RE: Prodrive plots AMV8 upgrades
Thursday 19th October 2006
Prodrive plots AMV8 upgrades
400-plus bhp is planned, our spies report
|
 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Prodrive's plansProdrive is well known for engineering excellence. It's earned the company a racing pedigree, particularly through its success with the Subaru World Rally Team. In addition to its many other racing and road car development packages -- including Formula 1 in the past and again in 2008 -- Prodrive is working very closely with Aston Martin on its fleet of racing cars. This gives Prodrive a unique insight into what works best by way of engine chassis and aerodynamic modifications to improve the performance of the Aston range. Feedback from owners was generally positive, the power upgrades and aero-dynamic conversions generating a lot of interest. |
PistonHeads' spy reporter has uncovered Prodrive plotting performance upgrades for the Aston Martin V8 Vantage.
Using its knowledge of Aston's racing cars (see sidebar, right), Prodrive is shortly to launch a range of performance upgrades for the AMV8, ranging from spoilers to power upgrades.
As the range has yet to be fully signed off, we cannot bring you full details, but we do know that this includes a power-upgrade to more than 400bhp -- up from the standard car's 380bhp -- plus a useful increase in engine torque, complete with a more free-revving nature and a throaty exhaust note.
Modifications should also include free flow cats and a re-programmed ECU.
Aero changes
Aerodynamic changes are limited to a small front lip and rear spoiler/diffuser that Prodrive reckons dramatically reduce front and rear end lift, to the benefit of the car's handling.
Prodrive will also be offering a suspension package that includes switchable electronic dampers. There will also be some stylistic options, including carbon fibre touches and new wheels with larger tyres fitted.
Any good?
The final judgement will come down to pricing, real world performance and the type of warranty offered with the conversions but, on the face of it, Prodrive’s engineering excellence appears to have been put to good use.
Discussion
From 380bhp - 400bhp...That's a bit poor. Surely they can do much better than that and how much is the upgrade going to cost for such a modest hike??
It's a big V8 for christs sake, you can get 400bhp out of a 2-litre these days. C'mon Prodrive, you can do lots better than that!!!
BEHAVE!!!
It's a big V8 for christs sake, you can get 400bhp out of a 2-litre these days. C'mon Prodrive, you can do lots better than that!!!
BEHAVE!!!
Podie said:
scoobiewrx said:
From 380bhp - 400bhp...That's a bit poor.
article said:
...more than 400bhp
I don't think they actually mean more than 400bhp, it says "to more than 400bhp" which to me says just 400bhp. The way they write it makes it sound greater than, but i don't really think it is, although i could be completely wrong, and if i am then i apologise.
But it's still not a lot of bhp these days is it.
Edited by scoobiewrx on Thursday 19th October 14:13
scoobiewrx said:
I don't think they actually mean more than 400bhp, it says "to more than 400bhp" which to me says just 400bhp. The way they write it makes it sound greater than, but i don't really think it is, although i could be completely wrong, and if i am then i apologise.
From what I hear it is likely to be nearer to 420 bhp, I for one think this is great news, the AMV8 is a fabulous car as is, but an extra 40-ish horses, more torque & a quicker-revving engine can only enhance an already great car!
hmmn,
its only a 4.3L V8, so 380bhp is extremely impressive already, 90bhp/l is hard work from an emmisions compliant driveable motor. If you look at the tech specs of the motor in the V8 youo will see it wasnt easy, and your asking to get near 100bhp/l, which takes serious engineering, not just some decats and big exhaust
I can only think of 3/4 decent big V8's that make more than that, RS4, TVR etc even BMW are struggling with the new M3 V8.
what you need is more CC or a FI if ya want more power
its only a 4.3L V8, so 380bhp is extremely impressive already, 90bhp/l is hard work from an emmisions compliant driveable motor. If you look at the tech specs of the motor in the V8 youo will see it wasnt easy, and your asking to get near 100bhp/l, which takes serious engineering, not just some decats and big exhaust
I can only think of 3/4 decent big V8's that make more than that, RS4, TVR etc even BMW are struggling with the new M3 V8. what you need is more CC or a FI if ya want more power
Me also think that is good news, and my wild guess its that they will offer some "cheap" chiptuning at around 400bhp...so its from 400 upwards to?? 480bhp at least with a SC, and between that some other tuning stage's like exhaust/cats/manifold/cams/airbox? stuf like that...and then finally the SC on top of that...to keep it a bit reliable.
GTRene
What about that raw/nice? P2 car...
GTRene
What about that raw/nice? P2 car...
Edited by GTRene on Thursday 19th October 14:55
Er, there's a bit of to and fro-ing here about the headline 400bhp+ figure, but thats just the max power figure. If there's a healthy increase in torque and bhp across the midrange then I do think you'll feel the difference.
And don't forget, these upgrades need to have proven reliability - after all you don't want to trash your 90k motor. This is a different story to the 400bhp from mitsubishi's forced induction, which lets not forget requires an expensive service every 4.5k miles (IIRC).
