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The 4.7-litre V8 engine has been recalibrated for race use, featuring a free flowing exhaust system and air filters, with the standard V8 dry sump lubrication system maintained to help prevent oil surge during cornering.

 

An evolution of the previous 4.3 litre Vantage N24, the more responsive larger capacity engine provides increased torque throughout the rev range.

“We have built on this success to develop the Vantage GT4, a competitive racing car for professional and semi-professional drivers, but also a forgiving car which will appeal to enthusiasts who wish to use it for track days and club racing.”

The Vantage GT4 can be supplied with either a six speed manual, or a Sportshift transmission with paddle controls, although both versions feature a Valeo twin-plate cerametallic racing clutch and lightweight flywheel to complete the powertrain specification.

 

Inside, the car has been fitted with a high-strength steel rollcage and Recaro competition seats, suede-trimmed steering wheel with quick release mechanism, Sabelt sixpoint safety harness with a push-button release and Lifeline Zero 360 gas extinguisher system.

The suspension has only been slightly retuned for competition; this includes larger diameter front and rear anti-roll bars and adjustable ride height aluminium dampers, as well as single rate, flat ground springs with separate helper springs and a modified front subframe to dial in some extra camber.

 

Active safety systems are directly carried over to the Vantage GT4, including dynamic stability control, traction control, ABS and electronic brakeforce distribution, providing reassurance and enhanced control in slippery conditions.

Aston Martin Racing is now the only manufacturer to produce cars in each of the GT classes: GT1, GT2, GT3 and GT4.

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This same prototype made its sneak peek debut at the Paris Auto Show with just a small tease revealed from underneath its cover.

It is almost certain that we will see subtle revisions in the final production model, with details such as the blackened headlights likely to be replaced with more appropriate clear lenses.

 

Aston Martin still has at least one more ace up its sleeve, with the interior of the One-77 still firmly under wraps.

There will be a strictly limited production run of only 77 units, each priced in excess of $1-million - however early reports suggest all have already been spoken for.

Source: 925.nl

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BMW’s head of development, Klaus Draeger, has been reported as saying that BMW is moving forward with plans to sell its engines to Mercedes, as well as other brands.

“We are ready in principle to sell our engines to a competitor. And yes, we are talking openly with Mercedes about several possibilities,” Draeger said.

Aston Martin was also another name specifically mentioned in discussion. BMW’s V12 is said to be one of the first engines to make the transition across brands.

If the components are the right price, it would make sense for Merc (and others) to take on the engines and concentrate on other areas of its cars.

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The One-77 has dethroned the Veyron as the most expensive production car in the world, but the price tag doesn’t seem to have dampened its appeal, nor has the current global economic woes.

Each interested buyer will have to make an initial deposit of £200,000 as advance payment, a second instalment of £300,000 and a final instalment of £550,000 plus the additional cost of any extras.

Aston Martin has officially revealed the One-77 will be powered by a 7.3-litre V12 engine and feature a carbon-fibre monocoque chassis and hand-crafted aluminium exterior panels.

A slight glimpse of the prototype One-77 was revealed at the Paris Auto Show earlier this month.

Source: TheSun Image: Autoblog

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Now before I begin please allow me to quantify my next comment, for it is not my intention to detract from the previous 4.3-litre engined car’s capabilities in any way. I dearly loved the previous model, but by the same token I hasten to add that this is the Vantage as it should have always been.

 

The 4.7-litre, or 09MY (2009 Model Year in Aston language), is a far better balanced, much more responsive and so dexterously agile example of a sports roadster than the predecessor, yet it remains as fantastically docile (when the mood takes you) and gracefully attractive as always was the V8 Vantage.

As I was only afforded a relatively short time with the Roadster, a First Steer is par for the course for now, with a full review expected when next we drive the Vantage twins in December.

 

But that aside, the new Vantage Roadster proved in a short space of time that it is arguably the ultimate example of what a high performance luxury roadster can be. It truly is a beautiful piece of machinery. The exterior skin, whilst stunning and flowing, tells only half the story though with the full experience only lived once you’ve been in the driver’s seat.

