2018 Vantage photos
Discussion
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.
axarunner said:
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 
.
Thank the lord. I am so glad it won't have that aeroblade messing up the back end. And end up looking like the rear of an F-type. .HBradley said:
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!
Lol - how does not stepping forward represent a step backwards? Surely its just a sideways step at worst... 
Minglar said:
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
Well I do agree it seems unlikey that they would stick with the same gearbox, but if its a dogleg then you have to admit it seems odd to develop a new box with the same attributes. I also think a dogleg layout is sufficiently quirky as to scare some customers off, whilst at the same time appealing to a small niche set of enthusiasts. On balance however I think it would be a risky approach for the new model which is meant to be their biggest seller.Best Regards
Minglar
As for the issues of the old V12V box vs the new one that's just incorrect I am afraid - it isn't either any lighter or heavier, and I'm fairly sure it still has a dual plate clutch (I think BR Mike confirmed that). The only quirk is of course the reverse dogleg layout, which has made a few people stumble on test drives, but after 2 months I can now confirm its second nature and doesn't ever trip me up now! Also I have now switched into the camp of leaving AM Shift off all the time, reversing my last post on the subject. I now prefer it off in plain old full manual mode
Hi Adam
What I meant was that the dual plate clutch and six speed from the V12V would be a better fit compared to what the V8V has now. As I said, I've never driven a car like yours so have no idea how the clutch and the gear shift feel. Surely, for the new car which ultimately will be the biggest seller, AM need to move away from issues which may deter buyers. In my opinion I think a seven speed dog leg will. The last run of manual V12VS and V12VSR appeal to a different customer for very good reasons. Yours is going to remain a very rare machine that's for sure.
Best Regards
Minglar
What I meant was that the dual plate clutch and six speed from the V12V would be a better fit compared to what the V8V has now. As I said, I've never driven a car like yours so have no idea how the clutch and the gear shift feel. Surely, for the new car which ultimately will be the biggest seller, AM need to move away from issues which may deter buyers. In my opinion I think a seven speed dog leg will. The last run of manual V12VS and V12VSR appeal to a different customer for very good reasons. Yours is going to remain a very rare machine that's for sure.
Best Regards
Minglar
Hmm - front looks like a cross between the DB11 and DB10.
The grille looks lower down and thinner than either the DB11 or the V8 vantage - which is very much a styling queue from the DB10. The classic 'Aston' shape of the grille also looks less pronounced, in much the same way as it was in the DB10.
I hope this isnt the case and that it's just blanked off somehow, I thought the larger grille on the DB11 made the car look much better proportioned than the DB9 that came before.
Looks like the side wheel arch vents have made it from the DB11....still not sure about those.
The grille looks lower down and thinner than either the DB11 or the V8 vantage - which is very much a styling queue from the DB10. The classic 'Aston' shape of the grille also looks less pronounced, in much the same way as it was in the DB10.
I hope this isnt the case and that it's just blanked off somehow, I thought the larger grille on the DB11 made the car look much better proportioned than the DB9 that came before.
Looks like the side wheel arch vents have made it from the DB11....still not sure about those.
AdamV12V said:
Lol - how does not stepping forward represent a step backwards? Surely its just a sideways step at worst...
Because time doesn't stand still. And being brutal, Aston haven't been ahead of the game at any point throughout the Vantage's lifespan so weren't exactly waiting for everyone else to catch up...As for 7 speed manual gearboxes...I guess if two of your names are "Eddie" and "Stobart" there may be a perfectly good reason...otherwise direction readjustment is required.
If you must persist with a manual (I have 3 manual cars now and my old Vantage was a manual - I understand why they are liked and like them myself...in context) then do a 6 speed properly with well chosen ratios. There is NO need for any more and the complications they entail.
But with increasing amounts of electronics on cars that all now work together (on the leading cars out there) to cope with modern road conditions, engine outputs and emissions standards etc etc, persisting with manuals seems bloody minded for the sake of it.
It will be very, very interesting to see how many of the new model Vantage are spec'd with manuals, and how their sales do if they don't pull their fingers out and sort out a proper nigh on class leading automated manual box.
