New Vantage Model
Discussion
The lightweight seats save 20kg, and they seem to be standard on the S, so thats the weight difference.
Wonder how they got the 10bhp? Can't have been difficult, its only a 2.3% increase in power, and whilst its always nice to have more power, it's hard to imagine it making any noticeable difference
Wonder how they got the 10bhp? Can't have been difficult, its only a 2.3% increase in power, and whilst its always nice to have more power, it's hard to imagine it making any noticeable difference
The only "real" improvement is the transmission and, honestly, it not what I might have hoped for. Just an upgrade of the current one instead of something a little more impressive.
Fine with me at the moment since I perfectly happy with the one I have. Now, if they had a special addition that came with a good service department, I'd sign up for it.
Fine with me at the moment since I perfectly happy with the one I have. Now, if they had a special addition that came with a good service department, I'd sign up for it.
Adam2S said:
jonamv8 said:
Vantage fan - any figures on the weight saving?
The info is all on the AM website.V8
Weight (Coupe): 1630 kg (3595 lb)
Weight (Roadster): 1710 kg (3770 lb)
V8S
Kerb Weight (Coupe) 1610 kg (3549 lb)
Kerb Weight (Roadster) 1690 kg (3726 lb)
So its a 20KG reduction in weight - which is probably down to the V12 splitter and diffuser I would guess - possibly some weight saving in the new gearbox?? 20kg isnt much - just like 10BHP isnt much either but its prob enough to make people want the V8S I guess.
MichaelV8V said:
The lightweight seats save 20kg, and they seem to be standard on the S, so thats the weight difference.
No this looks incorect - checkout the specs on the AM website!http://www.astonmartin.com/eng/thecars/v8vantages/...
The lightweight seats are listed as an option and it says it has sports seats as standard! The weight saving is elsewhere...
Now Ive read all the bumph this car seems to be a V8V with a very healthy dollop of V12V mixed in!
Visually it has got the front splitter, rear diffuser, side sills (different to the N400 sills), clear rear lights and the rear boot lip all from a V12V so visually its quite similar - but doesnt have the bonnet vents or the lowered ride height.
Inside it has a few trim specials (most of which can be replaced on the spec sheet) and also has cruise, bluetooth and Xennon HID lights fitted as standard.
Mechanically it has 10BHP more power and 20Nm more torque - also has the sport button feature from the V12V. A new "2nd generation" 7speed sportshift gearbox is fitted as standard and I would hazzard a guess that this is going to be responsible for most of any performance uplift. Revised chassis with new springs and wider rear wheels and new bespoke tyres. Larger front brake discs with 6pot calipers and the steering ratio seems to have been adjusted to 15:1 to improve response. Finally a new exhaust muffler map that is unique to the S (I reckon that pulling the fuse out will negate this difference tho).
All in all looks petty good to me - what Im not sure of is if this is a special edition or a new permanent model but I am going down to the dealer anyway today so I will ask then.
Anybody care to work out the cost of the std fit items above and see how much "value" there is left in a V8S improvements? Im guessing it will work out quite favourable for what you seem to get.
Interesting review here with lots more info http://www.wheels24.co.za/News/General_News/Astons... - already it is being called a V12V killer, obviously over dramatising but it does seem to be good value to me at this point.
Edited by Adam2S on Wednesday 26th January 09:52
Shmee said:
It has 10 more bhp and a 7 speed gearbox; I'm guessing that will actually make a difference to drive and in performance - any clues?
In fairness it also has sports button throttle mapping like the V12, different dampers, springs, steering rack, front brakes and rear wheels width 
So I guess the difference will be noticable if you drive it hard
I suspect much of it (other than the gearbox) is a parts bin make over.
sports pack suspension, V12 sports button system, V12/N400 body kit, light weight seats etc
I'm presuming it sells along side the "standard" V8
For me it is visually better but does not provide significant enough performance improvements.
I agree with others comments they need to get a bit more imaginative rather than rehashing the parts bin every years!
