2018 Aston Martin Vantage revealed, delivers 503 horsepower

If you see the Aston Martin’s 2018 Vantage, you would think that it is significantly different from most of Aston’s GT lineup. For instance, if the DB11 is a fine gentleman, the Vantage is the hunter - that is how Miles Nurnberger, chief exterior designer describes it. Furthermore, it takes some of its design elements from James Bond’s DB10 in Spectre, wherein the automaker only built 10 cars for the movie.

Though it continues to have the Vantage’s basic proportions of a front-engine coupe with a low-arching roofline, it still looks a bit more aggressive than its predecessor. This could be because of the sloped shark nose and the more open front grille.

Moving onto the vehicle’s rear end, you would notice that it has been made with aerodynamic elements that had been seamlessly put into the structural design of the Vantage. It also has a complex rear diffuser that controls turbulence off the tires. This creates significant downforce with the help of the front splitter and the side gill panels.

For those who are interested in the 2018 Aston Martin Vantage, you’ll have to be willing to spend $149,995. This model is part of the second phase of Aston Martin’s second century plan after they introduced the DB11. The Vanquish will likely be the next model to be released in 2019.

INTERIOR DESIGN

Getting inside the Vantage, you would feel as if you are inside a cockpit, as everything has been designed in a concave fashion away from the driver - from the doors to the dashboard.

This design creates a negative space inside the car, fitting in a taller driver more easily. Its center stack and center console also looks as if they were inspired by Bond’s DB10. Transmission buttons have been arranged in a triangular cluster and the steering wheel has a flat bottom for more legroom.

The Vantage has a wheelbase that’s almost 10 inches longer than that of the 911-generation Carrera, though it is actually shorter than the Porsche 911. This makes the Vantage appear visually rooted, but the best part is that it gets more space inside the cabin.

POWERTRAIN

It is equipped with a 4.0 liter biturbocharged V8 and an all-new aluminum chassis that sits closer to the middle of the car for a 50/50 weight distribution. The engine was specifically tuned to the Vantage’s requirements, helping it carry out 503 horsepower, which is 80 hp more than the last V8 Vantage GT, and it has a torque of 505 pound-feet.

Overall, it weighs 300 pounds less than its predecessor, totaling 3,373 pounds, for a greatly improved power-to-weight ratio. In only 3.6 seconds, it can do the 0-60 miles per hour sprint, before continuing to its top speed of 195 miles per hour.

PRESS RELEASE

Introducing the new Vantage: the successor to a true sporting dynasty

An evocative name for a magnificent bloodline of thoroughbred sports cars. For seven decades the heartbeat of Aston Martin’s purest models, successive generations have built an enviable reputation for thrilling performance and enduring popularity. Today this formidable sporting dynasty is poised to hit new heights with the introduction of the new Vantage.

A spectacular new Aston Martin sports car demands a bold and distinctive design language. Pure, sculptural forms create an athletic, predatory stance, while the minimal front and rear overhangs, muscular flanks and broad haunches express the agility and dynamism inherent within the car. New head and tail lights form dramatic new signatures giving the Vantage unmistakable road presence and contribute to a strong and individual identity within the growing Aston Martin model range.

Aerodynamic performance is central to the Vantage concept: the front splitter directs airflow underneath the car, where a system of fences channels cooling air where it is needed, and also ensures the rear diffuser is fed with clean airflow. The design of the diffuser creates an area of low pressure air, while simultaneously preventing turbulence generated by the rear wheels from disrupting the flow of air exiting centrally from beneath the rear of the car.

Together with the new side gills, which have been integrated into the body surface and bleed air pressure out from the front wheel arches, and the pronounced upswept rear deck lid, the Vantage generates a significant level of downforce - a rarity on any production car and a first for a core production Aston Martin model.

The exciting design story continues inside the Vantage, with a dynamic and focused sports car cockpit that rejects long, fluid curves in favour of sharp, focused lines denoting the more aggressive nature of the car. A high waist interior theme and lower driving position creates a more immersive driving experience, and contributes to significant gains in occupant space and significant improvement in headroom compared with the outgoing Vantage. A combination of rotary and toggle style controls have been used for their unmatched tactile and intuitive functionality. Likewise the PRND transmission buttons have been moved into a triangular formation so as to cluster major controls into clearly defined zones. The interior also offers generous stowage space, with useable room behind the seats and generous double-tier storage areas.

The heart of the Vantage is Aston Martin’s potent new alloy, 4-litre twin-turbo V8 engine. Set low and as far back in the chassis as possible for optimal centre-of-gravity and perfect 50:50 weight distribution, this high performance, high efficiency engine returns a CO2 figure of *245g/km yet develops 503bhp at 6000rpm and 505lb.ft from 2000-5000rpm. With a dry weight of 3373lb this gives the Vantage formidable power-to-weight and torque-to-weight ratios - something vividly demonstrated whenever the throttle is squeezed. Detailed tuning of the induction, exhaust and engine management systems has given the Vantage a truly intoxicating character and soundtrack.

The Vantage deploys its impressive power and torque to the rear wheels via a rear-mounted ZF eight-speed automatic transmission. Capable of accelerating from 0 to 60mph in 3.6 seconds and on to a maximum speed of 195mph, it employs a sophisticated suite of integrated electronic systems to offer maximum control and driver enjoyment. These 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 behavior, 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 per cent of the structure’s components are new for Vantage. Balance, strength, rigidity and weight efficiency were all priorities in the new Vantage design, as was handling purity and consistency. 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 new Vantage and the latest generation Adaptive Damping System which incorporates Skyhook technology and offers the choice of Sport, Sport Plus and Track modes.

Thanks to full integration of engine, transmission, E-Diff, Dynamic Torque Vectoring, Dynamic Stability Control, Adaptive Damping and the electric power steering systems, each mode optimises every area of the car as one. With each step the Vantage gains in agility and responsiveness, its character becoming progressively sharper, more vocal and more exciting. This is the essence of the Vantage driving experience - a car that’s never less than connected and engaging with the breadth of capability to revel in challenging roads and bare its teeth on track.

The Vantage features a high level of standard equipment, including keyless start/stop, tyre pressure monitoring system and Parking Distance Display, Park Assist and front and rear parking sensors. The In-Car Entertainment system - controlled and viewed via a centrally mounted 8” LCD screen - comprises of the Aston Martin Audio System, Bluetooth® audio and phone streaming, iPod®, iPhone® and USB playback. There is also an integrated satellite navigation system and wi- fi hub.

Being an Aston Martin, the new Vantage also features a high level of craftsmanship, evidenced by flawless paintwork, luxurious Alcantara® and leather upholstery and a fabulous level of finish using tactile natural materials of the highest quality. There is also extensive scope for personalisation via a generous choice of options. These 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.

Aston Martin President Chief Executive Officer, Dr Andy Palmer said: “It speaks volumes for the outgoing Vantage that it is the single most successful model in Aston Martin’s history. Creating a worthy successor has been a challenge to relish and a huge source of motivation. I’m enormously excited by what we’ve created: a new Vantage that’s more explicit in looks and intent, wrapping heart-pounding performance and dazzling dynamics into an everyday usable package. A true sports car with a sharper look and a keener dynamic edge, the new Vantage is the Aston Martin pure driving machine enthusiasts have been waiting for.”

The new Vantage is on sale now with a recommended retail price from $149,995 in the USA. Deliveries are scheduled to begin during the second quarter of 2018.