German Car Zone

While the DBS is being repeatedly abused on Bond film sets around the world and the V12 Vantage was recently confirmed for production, Aston Martin has set about updating its successful V8 Vantage with a host of technical and technological improvements, the first since the car was introduced for public sale in 2005. That sexy Aston silhouette remains untouched, fortunately, and there is enough extra performance to keep pace with the competition.

At the forefront of the update is an 11% boost in power to 420hp and a 15% rise in torque to 470Nm. The gains come from an additional 0.4L of displacement, bringing the V8 engine up to 4.7L. The new power and more responsive mid-range brings 0-60mph times down to just 4.7s and lets the Vantage carry on to a top speed of 180mph.
Because Aston is not a full-line car maker, and therefore doesn’t have a minicar to help improve its overall emissions and fuel consumption figures, the company has put a lot of energy into improving the efficiency of its engines. Even with the significant rise in power and performance, the new engine also improves fuel economy and CO2 emissions by 13%, helped in part by the improved Sportshift transmission.
But the update isn’t solely mechanical - there are significant upgrades inside the cabin as well. A revised center console houses new switchgear, and a new ECU replaces the previous model’s ‘V8 Vantage’ key. The ECU is a construction of glass, stainless steel and polycarbonate that functions as a key, though it is not one by any classical definition. It was first used on the 2007 DBS. Other interior upgrades include a hard disk-based navigation system that features full iPod or MP3 player integration and improved graphics.
On the outside, a new range of 19-inch alloy wheels will let the aficionado spot the new model from a distance, though it will carry on with the V8 Vantage’s winning looks otherwise.
motorauthority

Finally. The car was begging for a power bump.

Not really a power bump that was needed for the Vantage but a torque bump. If you'll recall the old 4.3 litre was actually short on torque: only 410 Nm and below the mandatory 100 Nm per litre mark for a performance car. With 470 Nm, the Vantage I feel will be much more frisky and certainly more empowered to make use of its till now unchallenged chassis.

Still far from interesting.

Whaaat? Are you feeling a little tired after a hard week's work my old friend?

With looks like these and such supreme handling, the slight matter of the Vantage being a little "down" on power vs. more extreme and expensive hardware is immaterial. At 470 Nm it easily eclipses a Carrera S - or even GT3 for that matter - and is a whisker more than an F430.

How much more interesting do you want? Oh wait - I'll shut up - you'll be satisfied with the Vantage RS!

LOL Martin

I don't know what's wrong with me but seriously i'm so tired of Astons,i don't get excited at all whenever i see new comer or update from them.and that power upgrade will be soon eclipsed by the revamped 997 range models so i'm sure u'll forget about this AM as soon Porsche releases the FL 997 models

I'm not so sure, Tarek... mark my words - the new 997 Carrera S won't develop anything more than 295 kW and 420 Nm. So the Aston Vantage has made a serious amount of ground in this significant step forward.

Did the displacement gains come as a result of increased bore or increased stroke?

Hey check this post - it's post no. 1,(997) - how appropriate!

Lol

Well the FL 997 won't push 470nm of torque but it'll be as fast as the AM,from previous tests the AM always more needs more power just to keep up and i won't even mention the new California,F430 or Gallardo which will even shame the big dogs from AM

These Astons are somptuous... What a shape..What a noise (there are a lot of them in Paris, it's a pleasure)...

For me it's the first and only car that seriously threatens the 911 in more than 40 years. (the R8 is -it may sound harsh- merely a joke for the 911, both from a noise and design POV). I see some of them, it's far from standing out of the crowd like the Aston or the 911.

You must be kidding,aprat from GT2/3 the R8 pretty much humiliated every other 997 even the turbo around a track and for the looks i think that the R8 looks more exotic than the everywhere 911 cars