why is the V8 Vantage sooo thirsty?

why is the V8 Vantage sooo thirsty?

Author
Discussion

MBH

Original Poster:

235 posts

285 months

Wednesday 16th November 2005
quotequote all
interesting to see that it is nigh on impossible to get hold of an MPG figure for the V8 Vantage. So lets think about this.. a small, lightweight car, modern 4.3 litre V8. So combined cycle of.. lets see... 25-28? somewhere around the same as the 911?

16.6!!

Now I know this is maybe missing the point etc but that is a truly shocking figure bearing in mind the aforementioned points about weight, size etc. How on earth can it be that uneconomical / inefficient??

pesty

42,655 posts

263 months

Thursday 17th November 2005
quotequote all
who cares. Im lucky to 15Mpg out of 3.6 ltres.

allornothing

90 posts

236 months

Thursday 17th November 2005
quotequote all
I used to get 19 mpg out of my Imprezza in the 90's, and 16 mpg out of my 360 (5 mpg on a track day!!) but I must admit my 996 was very efficient.

However, I tend to agree, while the V8 figure does seem low.....who cares!

It's probably due to driving around in 2nd to hear the noise!

AoN

mjk1

231 posts

233 months

Saturday 3rd December 2005
quotequote all
It's a very good question and something I've been wondering about. It's disappointing to see a combined fuel consumption figure of 16.4 mpg for the V8 (50% higher consumption than the 911S at 24.5 mpg).

I intend using my V8 as an everyday car when I get it in the spring. At that rate it will do just 240 miles on a tank full before the refuel light comes on. In comparison the 911S will do 295 miles.

To answer the previous posts, Who cares? Well I do. The cost is a consideration, just because I can afford a nice car doesn't mean I wish to burn money. Also other aspects are the inconvienience of the frequent fuel stops and in these days of environmental enlightenment I would prefer to run a more envionmentally friendly car.

I think there really is no excuse with today's level of world best technology for not achieving a combined mpg figure in the mid 20's for a car of this size with less than 400 bhp. I would suggest one reason is the relatively high Cd of 0.34 (17% higher than the 911 at 0.29). Another reason is 10% extra weight (1570 kg vs 1420 kg). However these two factors don't account for a 50% increase in fuel consumption. The rest must come from the basic efficiency of the engine and transmission system. This is disappointing and perhaps shows AM's level of technology still has some catching up to do in this area.

Having said all this, it is the only reservation I have about the car. I really look forward to my test drive next weekend and collecting my car in a few more months.

williamp

19,563 posts

280 months

Sunday 4th December 2005
quotequote all
mjk1 said:
It's a very good question and something I've been wondering about. It's disappointing to see a combined fuel consumption figure of 16.4 mpg for the V8 (50% higher consumption than the 911S at 24.5 mpg).

I intend using my V8 as an everyday car when I get it in the spring. At that rate it will do just 240 miles on a tank full before the refuel light comes on. In comparison the 911S will do 295 miles.

To answer the previous posts, Who cares? Well I do. The cost is a consideration, just because I can afford a nice car doesn't mean I wish to burn money. Also other aspects are the inconvienience of the frequent fuel stops and in these days of environmental enlightenment I would prefer to run a more envionmentally friendly car.

I think there really is no excuse with today's level of world best technology for not achieving a combined mpg figure in the mid 20's for a car of this size with less than 400 bhp. I would suggest one reason is the relatively high Cd of 0.34 (17% higher than the 911 at 0.29). Another reason is 10% extra weight (1570 kg vs 1420 kg). However these two factors don't account for a 50% increase in fuel consumption. The rest must come from the basic efficiency of the engine and transmission system. This is disappointing and perhaps shows AM's level of technology still has some catching up to do in this area.

Having said all this, it is the only reservation I have about the car. I really look forward to my test drive next weekend and collecting my car in a few more months.




I think yu've bought into the wrong Marque! Astons have never been about fuel efficiency, and I'm afraid ytou were kidding yourself if you thought they can be run on a budget. If the cost is that important to you then:

-buy a diesel "normal" car for everyday use, and then
-buy an onlder Astopn (80s Vintage V8 vantage). You'll have more money in yuor pocket, and you'll save money because the Vantage will not deprecaite. The modern V8 will.

This is what I have done- an old V8 for special occassions, and a knackered Mondeo for everyday use. I never worry about 12mpg then...

Besides, if you want a car which drinks fuel like a 997S, weighs as much as a 997S, has the CD of a 997S then...

whoami

13,157 posts

247 months

Monday 5th December 2005
quotequote all
mjk1 said:
It's disappointing to see a combined fuel consumption figure of 16.4 mpg for the V8 (50% higher consumption than the 911S at 24.5 mpg).




I drive my 911S every day and get 18MPG so not much different to the AMV8 then.

