RE: Prodrive boosts AM Vantage V8

RE: Prodrive boosts AM Vantage V8

Friday 1st December 2006

Prodrive boosts AM Vantage V8

Better handling, power, and aero


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Prodrive has launched a range of parts for the Aston Martin V8 Vantage to improve the car’s performance and enhance its driving dynamics.

The range includes:

  • A performance pack for the engine
  • New driver-adjustable suspension
  • Unique forged wheels
  • A discreet aero package.

Prodrive has tuned the 4.3 litre V8 engine to raise peak power from 380bhp to 425bhp, as well as increasing peak torque from 302lb-ft to 325lb-ft. This reduces the car’s 0-62 mph time from 5.0 seconds to an estimated 4.7 seconds and increases the top speed by eight mph to 183 mph. A new throttle map, combined with the increase in torque, also make the engine more responsive throughout the rev range.

Prodrive has worked with suspension specialists, Bilstein and Eibach, to develop new driver-adjustable suspension. A switch in the cockpit allows the driver to choose between normal and sports mode. The normal mode has been designed to enhance the V8 Vantage’s existing ride and handling characteristics, while the firmer sports mode delivers an even more focussed driving experience on the road or for track use.

The engine performance pack has a modified exhaust system with a low back pressure sports catalyst and a driver-controlled switch to manually override the V8 Vantage’s exhaust valve. This gives the option of a quiet mode, where the valve is permanently closed; auto, where the valve operates as it does on the standard car; and sport mode, where the valve is permanently open where conditions allow.

The V8 Vantage’s aerodynamics have been analysed in the wind tunnel to develop an aero package to reduce high speed lift. The result is discreet Prodrive designed and manufactured carbon composite front lip and trunk spoilers, which are in keeping with the Vantage’s classic styling. Together, these reduce lift by 45 per cent, improving both high speed stability and grip.

Prodrive runs the Aston Martin Racing team in partnership with Aston Martin. It has used its experience of designing and developing DB9 and V8 Vantage-based race and rally cars to help create this range of performance enhancements for the road car. It has also carried through the unique design of the wheels used on the Aston Martin DBR9 GT1 racing car to special 14 spoke 19-inch forged wheels made by Prodrive Japan for the V8 Vantage. These come complete with Pirelli P-Zero tyres, which have been selected to match the new suspension and optimise the ride and handling.

“The V8 Vantage is already one of the world’s best sports cars,” said Roland Cherry, Prodrive performance products director. “Our aim was to develop a range of parts which enhanced the car’s performance but, most importantly, did not compromise the inherent Aston Martin driving characteristics or styling. I think we have achieved this with a range of parts owners can specify as a package or individually.”

The range of parts and prices will be available from early 2007.

Author
Discussion

Valentin

Original Poster:

3,281 posts

222 months

Friday 1st December 2006
quotequote all
Well-done Prodrive!!!!!!!
They have exactly done what one would expect Aston Martin to do.
If the buttons fit into the interior properly, and they give you a warranty... more than perfect.

mille

42 posts

216 months

Friday 1st December 2006
quotequote all
Great package ! Only those wheels ... looks like they've been taken from a Ford Focus (only slightly bigger, I admit) Not the nicest wheels for the car, Prodrive could have done better ... Still a great job : improving one of the most beautifull cars on the planet without touching its sleek lines ... WELL DONE

red997

1,304 posts

216 months

Friday 1st December 2006
quotequote all
shame they seem to be copying Porsche with the sport suspension switch & the valve controlled exhast - it does work tho !
Might just have to see if I can find one of these for a play in - Prodrive are 10 mins away from me !

225

1,331 posts

233 months

Friday 1st December 2006
quotequote all
More importantly gives the AMV8 a bit more of the performance its looks deserve. A friend of mine has one and although the looks, noise etc make up for it he said the performance was pretty underwhelming for the cash he paid.

Shadytree

8,291 posts

256 months

Friday 1st December 2006
quotequote all
Roll on January

lifethroughalens

335 posts

248 months

Friday 1st December 2006
quotequote all
This car is still crying out for a light pressure 'charger on it...that chassis can easily handle 500-550HP and torque. Shame this isn't an option with prodrive as it's bound to be better that the factory effort. Needs better front brakes too...they cook real quick under prolonged hard braking. Crackin' car thought, would be nice if it was possible to have two ECU maps and the ability to engage and disengage the supercharger as required...anyone know if this is feasible as a future effort?

Beefmeister

16,482 posts

237 months

Friday 1st December 2006
quotequote all
[boratvoice] I like!!! [/boratvoice]

akers

463 posts

242 months

Friday 1st December 2006
quotequote all
Where do I sign up?
Though to be honest I'm only interested in the engine mods. The ride and handling are fine as they are IMHO.

FestivAli

1,102 posts

245 months

Friday 1st December 2006
quotequote all
Hmmm Prodrive has certainly stepped up of late; there's this, the Mazda Rx-8 they did, numerous race teams and that ridiculous Subaru R2 based toy with the bezerko handling engineering. Most importantly, they all look (and undoubtedly are) professional bits of kit rather than the result of a kid mucking around with turbo timers and used bodykits.

Wheels are crap though.

Ali.

