RE: Race-inspired Aston Martins
Tuesday 28th August 2007
Car manufacturers are yet again protecting our health, worried that the revelation of a new car that hasn’t been leaked before the Frankfurt Motor Show will send us into a mild heart attack at the shock.
Race-inspired Aston Martins
Two more Astons to be launched in Frankfurt
Today’s turn is Aston Martin who have leaked the launch of two new race-inspired cars alongside the recently unveiled DBS at next months show.
To keep just a little palpitation for the show the exact details of these cars are still secret, though the cars are likely to be road going versions of the DBRS9 and the Vantage N24 (without the need for Single Vehicle Approval). David Richards is directly positioning these models to take on the Porsche 911 GT3 and the Ferrari F430 Scuderia, which may be a very clever move.
If one of these is the facelifted V8 Vantage we spotted last week, then we will be booking in for a heart bypass for the launch.
Discussion
Well.. I would hope they position the V8 Vantage RS (or whatever the call it) against the 430S and GT3.
But they better hit closer to the mark than they did with the original Vantage. To really be compared with the 430S we are talking about 500bhp, a massive weight reduction, and significant improvement in driving dynamics.
I have my fingers crossed because I am #1 at my local dealer.
But they better hit closer to the mark than they did with the original Vantage. To really be compared with the 430S we are talking about 500bhp, a massive weight reduction, and significant improvement in driving dynamics.
I have my fingers crossed because I am #1 at my local dealer.
ThePusher said:
Well.. I would hope they position the V8 Vantage RS (or whatever the call it) against the 430S and GT3.
But they better hit closer to the mark than they did with the original Vantage. To really be compared with the 430S we are talking about 500bhp, a massive weight reduction, and significant improvement in driving dynamics.
I have my fingers crossed because I am #1 at my local dealer.
The driving dynamics of the standard car are fine IMO. As long as you regard it as a decently rapid road car rather than a rival in performance terms to a 430, Gallardo etc. It's not either of those and was not intended to compete in that segment.But they better hit closer to the mark than they did with the original Vantage. To really be compared with the 430S we are talking about 500bhp, a massive weight reduction, and significant improvement in driving dynamics.
I have my fingers crossed because I am #1 at my local dealer.
Allegedly the "RS" car will drop 150kg and gain 40bhp. Not enough to put it even close to the 430S or Gallardo SL etc. And whilst I don't believe that's their aim either, I think they're making a mistake on that one (though don't forget that the Ferrari and Lambo are 170k motor cars).
I'm obviously biased, but the V8 Vantage is a great little car.
I agree but like I said on another forum we are blurring the lines between two different cars...
I love my Vantage and it is a great car. And there are things I think they could improve to make it a better Sports GT car.
But if they are going to come out with a race-inspired, harder edged variant it better be just that... much more power, better dynamics, a lot less weight etc.
If I want a Sports GT for the road and everyday use I'll keep my standard Vantage. If I want a more extreme experience that can be a track day car as well, I'll buy the Vantage RS.
What I don't want is a slightly warmed over Vantage with an RS badge that really does not live up to the billing. They risk the two cars being too close to each other and not distinguishable in any meaningful way...
Let me put it in Porsche terms... don't give me a 911S (which is a slightly different version from the base 911)... give me a 911 GT3 (a more extreme variant with its own characteristics and persona that separates it enough from the base model). Otherwise don't bother...
I love my Vantage and it is a great car. And there are things I think they could improve to make it a better Sports GT car.
But if they are going to come out with a race-inspired, harder edged variant it better be just that... much more power, better dynamics, a lot less weight etc.
If I want a Sports GT for the road and everyday use I'll keep my standard Vantage. If I want a more extreme experience that can be a track day car as well, I'll buy the Vantage RS.
What I don't want is a slightly warmed over Vantage with an RS badge that really does not live up to the billing. They risk the two cars being too close to each other and not distinguishable in any meaningful way...
Let me put it in Porsche terms... don't give me a 911S (which is a slightly different version from the base 911)... give me a 911 GT3 (a more extreme variant with its own characteristics and persona that separates it enough from the base model). Otherwise don't bother...
ThePusher said:
...Let me put it in Porsche terms... don't give me a 911S (which is a slightly different version from the base 911)... give me a 911 GT3 (a more extreme variant with its own characteristics and persona that separates it enough from the base model). Otherwise don't bother...
But don't the TT and GT3 coexist very nicely? Similar money, similar "magazine" paper performance, different execution...?
I agree with you in terms of what they could/should do (475bhp min - proper to, not the 380bhp=350bhp stuff, 200kg off). Can't see the RS being it though. They seem to want the DB9 version to take on that territory.
Well the 911TT is another beast altogether. A soft car with huge horsepower to be fast in a straight line. Not track focused etc.
When I think of an RS version I hope it is the GT3 like variant. Light, naturally aspirated, track ready - but still have enough civility that it could be used on the road.
When I think of an RS version I hope it is the GT3 like variant. Light, naturally aspirated, track ready - but still have enough civility that it could be used on the road.
Murph7355 said:
ThePusher said:
Well.. I would hope they position the V8 Vantage RS (or whatever the call it) against the 430S and GT3.
But they better hit closer to the mark than they did with the original Vantage. To really be compared with the 430S we are talking about 500bhp, a massive weight reduction, and significant improvement in driving dynamics.
I have my fingers crossed because I am #1 at my local dealer.
The driving dynamics of the standard car are fine IMO. As long as you regard it as a decently rapid road car rather than a rival in performance terms to a 430, Gallardo etc. It's not either of those and was not intended to compete in that segment.But they better hit closer to the mark than they did with the original Vantage. To really be compared with the 430S we are talking about 500bhp, a massive weight reduction, and significant improvement in driving dynamics.
I have my fingers crossed because I am #1 at my local dealer.
Allegedly the "RS" car will drop 150kg and gain 40bhp. Not enough to put it even close to the 430S or Gallardo SL etc. And whilst I don't believe that's their aim either, I think they're making a mistake on that one (though don't forget that the Ferrari and Lambo are 170k motor cars).
I'm obviously biased, but the V8 Vantage is a great little car.
)Standard car is just fine, perfect for what it was designed to do. In no way is it similar to to the 430, 360, 360 CS or Gallardo. Possibly closer match would be the 550.. it's more a GT car .
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