aspirated V8.

[jonby]

Jon39 said:

jonby said:

Jon39 said:

On a topic recently, someone mentioned that dealers have already been shown the Mk2 Vantage. If so, I would have thought that the car must be ready to unveil at Geneva.

yes
no

Why would they reveal to dealers, a long time before a public unveiling?

If the RB limited edition announcement does happen to be close to the Mk2 Vantage launch, it still retains an attractive selling point of the naturally aspirated V8.

I'm already skating on thin ice :-)

It's hard enough to keep my mouth shut as it is !

I'm bowing out of this.....

[cayman-black]

well i,ve seen it and i,m not telling you lot anything !

[chesby]

I'm not an insider and therefore know nothing, but from a marketing/PR Perspective I'd have thought AM would be reluctant to publicly unveil the new Vantage too far before production as sales of the current Vantage would be adversely affected.

AM are already unveiling new models at Geneva, to also unveil the new Vantage would affect the impact of the other AM model launches. Much better to launch at Frankfurt in the Autumn and get wider press coverage before deliveries in the new year.

Edited by chesby on Thursday 23 February 14:55

[axarunner]

My Aston Martin dealer (along with other franchised AM dealers) were/was shown the next generation Vantage as a way to boost dealer morale. Its been a long time between models and as such a sneak peek of the next generation of the Vantage did the trick and did excite (at least) my local AM dealer. It will be a clear departure from the DB11. It will have a dogleg 7sp manual. It will have a rear lip spoiler similar to the current vantage. I'm not sure if it will have a trunk or a hatch (I hope a hatch). I'm ordering mine in Goodwood Green .

Edited by axarunner on Thursday 23 February 14:26

[AdamV12V]

axarunner said:

It will have a dogleg 7sp manual.

That's very interesting if it turns out to be true - surely that would in all likelihood mean it was going to be the same gearbox as currently offered in the V12VSM. Seems a bit mad to design and engineer a brand new gearbox with the same dogleg layout.

[Minglar]

Do we really think that AM will go with the seven speed dog leg manual in the V12VS for the new Vantage? As the new car is likely to be the best seller, this seems a risky strategy. How many bog standard 991 911s are specified with a manual box nowadays after they introduced their seven speed? (911R and new GT3 excepted I guess - but they are/will be six speed) Is this just a response to AP's comment that manuals will live on? If they offer a regular automatic as well as the manual, I suspect the manual could well lose out sales wise if it ends up being the seven speed. Surely the six speed from the V12V with a dual plate clutch would make more sense?....easier to shift and a lighter clutch pedal. I haven't driven the seven speed but from what has been said on here, generally speaking it seems to be less user friendly than the six speed, although the AM Shift tech sounds nice! Happy for Adam to correct me on that one though!

Best Regards

Minglar

[HBradley]

AdamV12V said:

axarunner said:

It will have a dogleg 7sp manual.

That's very interesting if it turns out to be true - surely that would in all likelihood mean it was going to be the same gearbox as currently offered in the V12VSM. Seems a bit mad to design and engineer a brand new gearbox with the same dogleg layout.

I'll put my pension on the fact that it won't have the same gearbox as the current Vantage, that would be a major step back!