The cockpit is a thing of beauty, for not only is the Vantage a purposeful sports car, it is a contemporary example of luxury sports motoring at the same time, with all the modern features you’d expect of a modern car, plus a comfort and level of satisfaction only achieved from placing yourself behind the wheel of something so truly magical as an Aston Martin (I am especially fond of the 700W Premium Audio System).

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2008 Aston Martin DBS Review

2008 Aston Martin DBS first steer

2008 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster review

2007 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Road Test

2007 Aston Martin DB9 Coupe Road Test

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Believe it or not, New South Wales has some of the finest roads in the country, just head south towards Gundagai and Tumut and you’ll be rewarded with what looks awfully like a German autobahn.

But there is one huge difference, in Germany, you can safely sit on 200km/h in your diesel powered Mondeo, which is a vastly different story to the coma inducing 110km/h speed limit in Australia. But lets not go there, its too damn depressing.

Picture instead, a stunningly beautiful, onyx black Aston Martin V8 Vantage Coupe, low flying towards the Snowy Mountains and you’ll know how we felt when we got the call from Aston Martin to say that our scheduled first Australian test of the revised 2009 V8 Vantage, had been brought forward a week.

I have yet to meet a single soul on this planet who isn’t immediately seduced by an Aston Martin V8 Vantage, and that includes employees from the world’s best sports car brands.

This is a car, which embodies all that this top shelf English marque stands for.

The small and relatively discrete Aston Martin ‘wings’ badge oozes class, as does each and every panel.

Walk around the car with a discerning eye, and there isn’t a bad angle, its all good.

You won’t find four exhaust tips protruding from the back end of the Vantage either, that would be far too crass. Two large pipes are sufficient for any Aston, and even then, they sit almost flush and don’t protrude.

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Also announced is the power output. Said to “top 700bhp” (520kW), the new V12 will hurl the car from 0-100km/h in a claimed 3.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 320km/h.

More details have emerged on the web, with the transmission being said to be an automated manual six-speed with paddle shifts.

Torque is touted as being over 750Nm, with traction being controlled by not only dynamic stability control, but also an adaptive suspension system.

With its aluminium panels, and carbon-fibre monocoque, the weight of the car is being put at around 1500kgs. That being the case,  in gear acceleration should be formidable, too.

You can visit Aston Martin’s new teaser website to enquire about the car, should you have nearly £1 million to spare. Click here.

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Buttons on the fascia are used to select drive, park and reverse settings, with leather-trimmed magnesium paddles mounted behind the wheel to shift up and down gears. Once a paddle is activated, manual control is selected, with the driver needing to select “Drive” to return to full automatic mode. There is also a “Sport” setting with more aggressive throttle mapping and gear changes.

The 0-100km/h time of 4.3 seconds is unchanged, mainly due to a shortening of the final drive ratio from 3.15:1 to 3.46:1. Top speed of 307km/h is also unchanged.

In addition, the DBS now comes with BeoSound, Bang and Olufsen’s bespoke audio equipment for the DBS. 13 channels, 10 speakers, 1000W - it’s all fitting for Aston Martin.

An optional 2+2 seating configuration will now be offered also, along with new 10-spoke 20-inch wheels with a diamond turned surface, which saves 8kg in unsprung mass.

Pricing on the DBS starts at $497,441 for the manual, and $505,691 for the new Touchtronic 2, excluding on-road costs.

Click through to watch our exclusive Aston Martin first steer and review videos.

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Aston Martin has also bolstered its relationship with the iconic circuit by announcing a new display showroom and VIP business lounge in the new Nürburgring trackside development due for completion in June 2009.

“The Nürburgring has played an important part in the development of our cars in recent years and of course we have a fine racing pedigree here too. We are therefore extremely pleased to be able to demonstrate our bond with the Nürburgring even more clearly by extending our involvement.”

The DBS, DB9, V8 Vantage and forthcoming Rapide and V12 Vantage all accumulated over 10,000kms of driving on the Nürburgring during development as part of mandatory durability testing for all new Aston’s.

The Test Centre provides 2400 square metres of space to support Nürburgring racing teams and its customers.

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