ASTON MARTIN V8 VANTAGE
If I had to describe the Aston Martin Vantage in one word, I'd say Awesome!
The Vantage is... drop dead gorgeous!
The Aston Martin Vantage is like no other car we've tested to date. The thing that stood out most with this test drive was the V8 motor. At idle you can only hear the muffled sound of the motor purring, as you accelerate, you hear the motor picking up revs, but when the tacho-needle sweeps past the four grand mark, the mighty 4.3 liter V8 lets you know that "Hey... it's now time to go". With a kick in the seat, the exhaust valves open and the motor is allowed to roar to it's full potential, accelerating away from anything and everything else on the road (with four wheels). You can feel the Aston Martin racing heritage in this car, besides having manigi power, it also hugs the road though corners and stops the 4382mm long, 1866mm wide, 1570kg beaut safely and efficiently. It's great at everything; going, stopping around corners and around town., and the bonus is, it also looks absolutely fantastic. Usually with sports cars, there are some sacrifices that are made, but the Aston Martin has it all. All the modern safety features; like ABS, Traction Control...
the Aston Martin is the MOST EXCITING car I have ever driven... so far
I'm still having wet dreams about the VANTAGE
ASTON MARTIN V8 VANTAGE
The V8 Vantage is a hand-crafted sports car that offers electrifying performance and outstanding agility.
The most affordable of all Aston Martins, it fuses traditional Aston Martin style and everyday usability.
The result is the world’s most desirable sports car, certainly ours.
EXHILARATING PERFORMANCE, AGILITY, LIGHT WEIGHT AND OUTSTANDING HANDLING
At the heart of every great sports car is a great engine; and in the case of the V8
Vantage, this has never been more true.
The Vantage has a powerful 4.3 liter 283 kW (380 bhp) V8 engine, unique to Aston
Martin. This is an engine designed by Aston Martin for Aston Martin. Developed
for flexibility as well as outright performance, the front mid-mounted Eight
also delivers an outstanding aural experience, as one would expect of an Aston
Martin with a potential maximum speed of 280 kph (and we almost got there).
Extraordinary engine power is not the only reason for the superb performance of the Vantage. Just as important is
its lightweight, all-alloy structure, which offers class-leading strength and rigidity.
The front mid-engined layout – the dry sump lubrication system allows the engine to sit low – and rear-mid
transmission help provide optimum front to rear weight distribution as well as a low centre of gravity. The result is
exceptional agility and inspired balance and handling.
DYNAMICS V8 VANTAGE POWERFUL, MUSICAL V8 ENGINE
THE HEART OF A GREAT SPORTS CAR
The Vantage is very fast. With 0-100 km/h in 5.0 seconds (0-60 mph in 4.9
seconds) and a potential maximum speed of 280 km/h (175 mph) its performance figures are as heady
as you would expect of an Aston Martin.
V8 VANTAGE SPECIFICATIONS:
BODY
Two seat, two door body with rear tailgate. Bonded aluminium structure, Aluminium alloy, steel,
composite, and magnesium alloy body. Extruded aluminium side impact bars. Halogen projector headlamps,
LED rear lamps.
ENGINE
All alloy quad overhead camshaft 32 valve, 4.3 litre V8, Variable inlet camshaft timing,
Dry sump lubrication system, Fully catalysed stainless steel exhaust system with active
bypass valves. Front mid-mounted engine Rear wheel drive
Maximum power: 283 kW (380bhp) @ 7300 rpm
Maximum torque: 410 Nm (302 lb.ft) @ 5000 rpm
Maximum speed: 280 km/h (175mph) (we almost got there)
Acceleration: 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.0 seconds, 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds
TRANSMISSION
Rear mid-mounted six speed manual gearbox, Alloy torque tube with carbon fibre propeller shaft,
Limited slip differential
Final drive ratio 3.909:1
STEERING
Rack and pinion power assisted steering, Column reach and tilt adjust
WHEELS & TYRES
10 spoke lightweight aluminium alloy wheels (standard) Front 8.5J x 18” Rear 9.5J x 18”
Bridgestone Potenza tyres Front 235/45 ZR18 Rear 275/40 ZR18, 7 spoke lightweight
aluminium alloy wheels, (optional) Front 8.5J x 19” Rear 9.5J x19” Bridgestone Potenza tyres
Front 235/40 ZR19 Rear 275/35 ZR19
SUSPENSION
Independent double aluminium wishbones, Coil over aluminium monotube dampers, Front and rear anti-roll bars
BRAKES
Radial-mounted four piston monobloc calipers. Dynamic Stability Control (DSC). Traction Control.
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS). Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) Emergency Brake Assist
(EBA). Positive Torque Control. Ventilated and grooved steel discs (355mm front,
330mm rear)
INTERIOR
Technical grain leather and Quantum fabric interior Alcantara and Quantum fabric headlining,
Alloy facia, Anthracite interior fittings, 10 way electrically adjustable seats,
Automatic temperature control, Heated rear screen, Radio tuner and 6 CD autochanger,
Battery Disconnect Switch (BDS), Trip computer, Dual stage driver and passenger airbags,
Side airbags, Alarm and immobiliser
OPTIONS
Full natural grain leather with full Alcantara headlining, Alternative facia trims
(walnut, mahogany, bamboo, piano black), High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps (dipped beam)
with powerwash, Bright finish grille, Alternative brake caliper finish (black, red, silver),
Platinum silver interior fittings, Heated seats, Heated front screen, Cruise control,
Reversing sensors, Battery conditioner, Powerfold mirrors, Integrated GSM telephone*,
Colour satellite navigation system with optional Traffic Messaging Channel (TMC)*,
Tracker Horizon (UK only) Alarm upgrade - tilt and volumetric sensor, Tyre pressure monitoring,
Smoker’s pack, Personalised sill plaques, Fire extinguisher, First aid kit
DIMENSIONS
Length 4382 mm (172.5 inches)
Width 1866 mm (73.5 inches) (excluding mirrors) 2022 mm (79.6 inches) (including mirrors)
(the mirrors are only there to see the other traffic disappearing in the Aston
Martin's dust)
Height 1255 mm (49.4 inches)
Wheelbase 2600 mm (102.4 inches)
Front track 1568 mm (61.7 inches)
Rear track 1562 mm (61.5 inches)
Turning circle (kerb to kerb) 11.1 m (36 feet 5 inches)
Boot capacity 300 litres (10.6 cu.ft) (Like we care how big the boot is).
Fuel capacity 77 litres (16.8 UK gal / 20.2 US gal) Cd 0.34
Weight 1570 kg (3461 lb)
*Not available in all markets, please consult your dealer for details. Dealers
will be in Sandton (Nick Naylor Tel: 011 509 5100), Cape Town, and Durban.
Aston Martin Lagonda Limited, Banbury Road, Gaydon, Warwickshire, CV35 0DB
England.
it should be called the Aston Martin Ad-vantage
the Aston Martin was better than sex... I think
sleek and very, very fast
now I know how 'James' would feel
This thing is fast, very fast and very, VERY lekker
Now how would you sum a car like this up, in one word?
Thanks to Clifford Joffe (Marketing Director for Aston Martin),
and Aston Martin Sandton for the drive in their dynamic V8 Vantage.
I just couldn't resist putting this picture in... one day when I win the lotto I'll have one.
Made me feel like two million Dollars - Photo by Dylan Slater