V8 Kieran

968 posts

260 months

Monday 5th December 2005
quotequote all
Mind you the brochure does prattle on about big tank/efficiency = 350 miles out of a tank.....hmm

jhoneyball

1,773 posts

283 months

Wednesday 7th December 2005
quotequote all
16mpg? Sounds quite reasonable compared to my 80's Proper V8 Vantage.

Podie

46,645 posts

282 months

Wednesday 7th December 2005
quotequote all
MBH said:
interesting to see that it is nigh on impossible to get hold of an MPG figure for the V8 Vantage. So lets think about this.. a small, lightweight car, modern 4.3 litre V8. So combined cycle of.. lets see... 25-28? somewhere around the same as the 911?

16.6!!

Now I know this is maybe missing the point etc but that is a truly shocking figure bearing in mind the aforementioned points about weight, size etc. How on earth can it be that uneconomical / inefficient??


Where are you getting that figure from..?

Podie

46,645 posts

282 months

Wednesday 7th December 2005
quotequote all
jhoneyball said:
...my 80's Proper V8 Vantage.


Seen it once... cracking motor.

MBH

Original Poster:

235 posts

285 months

Wednesday 7th December 2005
quotequote all
that is the official factory figure - they are very reluctant to give it out (doens't appear in any of the blurb or road tests)..

mjk1

231 posts

233 months

Wednesday 7th December 2005
quotequote all
williamp,
I hope you're not right and I've bought into the wrong marque. AM will have failed on their promise if you are. The new Vantage is a departure from previous Astons in that it was designed from the outset to be a practical everyday super car for people such as myself who want an alternative to the 997. I have absolutely no interest in the 997 purely because to my eyes the 911 jelly mould looks have never appealled. No matter how good mechanically a car is, I would never buy a car that offends my eye every time I walk up to it. The Vantage in that regard is absolutely second to none. However I guess no car is perfect and I was just pointing out that I consider the fuel consumption disappointing. To compare it with the old Astons is totally missing the point about AM's rebirth and change of direction. I'm all for it and it's the only way they can prosper long term. As for your suggestion for a rep mobile for the daily commute and an old classic for weekends, well no thanks, I'll take the new Vantage even with the disappointing fuel consumption.

whoami,
If you've got a 997S and get 18mpg out of it, according to the figures if you drove the AMV8 under the same conditions you would get about 13mpg (just above the official urban figures for both cars). Quite a difference I would say for two cars of such similar performance and hence the reason MBH asked the question in the first place.

Does anyone have an informed answer to the original question?

whoami

13,157 posts

247 months

Wednesday 7th December 2005
quotequote all
mjk1 said:
williamp,


whoami,
If you've got a 997S and get 18mpg out of it, according to the figures if you drove the AMV8 under the same conditions you would get about 13mpg (just above the official urban figures for both cars). Quite a difference I would say for two cars of such similar performance and hence the reason MBH asked the question in the first place.

Does anyone have an informed answer to the original question?


I do indeed have a 997S and I do indeed get 18mpg.

Your "logic" makes no sense however.

chrisb8cpd

52 posts

268 months

Friday 9th December 2005
quotequote all
Just to chip in on this one, I get 18.6mpg around town & 21.7 on a run in my Db9.
At least tht'a what the computer tells me, never really cared about economy. Chris D.

jhoneyball

1,773 posts

283 months

Sunday 11th December 2005
quotequote all
where u see it podie?

wrn

432 posts

236 months

Monday 12th December 2005
quotequote all
In the 800 miles since I have had my V8 I have averaged 10.4 MPG. Ouch.

disad-vantage-d

821 posts

227 months

Tuesday 13th December 2005
quotequote all
wrn said:
In the 800 miles since I have had my V8 I have averaged 10.4 MPG. Ouch.


Are you a bit disappointed with this figure? I note that Autocar did what appeared to be a very thorough road test and averaged 17.4 mpg with an urban figure of 11.2 They even claimed a touring figure of 21.9 mpg. Perhaps things will improve when she loosens up a bit!

snowy

541 posts

288 months

Friday 16th December 2005
quotequote all
don't buy Bugatti Veyron then

Desmo

144 posts

227 months

Sunday 18th December 2005
quotequote all
The real reason for the AM V8's consumption is the fact that you can't stop giving some just to hear that V8 music. I'm sure the figures will iprove when they get driven normally
(like it's possible!!)

IAINSMITH

166 posts

271 months

Monday 16th January 2006
quotequote all
Is that right 16.5MPG? I've got a BMW 645, which is a bigger engine and weighs as much as a house, and i get 25 easily, and 28-29 on a run (I admit the 29 is only when driving like a saint!) Thats with the SMG gearbox BTW!

My average after "quick" driving, totalling 14k miles, is about 24.5, thats in town, motorway, the lot, and i don't hang about!

Must admit 16.5MPG seems disappointing!, but i'd have one anyday!!! but i'm not waiting and not paying a premium, so the BMW / TVR will have to do!!