Vanquish Vantage
Discussion
Just been reading the new V8 Vantage concept story in this month's Top Gear mag again. They mention that as well as a new DB7, there's also a Vanquish Vantage on the way.
Does anyone know more about this? Scheduled release/spec etc? I'm guessing as they had a few problems with the heat dissipation under the bonnet of the current Vanquish, a modded (turbo/supercharged) version is going to give them even more headaches.
I always thought that with "only" 460bhp, the Vanquish is a little underpowered, so it'll be interesting to see what pans out.
Does anyone know more about this? Scheduled release/spec etc? I'm guessing as they had a few problems with the heat dissipation under the bonnet of the current Vanquish, a modded (turbo/supercharged) version is going to give them even more headaches.
I always thought that with "only" 460bhp, the Vanquish is a little underpowered, so it'll be interesting to see what pans out.
Just been reading the new V8 Vantage concept story in this month's Top Gear mag again. They mention that as well as a new DB7, there's also a Vanquish Vantage on the way.
Does anyone know more about this? Scheduled release/spec etc? I'm guessing as they had a few problems with the heat dissipation under the bonnet of the current Vanquish, a modded (turbo/supercharged) version is going to give them even more headaches.
I always thought that with "only" 460bhp, the Vanquish is a little underpowered, so it'll be interesting to see what pans out.
I assume by your name you want two turbo's!!!
When they launched the V12 (which is also used in the DB7 Vantage in a 420bhp form) they said that the engine can easily go upto over 500 bhp on its own, by changing the engine mapping, etc etc.
Thus they cna have as many "stages" as they like. I would imagine they would keep upping the power slightly every few years to maintain the interest.
But the Vantage has traditionally meant a lot more power, so I would imagine that, yes two superchargers would be very nice.
And two turbo's.
Another way would be to make a lightweight Vanquish- its really quite a heavy car, and it would be nice to do a stripped out "clubsport" version.
(Mind you, in the early 90's Victor Gauntlet said that people want an Aston with all the luxury as well as the power).
Yes, it (or Vanquish GT) needs about 600bhp. A faster steering rack (about 25% faster) is on the cards, as is firmer brakes. Also getting rid of all the fancy auto-changing nonsense on the gearbox. Add in a roll cage, proper seats and 4 point harnesses, and you would have something really spectacular
As previously stated the Vantage historically has always had a significant power advantage over the standard model. In the current hyperperformance car market I find it inconceivable that the new vehicle have less than 690bhp (ie 50% higher than the standard car.
This is not an unreasonable power hike considering the Vantage version of the 90's V8's had 550 or 600 bhp when the standard vehicle had a "mere" 330bhp.
If it does not have more than 690bhp it should not be allowed to diminish the name "Vantage" in motoring Legend.
As for gearboxes I'm with Mr Honeyball, bollox to that F1 rubbish, we want a manual box with an F1 option for Americans who can't drive properly or do all their driving in town (town driving? what a bloody waste)
DAZ
(Any lentil munching sandalistas out there? put that in your pipe and smoke it.)
Mr Honeyball, I don't suppose you could consider joining a lot of PHers at the forthcoming meet at Virginia Waters (sunday 2nd feb). I think I speak for many when I say we'd all love to see the Aston.
This is not an unreasonable power hike considering the Vantage version of the 90's V8's had 550 or 600 bhp when the standard vehicle had a "mere" 330bhp.
If it does not have more than 690bhp it should not be allowed to diminish the name "Vantage" in motoring Legend.
As for gearboxes I'm with Mr Honeyball, bollox to that F1 rubbish, we want a manual box with an F1 option for Americans who can't drive properly or do all their driving in town (town driving? what a bloody waste)
DAZ
(Any lentil munching sandalistas out there? put that in your pipe and smoke it.)
Mr Honeyball, I don't suppose you could consider joining a lot of PHers at the forthcoming meet at Virginia Waters (sunday 2nd feb). I think I speak for many when I say we'd all love to see the Aston.
dazren said:
Mr Honeyball, I don't suppose you could consider joining a lot of PHers at the forthcoming meet at Virginia Waters (sunday 2nd feb). I think I speak for many when I say we'd all love to see the Aston.
Hi daz (jon's the name, please)
I'll try to get there -- the vantage is in for the fixing of a windscreen leak and to have the walnut panel on the drivers door relacquered. If its back by then, and work permits, I'll be there
jon
Ahh...the Vanquish Vantage...well..I took a summer internship at Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, Michigan two years ago and was placed in the advanced powertrain engineering department. The floor below me was a garage, most of which was devoted to the Aston Martin 5.9L V12 engine. I was also privied to the dynamometer results taken directly from the crankshaft. Contrary to the figures taht Aston released to teh public, the engine (at breakin) is generally putting out something in excess of 490bhp, but through drivetrain losses, only 460 is available at the wheels. There was talk of a Vantage version of the Vanquish even at that point. The original plans were to have a supercharged version of the engine putting out something nearing 700bhp...imagine how fast that would go! Unfortunately within the 5 months I worked there, the plan was scrapped for financial reasons and the idea that the Vanquish was already fast enough as it was. However, now that there's a newcomer...the AMV8, and Ferrari have upped the ante a bit with the 575M and the DB8 is scheduled to have a 440bhp version of the V12 in the Vanquish, it may be time to increase the output of the most glorious engine in production. Here's to the Vanquish Vantage!
FR200 said: .....There was talk of a Vantage version of the Vanquish even at that point. The original plans were to have a supercharged version of the engine putting out something nearing 700bhp...imagine how fast that would go! Unfortunately within the 5 months I worked there, the plan was scrapped for financial reasons and the idea that the Vanquish was already fast enough as it was.....
Hmmm. It would appear the Bigwigs at Aston Martin and myself started off on the same track. 
They however seem to have lost the plot. 
It's up to you customers out there to put the management straight on the power issue. Bollox to the financial constraints we want to see the new Vantage have 700 bhp. Aston Martin should subsidise the car if necessary in the same way as Porsche did the 959 back in the late eighties. 
POWER TO THE PEOPLE!!!!! DAZ
dazren said:
FR200 said:
Aston Martin should subsidise the car if necessary in the same way as Porsche did the 959 back in the late eighties.
Isn't this exactly what Aston's been doing for most of its history?
Anyway, if parent company Ford happens to have a big sock filled with dollar bills lying around, then by all means: spend it on Aston!
MDG.
Gassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff