Overview of Aston Martin V8 Vantage

Aston Martin V8 Vantage
Manufacturer	Aston Martin Lagonda Limited
Production	2005–present
Class	Grand tourer
Body style(s)	2-door coupé 2-door roadster
Layout	FR layout
Platform	VH Platform
Engine(s)	4.3 L AJ V8
Transmission(s)	6-speed Manual 6-speed Sportshift
Wheelbase	2600 mm (102.5 in)
Length	4380 mm (172.5 in)
Width	1865 mm (73.5 in)
Height	1255 mm (49.5 in)
Curb weight	1630 kg (3595 lb)
Related	Aston Martin DB9
Designer	Henrik Fisker

The Aston Martin V8 Vantage is a hand built sports car from the British manufacturer Aston Martin. Aston Martin has previously used the "Vantage" name on high performance variants of their existing GT models, notably on the Virage-based supercar of the 1990s. The modern car, in contrast, is the leanest and most agile car in Aston's three-model lineup. As such, it is intended as a more accessible model to compete with cars such as the Porsche 911.

Following the unveiling of the AMV8 Vantage concept car in 2003, the production V8 Vantage was introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in 2005 for the 2006 model year. The two seat, two -door coupé has a bonded aluminium structure for strength and lightness. The 172.5 inch (4.38 m) long coupé features a hatchback-style tailgate for practicality, with a large luggage shelf behind the seats. In addition to the coupé, a convertible is available known as the V8 Vantage Roadster.

The V8 Vantage is powered by a 4.3 L (4300 cc) quad-cam 32-valve V8 which produces 380 hp (283 kW) at 7,000 rpm and 302 ft·lbf (410 Nm) at 5,000 rpm. Though based loosely on Jaguar's AJ-V8 engine architecture, this engine is unique to Aston Martin and features race-style dry-sump lubrication, which enables it to be mounted low in the chassis for an improved center of gravity. The cylinder block and heads, crankshaft, connecting rods, pistons, camshafts, inlet and exhaust manifolds, lubrication system, and engine management are all Aston Martin designs and the V8 engine is assembled by hand at the AM facility in Cologne, Germany, which also builds the V12 engine for the DB9 and Vanquish.

The engine is front mid-mounted with a rear-mounted transaxle, giving a 49/51 front/rear weight distribution. The V8 Vantage can accelerate to 60 mph (97 km/h) in a manufacturer claimed 4.8 seconds (62 mph (100 km/h), 4.9sec) and reach a 175 mph (280 km/h) top speed. Slotted Brembo brakes are also standard.

The V8 Vantage retails for £79,000, US$110,000, or €104,000, Aston Martin plans to build up to 3,000 per year. Included is a six-speed manual transmission and leather-upholstery for the seats, dash, steering-wheel, and shift-knob. A six-speed sequential manual transmission, similar to those produced by Ferrari and Lamborghini, called Sportshift is available as an option. Also available are a two-tone full-leather interior, heated front seats, navigation, rear parking sensors, and xenon headlights.

In their 2006 readership survey, readers of Car Design News voted the Aston Martin V8 Vantage as the best current production car design. The survey results were based on over 1000 responses, most from working automotive designers and students of industrial and automotive design. The vantage was also voted one of Automobile magazine's 2007 "All Stars" for its performance, road manners, and design. The V8 Vantage is also one of the only two cars to be added to "the fridge" – reserved for the super-"cool" – on the BBC's Top Gear (on which it is described as the baby Aston to differentiate it from the V12 powered DB9). The program rates cars from seriously un-cool to sub-zero. The fridge was an extra category added when the presenters deemed the Aston Martin DB9 too cool for the sub-zero category. In the 2005 awards, Jeremy Clarkson declared the V8 Vantage as the coolest car of the year, while the award winner was actually the Porsche 911.