Replacing a car like the previous-gen Vantage is an
incredibly difficult task since that model was universally praised for its
drop-dead gorgeous looks but Aston Martin has made it look easy with the
breathtaking new Vantage.
Everything is new on Aston Martin’s latest
sportscar, from the chassis to the powertrain and from the onboard technology
to the clever aero agenda. Power comes as expected from the AMG-sourced
twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 that here makes 503 hp and 685 Nm of
torque. Paired to it is an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission, with Aston
Martin hinting at a manual option later on.
Aston Martin says they’ve mounted the engine as low
and as far back as possible to ensure optimal center-of-gravity and that
perfect 50-50 weight distribution. Dry weight is an impressive 1,530 kg. 0-100 km/h comes in 3.6 seconds while top speed is 313 km/h.
The chassis is an evolution of the DB11’s aluminum
structure, with Aston Martin claiming that 70 percent of it is new for the
Vantage. The rear subframe is now solidly mounted to make the driver feel more
connected while the suspension employs double wishbones at the front and a
multi-link setup at the rear. The latest generation of active dampers are also
present, offering three modes: Sport, Sport Plus and Track.
The new Aston Martin Vantage is also the company’s
first model to use an electronic rear differential (E-Diff). Linked to the
vehicle’s electronic stability control system, the new differential adapts its
characteristics much more cleverly than a conventional LSD, making the car feel
more composed, both on a straight line and while cornering.
Aerodynamics was also a key point to the design of
the new Vantage; Aston Martin was able to employ all the latest tricks without
littering the car’s curvy bodywork. The front splitter is designed to direct
airflow underneath the car, with the floor featuring special channels to
continue guiding it into the right places and of course make sure that the
airflow into the rear diffuser is clean and uninterrupted. Even the new side
gills are designed to bleed air pressure out from the front wheel arches while
the rear deck lid produces “a significant level of downforce”.
Aston Martin has opened the order books for the
all-new Vantage today; prices start from £ 120,900 in the UK, € 154,000 in
Germany and US$ 149,995 in the US. The first cars are expected to be delivered
during the second quarter of 2018.