The one car that keeps popping on your mind when you see these photos is the James Bond’s DB10. While the DB11 just borrowed the wheels and few curves, the 2018 Vantage seems to be almost obsessed with the world’s most popular spy’s car.
Not just the narrow headlamps and the grille, but the “pronounced upswept rear deck lid” as Aston Martin calls it, are all taken from the DB10. Interestingly, the wheels here are different. Aston says that the new Vantage generates a significant level of downforce.
The drama has been carried over to the interiors as well. But, besides the Mercedes infotainment system, the design seems to have some inspiration from the AMG GT series, especially the placement of the circular PRND buttons in an inverted V shape. Overall, it’s a fresh looking interior that most of them will like.
Personalisation options include forged alloy wheels in a variety of finishes, Sports Plus Collection (comprising Sports Plus seats and Sports steering wheel), carbon fibre interior and exterior detailing and a Premium Audio System.
Powertrain
Powering the new Vantage is an AMG-sourced 4.0L V8 biturbo that is also offered as an option in the DB11. Here, the engine develops 503 bhp at 6,000 rpm and 685 Nm of torque from 2,000-5,000 rpm. Power is sent to the rear wheels via 8-speed ZF automatic.
The engine has been set low and as far back in the chassis as possible for optimal centre-of-gravity and perfect 50:50 weight distribution.
The vehicle measures 1,530 kg dry (with lightweight options), and is capable of accelerating from 0 to 62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 3.6 seconds and on to a maximum speed of 195 mph (314 km/h).
Electronic systems include Dynamic Stability Control and Dynamic Torque Vectoring. The speed-dependent electric power steering has 2.4 turns lock-to-lock for a perfect combination of quick-wits and precise, intuitive control.
For the first time on an Aston Martin, the new Vantage also features an Electronic Rear Differential (E-Diff). This differential is linked to the car’s electronic stability control system, so it can understand the car’s behaviour, and react accordingly to direct the engine’s power to the relevant wheel. Unlike a conventional LSD, it can go from fully open to 100% locked in a matter of milliseconds. At higher speeds, the Electronic Differential’s speed and sensitivity of response enables the system to take very fine control of the car’s dynamic behaviour. It makes the car feel much more composed both in terms of its straight-line stability and its cornering performance, providing the driver with increased levels of confidence to explore and enjoy the car’s capabilities to the full.
The chassis is an evolution of the latest generation bonded aluminium structure first seen on the DB11, though some 70% of the structure’s components are new for the Vantage. Highlights of the chassis include a solidly mounted rear subframe for an enhanced feeling of direct connection for the driver, new Pirelli P Zero tyres developed specifically for the new Vantage and the latest generation Adaptive Damping System which incorporates Skyhook technology and offers the choice of Sport, Sport Plus and Track modes.
The new Vantage carries a price tag of $149,995 in the USA. Deliveries in the second quarter of 2018.
Recommended for you
Leave a Reply
Note: Comments that are unrelated to the post above get automatically filtered into the trash bin.