Electronic modules, wiring harness, CAN and comms between other systems of the car, which will all be Merc derived, means that any major hardware component such as gearbox HAS to be copy / paste from whatever is in the Merc line-up. To take parts of Merc electronic architecture then slap on a different gearbox, a different infotainment system blah, blah would me massive development cost and going out on a limb. Whatever the major hardware components might be, just look at Merc, end of!
Buster73 said:
One of my mates has just paid a £5k deposit at Aston Newcastle for the new Vantage , unseen.
I couldn't buy a car without seeing or driving one , but he's quite happy to do so.
At risk of teaching you to suck eggs, he is not buying a car unseenI couldn't buy a car without seeing or driving one , but he's quite happy to do so.
He is lending money to the dealership, which he can ask for back at any stage, in return for the privilege of being one of the first people in the country, in 2018, to have a new vantage
He is not committed in any way
It's very common practice
He may well end up having to commit before having driven one, but not before seeing at least photos, specs, etc
Would the auto-box not just be a lift and shift (with a little fettling) from the AMG GT ? That's clearly a hugely capable bit of kit.
Don't get me wrong, I quite like the SS3 box (not keen on 1 and 2), however I'd be lying if I said the option of a fully auto or DC box in the Vantage wouldn't have a certain appeal.
As for the manual setup, I fail to see that Aston would have developed a 7 speed manual box to only be used in one car, of which globally there will be about 400. I can see Porsche doing something like that but then money isn't a constraint they have.
Might be wrong, but I think we'll see the 7-speed manual appear in the DB11 (perhaps DBS) and the V12 Vantage when that hopefully comes along.
Very keen to see the new Vantage though.
Don't get me wrong, I quite like the SS3 box (not keen on 1 and 2), however I'd be lying if I said the option of a fully auto or DC box in the Vantage wouldn't have a certain appeal.
As for the manual setup, I fail to see that Aston would have developed a 7 speed manual box to only be used in one car, of which globally there will be about 400. I can see Porsche doing something like that but then money isn't a constraint they have.
Might be wrong, but I think we'll see the 7-speed manual appear in the DB11 (perhaps DBS) and the V12 Vantage when that hopefully comes along.
Very keen to see the new Vantage though.
BamfordMike said:
Electronic modules, wiring harness, CAN and comms between other systems of the car, which will all be Merc derived, means that any major hardware component such as gearbox HAS to be copy / paste from whatever is in the Merc line-up. To take parts of Merc electronic architecture then slap on a different gearbox, a different infotainment system blah, blah would me massive development cost and going out on a limb. Whatever the major hardware components might be, just look at Merc, end of!
New gen Vantage will definitely have a V8 twin turbo AMG 4.0 engine - the only question is how much power it will have to start with - my guess is c. 525bhp, but it's pretty safe to say it won't be less than 450New gen Vantage will definitely offer a true manual, 3 pedal option
The only Mercedes cars on sale today that I am aware have a true manual box are the smaller cars with up to 200ish bhp
So are you suggesting that the Aston will have a development of those boxes ? I'm assuming that's a non starter
Or do you think they will they reverse engineer an existing Mercedes DSG box to manual ? (Mercedes use both DSG and conventional auto on their cars). AP has talked about reverse engineering DSG to manual before. Doesn't seem very likely to me
Of course DB11 has an Aston engine (well it's certainly not Mercedes), an Aston gearbox (I appreciate it's not made by Aston, but it's certainly not a Mercedes box) yet it has Mercedes electronic architecture
I'm struggling to see how the most likely option in new Vantage is not a development of the existing manual box
We should start a wager on this?
AP has stated publically that future models will have a manual option, but I cannot see the current 7-speed ticking the 'Innovation' box?!
At the same time (& despite AP's opposition to dual clutch units) my money is firmly on an AMG DCT from the GT as it reflects what attracts new buyers. 2p dropped.
AP has stated publically that future models will have a manual option, but I cannot see the current 7-speed ticking the 'Innovation' box?!
At the same time (& despite AP's opposition to dual clutch units) my money is firmly on an AMG DCT from the GT as it reflects what attracts new buyers. 2p dropped.
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