Prodrive boosts AM Vantage V8
Better handling, power, and aero
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Prodrive has launched a range of parts for the Aston Martin V8 Vantage to improve the car’s performance and enhance its driving dynamics.
The range includes:
- A performance pack for the engine
- New driver-adjustable suspension
- Unique forged wheels
- A discreet aero package.
Prodrive has tuned the 4.3 litre V8 engine to raise peak power from 380bhp to 425bhp, as well as increasing peak torque from 302lb-ft to 325lb-ft. This reduces the car’s 0-62 mph time from 5.0 seconds to an estimated 4.7 seconds and increases the top speed by eight mph to 183 mph. A new throttle map, combined with the increase in torque, also make the engine more responsive throughout the rev range.
Prodrive has worked with suspension specialists, Bilstein and Eibach, to develop new driver-adjustable suspension. A switch in the cockpit allows the driver to choose between normal and sports mode. The normal mode has been designed to enhance the V8 Vantage’s existing ride and handling characteristics, while the firmer sports mode delivers an even more focussed driving experience on the road or for track use.
The engine performance pack has a modified exhaust system with a low back pressure sports catalyst and a driver-controlled switch to manually override the V8 Vantage’s exhaust valve. This gives the option of a quiet mode, where the valve is permanently closed; auto, where the valve operates as it does on the standard car; and sport mode, where the valve is permanently open where conditions allow.
The V8 Vantage’s aerodynamics have been analysed in the wind tunnel to develop an aero package to reduce high speed lift. The result is discreet Prodrive designed and manufactured carbon composite front lip and trunk spoilers, which are in keeping with the Vantage’s classic styling. Together, these reduce lift by 45 per cent, improving both high speed stability and grip.
Prodrive runs the Aston Martin Racing team in partnership with Aston Martin. It has used its experience of designing and developing DB9 and V8 Vantage-based race and rally cars to help create this range of performance enhancements for the road car. It has also carried through the unique design of the wheels used on the Aston Martin DBR9 GT1 racing car to special 14 spoke 19-inch forged wheels made by Prodrive Japan for the V8 Vantage. These come complete with Pirelli P-Zero tyres, which have been selected to match the new suspension and optimise the ride and handling.
“The V8 Vantage is already one of the world’s best sports cars,” said Roland Cherry, Prodrive performance products director. “Our aim was to develop a range of parts which enhanced the car’s performance but, most importantly, did not compromise the inherent Aston Martin driving characteristics or styling. I think we have achieved this with a range of parts owners can specify as a package or individually.”
The range of parts and prices will be available from early 2007.
Wheels are crap though.
Ali.
looks tempting (at least it would be if I could afford one) but the wheels are poop.
Big fan of pro-drive (although what they did with the RX8 was far too half-baked) and hope that perhaps they might turn their attentions to other Ford products such as the Focus ST. I'm test driving one tomorrow and would love it if after 6 months of ownership I could give it some extra spice (assuming I buy one of course)
The AM V8 is so nearly the car I want...they are 90% of the way there now!
Need to hear tales of trouble free ownership...instead of lots of niggly problems.
Wonder why AM are letting Prodrive market it? I would want these as factory options.
1) AM should have come up with a 'performance pach' themselves ... and
2) the car could do with a diet (1600 kg really is too much) and a bigger engine, indeed something producing in the region of 450 - 500 bhp would suit the car nicely ...
Bye bye P.....e 911
...But then the DB9 would need more power (which it definately does), then the DBS would need more power and so on.
Maybe next time 'round when a fresh model line up is introduced, I might buy back into AM.
I'm assuming all internals remain the same and are good for another 45bhp and this is just a remap. I guess you get a upgraded exhaust note (read lumpy) for free as a result. I can see all the other options will appeal to those who track the car a lot, but not me - there are much cheaper ways to go a lot faster.
For that sort of money you should be knocking on 4.0 IMHO, but a bit like Porsche, Aston have a problem that they can't make the whipper snapper that much quicker than their flagship model, and that's going to be hard to do because the DB9 is so heavy and hence slow it's hard not to make the differential massive.
As Mr Noggin says, unless they refresh the whole range and raise the bar on all of them it's hard to see me having one permanently in my fleet rather than just having one for the odd weekend.
J
For that sort of money you should be knocking on 4.0 IMHO, but a bit like Porsche, Aston have a problem that they can't make the whipper snapper that much quicker than their flagship model, and that's going to be hard to do because the DB9 is so heavy and hence slow it's hard not to make the differential massive.
As Mr Noggin says, unless they refresh the whole range and raise the bar on all of them it's hard to see me having one permanently in my fleet rather than just having one for the odd weekend.
J
Whatever. Go buy a Corvette ZO6, or a Subura WRX and knock yourself out. You have obviously missed the point of owning an Aston Martin.
I came out of a 911 Turbo & have loved the Aston, speed isn't everything!
But in honesty this fixation with one car being 1 second quicker than another to 100 mph, doesn't translate into big differences on the road, the reality is you would need a GT3/Turbo/430/Gallardo to put a decent amount of air between the Aston's front end & their rear bumper then you would need to be doing well over 100 to really pull out an embarrassing gap (& with the exception of the stripped out GT3, they average about £120k, to the Astons £90k with heavy spec)!
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