So basically I think this is great news and I'm a bit surprised at some of the (albeit mild) poo-pooing.
Mark
And don't forget, these upgrades need to have proven reliability - after all you don't want to trash your 90k motor. This is a different story to the 400bhp from mitsubishi's forced induction, which lets not forget requires an expensive service every 4.5k miles (IIRC).
So basically I think this is great news and I'm a bit surprised at some of the (albeit mild) poo-pooing.
Mark
Aston pretty much squeezed what they could out of the engine for the standard car, I would imagine that's why Prodrive are unable to get much more.
Anyway, it's all going to be superceded by the more powerful AMV8 that Aston themselves are going to release.
The big question is......
Are you prepared to give up your Aston warranty for an extra 20+bhp ??
Anyway, it's all going to be superceded by the more powerful AMV8 that Aston themselves are going to release.
The big question is......
Are you prepared to give up your Aston warranty for an extra 20+bhp ??
eddy_hyde said:
hmmn,
its only a 4.3L V8, so 380bhp is extremely impressive already, 90bhp/l is hard work from an emmisions compliant driveable motor. If you look at the tech specs of the motor in the V8 youo will see it wasnt easy, and your asking to get near 100bhp/l, which takes serious engineering, not just some decats and big exhaust I can only think of 3/4 decent big V8's that make more than that, RS4, TVR etc even BMW are struggling with the new M3 V8.
what you need is more CC or a FI if ya want more power
its only a 4.3L V8, so 380bhp is extremely impressive already, 90bhp/l is hard work from an emmisions compliant driveable motor. If you look at the tech specs of the motor in the V8 youo will see it wasnt easy, and your asking to get near 100bhp/l, which takes serious engineering, not just some decats and big exhaust
I can only think of 3/4 decent big V8's that make more than that, RS4, TVR etc even BMW are struggling with the new M3 V8. what you need is more CC or a FI if ya want more power
My scoobie is 220bhp std and 2litre, and as reliable as night coming after day. I thought 100bhp per litre was pretty common these days.
TallMark said:
Er, there's a bit of to and fro-ing here about the headline 400bhp+ figure, but thats just the max power figure. If there's a healthy increase in torque and bhp across the midrange then I do think you'll feel the difference.
And don't forget, these upgrades need to have proven reliability - after all you don't want to trash your 90k motor. This is a different story to the 400bhp from mitsubishi's forced induction, which lets not forget requires an expensive service every 4.5k miles (IIRC).
So basically I think this is great news and I'm a bit surprised at some of the (albeit mild) poo-pooing.
Mark
And don't forget, these upgrades need to have proven reliability - after all you don't want to trash your 90k motor. This is a different story to the 400bhp from mitsubishi's forced induction, which lets not forget requires an expensive service every 4.5k miles (IIRC).
So basically I think this is great news and I'm a bit surprised at some of the (albeit mild) poo-pooing.
Mark
I wasn't poo-pooing the car, i think it's a brilliant motor car, i just thought Prodrive could do a lot better than c.20bhp+ in a car like that and still keep it reliable.
scoobiewrx said:
eddy_hyde said:
hmmn,
its only a 4.3L V8, so 380bhp is extremely impressive already, 90bhp/l is hard work from an emmisions compliant driveable motor. If you look at the tech specs of the motor in the V8 youo will see it wasnt easy, and your asking to get near 100bhp/l, which takes serious engineering, not just some decats and big exhaust I can only think of 3/4 decent big V8's that make more than that, RS4, TVR etc even BMW are struggling with the new M3 V8.
what you need is more CC or a FI if ya want more power
its only a 4.3L V8, so 380bhp is extremely impressive already, 90bhp/l is hard work from an emmisions compliant driveable motor. If you look at the tech specs of the motor in the V8 youo will see it wasnt easy, and your asking to get near 100bhp/l, which takes serious engineering, not just some decats and big exhaust
I can only think of 3/4 decent big V8's that make more than that, RS4, TVR etc even BMW are struggling with the new M3 V8. what you need is more CC or a FI if ya want more power
My scoobie is 220bhp std and 2litre, and as reliable as night coming after day. I thought 100bhp per litre was pretty common these days.
They are not directly comparable though as the scoobie engine is turbo where as the AM engine is N/A. 100bhp/l is about the limit for a N/A motor as has already been said, although this cars like the S2000 achieve more than this circa 120bhp/l but using lots of trick bits. Where as for a turbo car the limit for a production car is roughly 150bhp/l although there are a few cars around with more than this several evo's for example.
Edited to add...
That i love the AMV8, great looking and sounding car, although a little out of my league currently, and the possibility of Prodrive tuning goodies only makes it more appealing.
Edited by AmenToThat on Thursday 19th October 15:28
scoobiewrx said:
Podie said:
scoobiewrx said:
From 380bhp - 400bhp...That's a bit poor.
article said:
...more than 400bhp
I don't think they actually mean more than 400bhp, it says "to more than 400bhp" which to me says just 400bhp. The way they write it makes it sound greater than, but i don't really think it is, although i could be completely wrong, and if i am then i apologise.