What about an offical supercharged version (XKR 5.0 engine)
(obviously with less power than the V12
)Edited by mikey k on Wednesday 26th January 13:11
Just been into my dealer and asked about the V8S... There understanding was that for now it is a special edition but it will almost certainly become a permanent addition to the range.
The big news on the V8S is 2nd gen sportshift which they feel will be the reason to buy the car and to stump up the £10k premium over the standard model. For now the V8S is only available in sportshift2. The reviews and tests will tell, but if it really is a considerable improvement over current 1st gen sportshift then I can see the V8S being the car of choice for sportshift buyers and the V8 being the car of choice for manual buyers.
The big news on the V8S is 2nd gen sportshift which they feel will be the reason to buy the car and to stump up the £10k premium over the standard model. For now the V8S is only available in sportshift2. The reviews and tests will tell, but if it really is a considerable improvement over current 1st gen sportshift then I can see the V8S being the car of choice for sportshift buyers and the V8 being the car of choice for manual buyers.
Adam2S said:
already it is being called a V12V killer, obviously over dramatising but it does seem to be good value to me at this point.
I doubt that. However I'm sure its going to be a good car. The Vantage S to me looks like a V8V in a V12V party frock. The front/rear diffusers and the V12V boot (CF) and probably a light-weight bonnet are probably enough to shave 20kg off the standard V8V. Add a 7speed box and a slight remap of the EMU and there will be an unmistakable boost. It will continue to lack 4 cylinders, 1.3 Litres of displacement, DBS tuning and those legendary ceramic anchors.However, moving the Vantage S up the ranks to be No.2 in the pile - I doubt AM will do that (and depose the DBS to number 3!). Theres also the point that perhaps no matter how powerful they make the car, the stability at speeds over 180/190mph has to be questionable for a road going car of that shape.
A good car, but to me, natural design progression to make the V8V more marketable until the new DB11/12/13/14 roll-out in 2014.
I'm sure we will see a DBS-S, V12V-S, V12V-RS and DB9-S all roll out before then. i.e. an extension of an aging fleet of cars for marketing reasons. Want proof. Look at the Vanquish.
G
Edited by Guycord on Wednesday 26th January 17:19
If I (still) owned a V12 Vantage and saw this I'd drive up to Gaydon and kick someone in management in the balls. Aston have finally lost the plot. Aston = Porsche = Aston
Fools will buy this, no offense. It's marketing b
ks. That's all. Please Aston.. I know times are lean but please stop this strategy of brand dilution.
Fools will buy this, no offense. It's marketing b
ks. That's all. Please Aston.. I know times are lean but please stop this strategy of brand dilution. If I (still) owned a V12 Vantage and saw this I'd drive up to Gaydon and kick someone in management in the balls. Aston have finally lost the plot. Aston = Porsche = Aston
Fools will buy this, no offense. It's marketing bks. That's all. Please Aston.. I know times are lean but please stop this strategy of brand dilution.
Fools will buy this, no offense. It's marketing b
ks. That's all. Please Aston.. I know times are lean but please stop this strategy of brand dilution. polar8 said:
If I (still) owned a V12 Vantage and saw this I'd drive up to Gaydon and kick someone in management in the balls. Aston have finally lost the plot. Aston = Porsche = Aston
Fools will buy this, no offense. It's marketing bks. That's all. Please Aston.. I know times are lean but please stop this strategy of brand dilution.
Ill have to disagree with you on these points.Fools will buy this, no offense. It's marketing b
ks. That's all. Please Aston.. I know times are lean but please stop this strategy of brand dilution. I still own a V12V and I have no reason to want to kick AM in the balls. I dont get it - sure this car has some of the V12V features but the costmetics (in which is most closely resembles one) are the most trivial area really. In terms of power it bridges only 1/9 of the difference and to boot you have to take Sportshift with the V8S - completly the opposite of V12V. Sure it bridges the gap a bit but it doesnt make either other car obselete. Thats like saying ford should only make the basic Focus 1.4 style pop and the RS model and nothing in between. Porsche have tens of different models just within the 911 range and their brand isnt diluted or any the worse for it - hell they were so successful they almost took over the mighty VW a couple of years back before screwing it all up in the boardroom / stockmarket!
