Is this a turbocharged Aston Vantage?
PH's very own spy video seems to offer a tantalising turbo whistle - or are we imagining it?
Our man at the 'ring, Dale Lomas, took this rather intriguing footage from the trackside during an 'Industry Pool testing day.
Listen carefully as the car clears the final apex and you might be able to make out what sounds like turbo boost pressure being released. And despite the V12 Vantage bodywork, is it us, or does that sound like a V8?
To be perfectly honest, we have no idea. But we do know that, what with the pressure on downsizing currently infecting motoring at every level, we wouldn't be at all surprised if the folks at Gaydon were at least toying with the idea of an emissions-friendly forced-induction V8 to replace the company's venerable V12.
So what do you think? Are we imagining it, or is there some sort of clandestine turbocharging going on at Aston?
If it is a forced induction, it wont be the first. They were very fond of them in he mid 90s, using a supercharger on both the DB7 and Vantage.
In the ealry 80s, Aston had the Bulldog prototype which was Turbocharged, as well as a prototype Lagonda.
Before then there have been various attempts of private owners to use forced induction: some DB2/4 were retro-fitted with them, and even some pre-war cars. The first was the "AM-Halford" special from 1924 (believed to be the first Turbocharged racing car)
I didn't hear a turbo whistle in that clip - it's too short and muffled.
Edit: Looking at the date, I am guessing that this is PH setting up an elaborate "Aston to use a 6 cylinder turbo from now on" April fools gag
Edit: Looking at the date, I am guessing that this is PH setting up an elaborate "Aston to use a 6 cylinder turbo from now on" April fools gag
April fools day Fail !!
Expect the article to read Aston to use Ford Ecotec derived V6 and twin-charge for next Vantage and Rapide. DB9 DBS and Virage to receive new V8 to replce V12, with sub 4ltr capacity.
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