But it's still not a lot of bhp these days is it.
Edited by scoobiewrx on Thursday 19th October 14:13
Scoobie - sorry, wasn't being arsey, so you've certainly got nowt to apologise for in my book.
Agree 400bhp may not seem a lot for this sort of car, but hey...
:J: said:
Aston pretty much squeezed what they could out of the engine for the standard car, I would imagine that's why Prodrive are unable to get much more.
Anyway, it's all going to be superceded by the more powerful AMV8 that Aston themselves are going to release.
The big question is......
Are you prepared to give up your Aston warranty for an extra 20+bhp ??
Anyway, it's all going to be superceded by the more powerful AMV8 that Aston themselves are going to release.
The big question is......
Are you prepared to give up your Aston warranty for an extra 20+bhp ??
Yes but when Aston eventually bring their model out (no time soon!!) there is still the question of all the cars already out there!
I agree about the warranty though, apparently Prodrive are going to provide their own!
I thought the initial manufacture gets the car emmissions compliant, then when the car has been certified for road use (or whatever they call it) then you can take the car to be 'after-market' tuned and supe it up a bit more which wouldn't be approved.
I think Lotus Performance did it with the Sport 160 and the like. If it had been an initial build it would have failed but take it straight from the production line after manufacture and you can modify it further.
I think thats how it works.
oh, and Hi ScoobyWRX
I think Lotus Performance did it with the Sport 160 and the like. If it had been an initial build it would have failed but take it straight from the production line after manufacture and you can modify it further.
I think thats how it works.
oh, and Hi ScoobyWRX
eddy_hyde said:
hmmn,
its only a 4.3L V8, so 380bhp is extremely impressive already, 90bhp/l is hard work from an emmisions compliant driveable motor. If you look at the tech specs of the motor in the V8 youo will see it wasnt easy, and your asking to get near 100bhp/l, which takes serious engineering, not just some decats and big exhaust I can only think of 3/4 decent big V8's that make more than that, RS4, TVR etc even BMW are struggling with the new M3 V8.
what you need is more CC or a FI if ya want more power
its only a 4.3L V8, so 380bhp is extremely impressive already, 90bhp/l is hard work from an emmisions compliant driveable motor. If you look at the tech specs of the motor in the V8 youo will see it wasnt easy, and your asking to get near 100bhp/l, which takes serious engineering, not just some decats and big exhaust
I can only think of 3/4 decent big V8's that make more than that, RS4, TVR etc even BMW are struggling with the new M3 V8. what you need is more CC or a FI if ya want more power
cross-eyed-twit said:
I thought the initial manufacture gets the car emmissions compliant, then when the car has been certified for road use (or whatever they call it) then you can take the car to be 'after-market' tuned and supe it up a bit more which wouldn't be approved.
I think Lotus Performance did it with the Sport 160 and the like. If it had been an initial build it would have failed but take it straight from the production line after manufacture and you can modify it further.
I think thats how it works.
oh, and Hi ScoobyWRX
I think Lotus Performance did it with the Sport 160 and the like. If it had been an initial build it would have failed but take it straight from the production line after manufacture and you can modify it further.
I think thats how it works.
oh, and Hi ScoobyWRX
eddy_hyde said:
hmmn,
its only a 4.3L V8, so 380bhp is extremely impressive already, 90bhp/l is hard work from an emmisions compliant driveable motor. If you look at the tech specs of the motor in the V8 youo will see it wasnt easy, and your asking to get near 100bhp/l, which takes serious engineering, not just some decats and big exhaust I can only think of 3/4 decent big V8's that make more than that, RS4, TVR etc even BMW are struggling with the new M3 V8.
what you need is more CC or a FI if ya want more power
its only a 4.3L V8, so 380bhp is extremely impressive already, 90bhp/l is hard work from an emmisions compliant driveable motor. If you look at the tech specs of the motor in the V8 youo will see it wasnt easy, and your asking to get near 100bhp/l, which takes serious engineering, not just some decats and big exhaust
I can only think of 3/4 decent big V8's that make more than that, RS4, TVR etc even BMW are struggling with the new M3 V8. what you need is more CC or a FI if ya want more power
...and Hi to you cross-eyed-twit
That was very civilised...excellent!!!
Podie said:
scoobiewrx said:
Podie said:
scoobiewrx said:
From 380bhp - 400bhp...That's a bit poor.
article said:
...more than 400bhp
I don't think they actually mean more than 400bhp, it says "to more than 400bhp" which to me says just 400bhp. The way they write it makes it sound greater than, but i don't really think it is, although i could be completely wrong, and if i am then i apologise.
But it's still not a lot of bhp these days is it.
Edited by scoobiewrx on Thursday 19th October 14:13
Scoobie - sorry, wasn't being arsey, so you've certainly got nowt to apologise for in my book.
Agree 400bhp may not seem a lot for this sort of car, but hey...
I didn't think you were being arsey Podie, in fact i think you were probably correct in what you said. No sorry's required. Cheers.
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