ASBO

26,140 posts

221 months

Friday 1st December 2006
quotequote all
Suddenly the AMV8 seems to be getting a bit serious.

looks tempting (at least it would be if I could afford one) but the wheels are poop.

Big fan of pro-drive (although what they did with the RX8 was far too half-baked) and hope that perhaps they might turn their attentions to other Ford products such as the Focus ST. I'm test driving one tomorrow and would love it if after 6 months of ownership I could give it some extra spice (assuming I buy one of course)

S1XXR

814 posts

237 months

Friday 1st December 2006
quotequote all
Great style. More exclusive than Porsche but with similar dynamics.

The AM V8 is so nearly the car I want...they are 90% of the way there now!

Need to hear tales of trouble free ownership...instead of lots of niggly problems.

Wonder why AM are letting Prodrive market it? I would want these as factory options.


GlynMo

1,140 posts

256 months

Friday 1st December 2006
quotequote all
S1XXR said:

Wonder why AM are letting Prodrive market it? I would want these as factory options.



Cos the factory will be doing their own thing in a year or two (probly).

Mille

42 posts

216 months

Friday 1st December 2006
quotequote all
To sum up things ... 1) AM should have come up with a 'performance pach' themselves ... and 2) the car could do with a diet (1600 kg really is too much) and a bigger engine, indeed something producing in the region of 450 - 500 bhp would suit the car nicely ...
Bye bye P.....e 911

Mille

42 posts

216 months

Friday 1st December 2006
quotequote all
To sum up things ...
1) AM should have come up with a 'performance pach' themselves ... and
2) the car could do with a diet (1600 kg really is too much) and a bigger engine, indeed something producing in the region of 450 - 500 bhp would suit the car nicely ...
Bye bye P.....e 911

petrol_noggin

3,046 posts

227 months

Friday 1st December 2006
quotequote all
Mille said:
To sum up things ...
1) AM should have come up with a 'performance pach' themselves ... and
2) the car could do with a diet (1600 kg really is too much) and a bigger engine, indeed something producing in the region of 450 - 500 bhp would suit the car nicely ...
Bye bye P.....e 911


...But then the DB9 would need more power (which it definately does), then the DBS would need more power and so on.

Maybe next time 'round when a fresh model line up is introduced, I might buy back into AM.

Edited by petrol_noggin on Friday 1st December 20:09

chumley-warner

310 posts

264 months

Saturday 2nd December 2006
quotequote all
I'd be interested in a power upgrade. I don't know how other feel, but I certainly think the standard model feels gutless, the extra midrange torque would be very nice thankyou.

I'm assuming all internals remain the same and are good for another 45bhp and this is just a remap. I guess you get a upgraded exhaust note (read lumpy) for free as a result. I can see all the other options will appeal to those who track the car a lot, but not me - there are much cheaper ways to go a lot faster.

joust

14,622 posts

266 months

Saturday 2nd December 2006
quotequote all
I cancelled my deposit on the AMV8 when I saw how slow it is, but assuming this takes it over £100k all in, is 4.7 seconds 0-60 really acceptable for £100k?

For that sort of money you should be knocking on 4.0 IMHO, but a bit like Porsche, Aston have a problem that they can't make the whipper snapper that much quicker than their flagship model, and that's going to be hard to do because the DB9 is so heavy and hence slow it's hard not to make the differential massive.

As Mr Noggin says, unless they refresh the whole range and raise the bar on all of them it's hard to see me having one permanently in my fleet rather than just having one for the odd weekend.

J

amvntage

17 posts

217 months

Saturday 2nd December 2006
quotequote all
joust said:
I cancelled my deposit on the AMV8 when I saw how slow it is, but assuming this takes it over £100k all in, is 4.7 seconds 0-60 really acceptable for £100k?

For that sort of money you should be knocking on 4.0 IMHO, but a bit like Porsche, Aston have a problem that they can't make the whipper snapper that much quicker than their flagship model, and that's going to be hard to do because the DB9 is so heavy and hence slow it's hard not to make the differential massive.

As Mr Noggin says, unless they refresh the whole range and raise the bar on all of them it's hard to see me having one permanently in my fleet rather than just having one for the odd weekend.

J


Whatever. Go buy a Corvette ZO6, or a Subura WRX and knock yourself out. You have obviously missed the point of owning an Aston Martin.

joust

14,622 posts

266 months

Saturday 2nd December 2006
quotequote all
amvntage said:
You have obviously missed the point of owning an Aston Martin.
Pray tell me, that point is what exactly?

Perhaps you missread my post. I didn't say the slowness of it was the only reason I canned the order, just I cancelled it when I saw how slow it finally was.

J

grant3

3,643 posts

262 months

Saturday 2nd December 2006
quotequote all
joust said:
I cancelled my deposit on the AMV8 when I saw how slow it is,


I came out of a 911 Turbo & have loved the Aston, speed isn't everything!

But in honesty this fixation with one car being 1 second quicker than another to 100 mph, doesn't translate into big differences on the road, the reality is you would need a GT3/Turbo/430/Gallardo to put a decent amount of air between the Aston's front end & their rear bumper then you would need to be doing well over 100 to really pull out an embarrassing gap (& with the exception of the stripped out GT3, they average about £120k, to the Astons £90k with heavy spec)!