V8 Vantage

At the V8 Vantage is the final version of the Aston Martin AMV8 showed that in January 2003. The appearance and technical characteristics practically coincide with those announced at the time.

It is the third model of the brand (with the DB7 and Vanquish) and lower in size, performance and price. According to Aston Martin, will also be the largest in the 89-year history of the brand, which means that they expect to be the most sold.

It is a central front-engine two-seater. Aston Martin says that, although it features classic, 'is not a pastiche of earlier designs. Henrik Fisker has designed, which has replaced Ian Callum.

It measures 4382 mm long, 1866 wide and 1255 high. Ie, is smaller than a Ferrari 430 (4,512 mm) and a Porsche 911 (4,430 mm). Weighs less than 1570 kg (not yet given the exact figure), the other two models are listed below 1500 kg.

The V8 engine is a brand new, so far, has no other model of the Ford group. It's made of aluminum is 4.3 liters of displacement, it is atmospheric, and the distribution is double camshaft in the cylinder head (variable in the admission) and four valves per cylinder.

Gives maximum power of 385 hp at a high speed: 7300 rpm. The maximum torque is 410 Nm, and gives it to 5,000 rpm.

The engine is placed behind the front axle, the change is ahead of the rear axle. There is a union between two rigid (aluminum tube), which houses the shaft (carbon fiber). This provision gives mechanical at times the name "transaxle" (more information). The distribution of mass on each axle, unladen, is 49/51 percent.

It has dry sump, which prevents lubrication problems when there is a strong lateral acceleration, and to place the engine lower than if the casing is wet.

At the launch, the gearbox is six-speed manual. Later there will be at least an automatic box. It has stability control, among other electronic security devices.

The frame is aluminum and composite parts. Takes some of the Vanquish production techniques that are very innovative, as the union of parts with a mixed system of riveting and bonding. On the chassis is cast, extruded and pressed.

The body has some aluminum panels, some magnesium (the inside of the doors), other of steel (the largest, the rear fins) and other composite materials (front fins).

With the AMV8, Aston Martin used the name 'Vantage' applied to a model, so far 'Vantage' is applied to versions of existing models.

The V8 Vantage is manufactured at a new plant at Gaydon (United Kingdom), except the engines that also come from a new plant in Cologne (Germany).