Fools will buy this - I dont get it? Its £10k more yet comes with at least £3.5k of extra kit as standard (that many people will be adding anyway) and then you get the added power and chassis improvements - let alone the cost you would have to spend to get the cosmetic upgrades. Its a bargain if its to your spec / liking. Most normal people would see anybody spending c£100k (or more) on a car as a fool to be honest, so this is just nonsence.
Why is it brand dilution?? Its expanding the range with more options to suit more buyers. You could say the DBS was brand dilution on this basis - I mean why did we need it when we had the DB9 already?? At the end of the day this will help AM make more money and that has to be good for all of us. The last news we want to hear as owners is that Aston has gone into administration and stopped making cars like so many british car makers before have done. Come on mate - back AM up, this is a great model and there are some very serious and credible upgrades on it. If it attracts a few more buyers to AM from porsche or whoever than thats a good thing and Im sure many buyers will love the V8S and will buy it.
Edited by Adam2S on Thursday 27th January 00:35
Well said Adam.
My guess is that a lot of V8 buyers will actually choose the V8S over the standard version. It seems to be a very good package when the SS II does work as promised.
Just saw the sales figures of Switzerland for 2010:
58 Vantages V8
37 Vantages V12
so those numbers will very likely transform into 40 or more V8S for 2011.
Its a clever move to upshift the price for the V8 by quite some margin.
My guess is that a lot of V8 buyers will actually choose the V8S over the standard version. It seems to be a very good package when the SS II does work as promised.
Just saw the sales figures of Switzerland for 2010:
58 Vantages V8
37 Vantages V12
so those numbers will very likely transform into 40 or more V8S for 2011.
Its a clever move to upshift the price for the V8 by quite some margin.
I know it is not everyones cup of tea...nor that the finances of every individual can stretch so far.
However, in hindsight, although I loved moving from a 4.3L V8V to a brand new 4.7L, then to the V12V, I wish I had gone from the 4.3 to the 6.0 in one rather than two steps.
To my mind, the quantum between the V8 and the V12 vantage in terms of "performance feel" is huge and would heartily recommend that anyone considering a V8VS at £110k, should seriously look at a 2-3K V12V for the same if not lower price.
May not be directly good for AM sales and good for used V12 residuals but hey.
G
However, in hindsight, although I loved moving from a 4.3L V8V to a brand new 4.7L, then to the V12V, I wish I had gone from the 4.3 to the 6.0 in one rather than two steps.
To my mind, the quantum between the V8 and the V12 vantage in terms of "performance feel" is huge and would heartily recommend that anyone considering a V8VS at £110k, should seriously look at a 2-3K V12V for the same if not lower price.
May not be directly good for AM sales and good for used V12 residuals but hey.
G
To be fair to Aston, this does look like a decent attempt at creating a more sporting Vantage, it's not just a cosmetic options exercise they have enhanced chassis, steering, engine and brakes!
More Power - + 10bhp 15lbft torque
Less weight - 20kg lighter (37kg lighter with optional sports seats).
New tyre compounds and wider footprint (& rear track)
Uprated 380mm 6 piston front brakes
New dampers and springs for improved handling
Sport button (& uprated DSC)
New 7 speed Sportshift II
Improved much more direct steering with Sevotronic Control
Exterior bodykit for a VV12 look and improved downforce/cooling
A few extra goodies inside (Bluetooth, S touches etc etc)
Just depends on the price you can get one for vs a lightly used Vantage V12 with a real stick shift
More Power - + 10bhp 15lbft torque
Less weight - 20kg lighter (37kg lighter with optional sports seats).
New tyre compounds and wider footprint (& rear track)
Uprated 380mm 6 piston front brakes
New dampers and springs for improved handling
Sport button (& uprated DSC)
New 7 speed Sportshift II
Improved much more direct steering with Sevotronic Control
Exterior bodykit for a VV12 look and improved downforce/cooling
A few extra goodies inside (Bluetooth, S touches etc etc)
Just depends on the price you can get one for vs a lightly used Vantage V12 with a real stick shift
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