ASTON MARTIN V8 VANTAGE COUPE/ROADSTER | The Pure 2-Seater Sports Car
ASTON MARTIN V8 VANTAGE COUPE/ROADSTER | ASTON MARTIN V8 VANTAGE COUPE
A Pure Two-Seater Sports Car
The V8 Vantage, affectionately known as the "baby Aston" for its 330mm shorter overall length compared to the DB9, debuted as a coupe at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show. The roadster variant joined the lineup the following year. Both are pure two-seater sports cars, and as their name suggests, a V8 engine is mounted front-midship in the nose.
Its body structure is particularly noteworthy. Like the DB9, it employs the "VH Architecture," an adhesive bonded aluminum spaceframe structure, achieving both lightness and high rigidity. As a commitment to FR sports car design, it adopts a transaxle layout, placing the gearbox directly in front of the rear differential to optimize front-rear weight distribution. Furthermore, the adoption of a dry-sump lubrication system for the engine lowers its mounting position, a detail not to be overlooked. In addition to a 6-speed manual transmission, a 2-pedal system based on the manual, called "Sportshift," is also available.
In 2008, the engine underwent revisions, with displacement increasing from 4.3 liters to 4.7 liters. Consequently, maximum output rose by 11% and maximum torque by 15%.
The cool interior, characteristic of Aston Martin, is another appealing aspect. It's understandable why it has earned high praise as a sports car capable of directly competing with the Porsche 911.
Aston Martin V8 Vantage Coupe
Body | Overall Length 4380 x Width 1865 x Height 1255mm
Engine | 4.7-liter V8
Maximum Output | 313kW [426ps]/7000rpm
Maximum Torque | 470Nm [50.0kgm]/5750rpm
Drivetrain | FR
Transmission | 6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic
Price | ¥15,540,000 (manual), ¥16,096,500 (automatic)
Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster
Body | Overall Length 4380 x Width 1865 x Height 1265mm
Engine | 4.8-liter V8
Maximum Output | 313kW [426ps]/7000rpm
Maximum Torque | 470Nm [50.0kgm]/5750rpm
Drivetrain | FR
Transmission | 6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic
Price | ¥17,010,000 (manual), ¥17,566,500 (automatic)
(As of July 2008)
BRAND HISTORY
Currently, the most talked-about sports car brand worldwide for its sheer coolness is Britain's ASTON MARTIN. Founded in 1914 by Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford, this small company began using the Aston Martin name after achieving success in a hill climb event called Aston Clinton, and has since left a brilliant mark on the history of motorsport and sports cars.
Conversely, the company has faced numerous financial crises, each time receiving a helping hand, charting a truly dramatic course. For instance, David Brown, who became owner in 1947, left his name on the sports car "DB2" and the racing machine "DBR1" by leveraging his excellent management skills and engineering acumen. More recently, Ford's sale of its stake to an investment group led by David Richards, founder of Prodrive, is still fresh in memory.
However, Aston Martin has consistently pursued the creation of sports cars imbued with potent power and beautiful styling throughout every era. The current lineup includes the "V8 Vantage" and "DB9." Furthermore, the "DBS," a new flagship model that will succeed the "Vanquish," is expected to make its debut in Japan in the near future.