NEW Aston Martin V8 Vantage – spied in final testing

All-new Aston Martin V8 Vantage to introduce new styling and AMG V8 engine

Pictures of Aston Martin testing its all-new V8 Vantage continue to stream out before its reveal later in the year. As the replacement of Aston Martin’s highest selling model ever, the new Vantage has much resting on its newly formed shoulders, not least the pressure of forming the backbone of Aston Martin’s model range before the brand’s rapid expansion into new market segments really kicks off.

We’ll get our first glimpse of the finished car in the form of Aston Martin’s 2018 FIA GTE V8 Vantage race car – crucial successor to the marque’s successful WEC racing car –  that’s due to race in the 2018 season. Until then, these finished-body prototypes appear to be undergoing the final stages of testing, complete with production-ready lights, usually a sign of the cars impending reveal.

Styling wise, Aston Martin looks to have wisely moved the new Vantage further away from its bigger DB11 brother – often the only criticism of the old car. This new Vantage looks to adopt the shark-nose grill of the one-off DB10 seen in the James Bond, combined with a tighter body.

The DB11’s contentious floating roof strakes also look to be missing from underneath the camouflaged wrap, as is the front wheel arch vent pointing towards a few unique design flourishes that should debut with this new Vantage.

As with the DB11, the new Vantage will benefit from Aston Martin’s relationship with Mercedes-Benz (the two work together on powertrain development and the latter owns a five per cent share in the former), but unlike the V12 it will go beyond the use of infotainment systems and unseen electronic aids and will include AMG’s hot-vee twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 engine.

Sticking with the capacity as used by AMG in the likes of the C and E63, and GTsportcars car, the new Vantage is expected to arrive with circa 500bhp allowing the range to grow with ever more powerful derivatives. AMG already squeezes near on 600bhp from the same engine, which should be plenty for the Vantage S model, while a V12 Vantage is also expected to arrive later in the model’s life cycle, along with a roadster. Later this year Aston Martin will also launch the DB11 V8 in preparation for the arrival of Bentley’s new Continental GT.

Aston is expected to offer both a manual and auto gearbox with its new Vantage, the former a six-speed the latter at least an eight-speed and also sourced from AMG. Expect a low 4.0-second 0-60mph time and a 190mph plus maximum.

With the outgoing V8 Vantage currently starting at £94,995 Aston Martin ownership is likely to be a six-figure buy in when the car is available to order later in the year.

 

article from: aston martin v8 vantage