More power for Aston Martin V8 Vantage
May 23, 2008 by Karl Peskett
One of our favourite cars here at CarAdvice, the Aston Martin V8 Vantage, has received an upgrade, eliminating one of the car’s biggest criticisms – a lack of power.
Sure, there was no lack of sound – oh my god, the sound – but it never felt as fast as it looked. Well, the well proven 4.3-litre V8 has now been increased in capacity, to 4.7-litres, meaning an increase to 313kW and 470Nm.
Both the standard manual gearbox and the optional Sportshift™ transmission benefit from a modified clutch and flywheel, reducing clutch pedal efforts and delivering a 0.5kg weight saving, reducing the rotating masses within the powertrain, and hence increasing engine responsiveness.
0-100km/h is now 4.8 seconds meaning the baby Aston is now as quick as a BMW M3. But it’s also faster, with a top speed of 288km/h (the BMW’s being limited to 250km/h).
Aston Martin Chief Executive Officer, Dr Ulrich Bez said: “Continued development and evolution of our unique VH (Vertical-Horizontal) architecture has brought even higher levels of refinement and dynamic performance to our whole range.
“With the new 4.7 litre engine and associated changes we have taken the V8 Vantage to new levels of performance to produce an even more desirable sports car.
“The V8 Vantage is now the most successful Aston Martin in our history and we are confident these changes will continue its appeal and driving enjoyment for both new and existing customers.”
Suspension has been revised to account for the increase in speed, with front spring rates stiffened by 11% at the front and 5% at the rear. The V8 Vantage also now benefits from Bilstein dampers as standard.
Steering geometry is also modified to improve steering feel, while the front lower suspension arm compliance bushes are stiffened by 22% to provide enhanced steering response and handling.
The interior is also upgraded with a new centre console, and the key being replaced by an Emotional Control Unit, first seen in the DBS.
Specification: Aston Martin V8 Vantage
Body
Two-door style coupe body style with tailgate or two-door body with soft cover convertible top and heated glass rear screen with 2+0 seating. Bonded aluminium structure, aluminium alloy, steel, composite, and magnesium alloy body. Extruded aluminium side impact bars. Halogen projector headlamps (main beam). LED rear lamps.
Engine
Aston Martin all alloy quad overhead camshaft 32 valve, 4735cc 4.7 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.
Transmission
Rear mid-mounted six-speed manual gearbox with optional Sportshift*4 automated manual transmission. Alloy torque tube with carbon fibre propeller shaft. Limited slip differential. Final drive ratio 3.909:1.
Steering
Rack and pinion, power assisted steering, 3.0 turns lock to lock. Column tilt and reach adjustment. Electronic steering column lock.
Wheels and Tyres
Standard: 19’’ alloy wheels – 20 spoke design – Front: 8.5J x 19’’ / Rear: 9.5J x 19’’. Bridgestone Potenza tyres – Front: 235/40 ZR19. Rear: 275/35 ZR19.
Optional: 19’’ alloy wheels – 7 spoke design – Front: 8.5J x 19’’ / Rear: 9.5J x 19’’. Bridgestone Potenza tyres – Front: 235/40 ZR19. Rear: 275/35 ZR19.
Suspension
Front: Independent double aluminium wishbones incorporating anti-dive geometry, coil springs, anti-roll bar and monotube dampers.
Rear: Independent double aluminium wishbones incorporating anti-squat and anti-lift geometry, coil springs, anti-roll bar and monotube dampers.
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.
Front: Ventilated grooved steel discs 355mm diameter.
Rear: Ventilated and grooved steel discs 330mm diameter.
Interior
Full grain leather interior. Alcantara headlining. Alloy facia trim and graphite centre console finish. Electrically adjustable seats. Dual stage driver and passenger airbags. Side airbags. Heated rear screen. Automatic temperature control. Organic Electroluminescent (OEL) displays. Trip computer, Glass ECU. LED map reading lights. Rear parking sensors. Tyre pressure monitoring. Alarm and immobiliser. Remote control central door locking and boot release. Battery Disconnect Switch (BDS). Battery conditioner. Tracking device (UK only).
In-Car Entertainment
160W Aston Martin Audio System with six-CD autochanger. Integrated Apple iPod® connector*5. USB connector with Waveform Audio Format (WAF), Windows Media Player (WMA) and MPEG (MP3) audio file compatibility.
Options
Sportshift*4 automated manual transmission. Sports Pack. Hard Disk Drive (HDD) satellite navigation system*1+. High Intensity Discharge (HID) Headlamps (dipped beam). Satellite radio system (USA only). Piano Black facia trim. Personalised sill plaques. Auto dimming interior rear view mirror*1. Auto dimming interior rear view mirror with garage door opener*1. Alarm upgrade (volumetric and tilt sensor). Memory seats and exterior mirrors (three positions). Heated seats. Front parking sensors. Tracking device*2. First aid kit. Ashtray and cigar lighter. Cruise control. Bluetooth telephone preparation*1. Powerfold exterior mirrors. Boot mounted umbrella. 700W Aston Martin Premium Audio System with Dolby® Pro Logic II®.
Print it: 
I feel that A/M are a nowhere brand.
So many different owners, so many different directions.
For this money you would have to be MAD not to buy a pure-breed like a Ferrari or Maserati
Cheers
F-0
i think astons look 1000 times better then any other car around.
Furgal one, I guess it is a matter of taste. Most Aston Martin are GTs…cars that you can drive most of the time because they are confortable. Unlike the pure-breed ferrari where you can break your back bone if you go over speed bumps.
What is the RRP for Aus?
I don’t think a V8V is anywhere comparable to a Ferrari Frugal, it is priced directly against the Porsche 911. F430’s are close to double that.
And you can hardly say a DB9 competes with a F430.
The Vantage RS V12 will compete with the F430 and LP560-4.
And Aston Martins arent as common or as conformist like a Ferrari is…
Plus the added bonus of looking better than anything else on the road and its not as if they are slow either, and the sound is second to none.
Well, the DBS is hardly slow, we thought it was quicker off the line than Lamborghini’s Gallardo Superleggera (superlight) and that means it’s fundamentally, quick!
Oh, before I forget. The Vantage may not outdrag an equivalently priced Maserati or Porsche (it would be close) but I can assure you that the Vantage V8 has extraordinary grip and handling levels when pushed hard into bends. Such is the car’s balance that you would think it was all wheel drive!
At the risk of sounding like an Aston sales person, you cannot believe the the way the vantage V8 Roadster handles. It makes no difference whether the roof is up or down, the cars goes around bends like no other drop top. At over 200km/h you can carry on a normal conversation!
that hardtop is one of the best looking cars i have seen!!!
Anthony, do you work for caradvice?
I find journalists are to cynical, they don’t realise how amazing these cars are to us guys who commute in v6 commodores.
Martin, More Astons sold in Oz than Ferraris in 2007 – shows good taste I guess!
How come the wheels in the pictures don’t match the specs or option as listed?
More importantly why don’t I have one in the garage yet?
Ok Frugal – your opinion but from what I read here and generally msot people would aspire to and Aston rather than a Ferarri or Lambo.
I agree with Ivans comment. Given the choice of an AM or Ferarri to tour Europe mines the AM.
Oh and the power is a most welcome addition. Aston M. do appear to be up ‘n’ coming in the race world with competetive machines. Roll on
Yes Tom, I test for Car Advice.