High Performance That Surpasses the V12

The Aston Martin V8 Vantage Sfeatures a 436ps V8 engine and a bold exterior with side skirts. Among Aston Martin's lineup, this model offers a stronger sense of driving enjoyment alongside its luxurious appeal.

As the "S" designation suggests, this is a high-performance version of the traditional V8 Vantage. Both models share a front-mounted 4.7-liter V8 engine and use a transaxle that integrates the gearbox and rear differential. However, the V8 Vantage S boasts an increased maximum output of 321kW (436ps) at 7,300rpm, a 7kW (10ps) gain, and a maximum torque of 490Nm (50.0kgm) at 5,000rpm, an increase of 20Nm (2kgm).

A Blue Cocktail Paired with a Lustrous Cobalt Blue Exterior

The Tokyo unveiling took place at "Aquavit," a Scandinavian restaurant in Aoyama. Upon entering, guests were handed a vibrant blue cocktail.

"This is an original cocktail created with our communication color, cobalt blue, as the theme,"

explained Matthew Bennett, Aston Martin's Regional Director for Asia Pacific. The choice of a restaurant as the venue was clearly intentional, a detail that became apparent. Naturally, the actual car displayed beside the restaurant's entrance was painted in the cobalt blue exterior color.

"Initially, I had reservations about holding a new model launch so soon after the disaster, but we felt that collecting donations for disaster-stricken regions at the reception was something Aston Martin could do. We believe in the strength of the Japanese economy and want to seize this opportunity to contribute to the recovery efforts."

Matthew Bennett delivered these remarks to the attendees. Following him, Sue Kinoshita, Counsellor at the British Embassy in Japan and Director of Trade and Investment, stated, "Aston Martin's cooperation is a source of strength for foreigners who love Japan," receiving warm applause from the audience. The event, held in a stylish urban restaurant with sophisticated conversation and fine fashion, was a fittingly elegant occasion for the Aston Martin.

A Model That's Not Overly Spartan, Offering More Driving Enjoyment Than the V8 Vantage

"It summarizes the characteristics of the V8 Vantage while enhancing its handling performance even further," says Dr. Ulrich Bez, who leads Aston Martin.The V8 Vantage S.Positioned between the recently updated V12 Virageand theV8 Vantage, the model is described by the Japanese subsidiary's public relations as "not overly Spartan, but offering more driving enjoyment than the V8 Vantage."

In addition to the increased power over the V8 Vantage, the brakes, coil/damper units have been strengthened, and the steering is quicker. The 2-pedal manual transmission has also been upgraded to a 7-speed unit, which is noteworthy.

"This allows for closer gear ratios in the lower six gears, enabling optimal use of engine power, while the seventh gear acts as a high-speed overdrive, contributing to improved fuel efficiency," explains the Aston Martin Japan subsidiary.

This time, both the Coupe (¥17,535,000) and the Roadster (¥19,005,000) body styles are available simultaneously. While it offers an enjoyable driving experience, its comfortable ride and versatility for various uses make the V8 Vantage S appealing. Its rivals might include models like the Porsche 911 GTS (the V8 Vantage has 436ps, while the GTS has 408ps, and also comes in coupe and convertible variants). In this context, the V8 Vantage S holds significant appeal for its agility, exhilarating performance, and stylish, elegant design.

B&O BeoSound 8 Also on Display

Another item that caught the eye alongside the cars at the launch venue was a display from Bang & Olufsen (B&O), the premium Danish audio manufacturer whose products are featured in Aston Martins.

The company is soon to release the BeoVision 4, a television with a large 3D-compatible monitor screen (in B&O's terminology, a picture engine). Here, they showcased theBeoSound 8, a home sound system designed for use with smart media devices like iPods and iPads (¥105,000). It features a built-in amplifier and can connect to PCs as well as Macs via USB. It also comes with a high-quality disc-shaped remote control, offering a product that promises to enhance quality of life through its excellent design.

A great car enriches life. While enjoyment is subjective, a truly great car offers a wide spectrum of possibilities. Those who can embrace the world offered by Aston Martin, from driving to music, are surely fortunate.