V8 N400

[markwm]

Really fancying a vantage but put off by the power of the standard car(I have an RS4 currently).

Anyone know the 0-60 times of the N400? and when is the release date and what is the expected cost?

Finally, are there any other hotter versions of the Vantage planned? or is the n400 it?

[190Evoluzione]

What sort of Aston do you want, exactly?
The N400 is not about BHP figures, at all.
You obviously thought the RS4 was, this being the only possible reason you'd compare a 4-door saloon / 5-door estate to a bloody Aston Martin!
Go and drive a V8 Vantage, properly, and then track down a V600.

You'll probably end up with a Gallardo.

[allthingsaston]

Prodrive offers a performance package for the everyday V8. You might want to check their website. As David Richards is at the helm of both Aston Martin and Prodrive, I imagine that there are similarities between what Aston Martin offers by way of the N400 and what Prodrive offers.

[*CQ*]

AM will more than likely offer an upgrade package for standard v8's after the release of the N400 so I'd personally wait for that.

[awg454]

I have a AMV8 i don't find it performance lacking at all it may not be quite as quick as some of my previous cars,but the overall experience more than makes up for any perceived lack of speed (audi rs4 0-62 4.8s AMV8 0-60 4.9s)!

[bogie]

in the real world its as quick as an RS4...do you need any more than that on the road?

20bhp extra in an N400 wont make bugger all difference so I wouldnt splash out on a new one - if its speed you want there are far quicker cars for the cash...saying that, the Vantage is the slowest car I own, but the one i drive the most (every day)..and the nicest place to be for long touring holidays

[190Evoluzione]

coyft said:

I have both cars. IMO the Aston wins in looks, noise, interior and sense of occasion. The Audi for reliability, ease of driving and getting you from a to b in the fastest, safest way.
The Audi's performance is amazing, I think you will miss the ease at which you can ring it's neck in all conditions.

I really didn't realise those two cars competed.
Anywhere, ever.

[bogie]

they dont - thats why he has both

my ultimate combo would be another Audi RS wagon - I had an RS6 avant before and it was an awesome everyday car

[awg454]

There must be something about aston and audis i have both to, not an rs4 though
got to be sensible somtimes A8 4.2 tdi!!

Edited by awg454 on Tuesday 30th October 08:40

[Kid Charlemagne]

I have had the new RS4 Avant for a while and recently took delivery of an AMV8. The cars compliment each other beautifully. Re power, I went for a hoon with a pal in his rs4 today and, although he's a quicker driver than me, had no trouble keeping up in the AM. In fact I think the AM may have edged it. Both awesome fun though.

[f328nvl]

And I'm on my 4th Audi including both an S4 and RS4 and have had my DB7 for 6 years. Admitedly this one's a diesel, but it's got more torque than my Ferrari 550 had, does 36mpg and it can carry a fridge, in snow.

[Murph7355]

f328nvl said:

.... and it can carry a fridge, in snow.

Keep quiet jg. Aston, Ferrari and the others will be having this as a design criteria if you keep on like that!

[Grant3]

f328nvl said:

Admitedly this one's a diesel, but it's got more torque than my Ferrari 550 had, does 36mpg and it can carry a fridge, in snow.

Sorry the warm fuzzy feeling disappeared the second you used the "D" word, yes I know they are quick & economical with lower C02 these days, but I simply can't get around the fact they don't rev, sound like a bucket of nails (crap in other words) smoke like a smoking thing, the fuel gets in your shoes & ruins them when you fill up & they pump out carcinogenic soot spores! mark my words in a few years time when we move away from the current C02 fixation diesel's will be the next big health scare !

In fact however fast they are......... I HATE DIESELS !

Ok rant over enjoy your diesel love to all men (& women of course)!

[jus]

I recently bought an M6 to be my new daily, and regrettably, driving it does start to highlight some of the areas where the V8V engine is lacking... it really needs around 420hp and then it'll be just perfect, not an unreasonable ask from a 4.3 V8, and they need to raise the rev limit a tad... it's really starting to make power just as you have to change up. I also had the misfortune of being taken for a solid spin in a 997 GT3 and bloody hell does that thing make power... and it's not limp wristed low down either, there's a solid wall of torque and power in a super-smooth curve all the way from low revs to redline! Hugely impressive.

Hopefully we'll get a facelift or something soon inspired by the N400, without the cheesy 'ring stitching and huge price premium!

Edited by jus on Sunday 4th November 08:29

[Grant3]

I did find myself drooling over pictures of the N400 last night whilst the Mrs was unpacking the curry!
Those wheels look stunning & I even like the extra side skirts, as with Jus above... the trouble is having owned a 997GT3 it is just so much better as a drivers car that I just can't make the move back to an Aston....but the N400 is tempting............

I really want to, I really really want an excuse to buy another AMV8 because it's (IMO) the most stunning looking car on the market, & the N400 nearly does it for me. Although it isn't all about power, the sub 9 secs to a ton & high revving GT3 is as fast as you could possibly need & I want to keep that grunt & handling finesse but wrapped up in that stunning Aston body & image!
Maybe the N400's chassis will add to the driving experience, then all we need is a "real" 450 horses & I'm off down my local Aston dealer again!

Edited by Grant3 on Sunday 4th November 10:46

[jus]

For sure! Thus far, I haven't been convinced into swapping my V8V out for a GT3, as I just can't live without the noise and the specialness and just having an Aston Martin, although I could well see myself with both cars perhaps. The thing is there again though, I think I'd rather have an F430 than a GT3.

So, the N400 then. The trouble is, there's a few problems with it. Although I do like the new side skirts and the interior improvements, including much better use of the central armrest, I don't like the 'ring stitching everywhere.

Next, my current AMV8's suspension is already as firm as I can live with, given some of my local roads. The N400 claims to have 45% or whatever stiffer this and firmer that, so I'm immediately concerned as I really don't want anything firmer.

Then, I'm not sure I like the DB9 sportspcak wheels on the AMV8... I think the stock 19 inchers were just so perfectly judged, sufficiently understated but still purposeful and well suited to the car's tailored look. Those wheels belong on a DB9, they don't seem to suit the Vantage's tauter, more compact proportions, they fit better on the lanky GT. Maybe I just need time to get used to them, but I'm awfully fond of the normal ones.

Also, I don't really think the clear lights thing works all that well...



Then of course, the price. Down here a normal Vantage is about R1.6m, and an N400 R1.8m. It's just not the least bit worth it if you ask me, considering I'll probably get R1.4m trade on my current Vantage.

And then, after my chat to Dr. Bez recently, it's pretty clear we can expect to see an improved/facelifted normal Vantage sometime soon, perhaps next year, which will likely have all of the N400 upgrades and more as standard.

So I think for now, the best thing to do will be to wait it out patiently... not that I'm particularly patient when it comes to cars!

Edited by jus on Sunday 4th November 12:21

[jus]

And then of course, there's always the DBS to consider...

[Grant3]

jus said:

For sure! Thus far, I haven't been convinced into swapping my V8V out for a GT3, as I just can't live without the noise and the specialness and just having an Aston Martin, although I could well see myself with both cars perhaps. The thing is there again though, I think I'd rather have an F430 than a GT3.

Jus I can understand fully about the "specialness & just having an Aston Martin" but not sure on the other points, the GT3 sounds absolutely AWESOME & the F430 is £45,000 more for the same performance! I can assure you that the current series GT3 is a must own car, but then again so is the Aston &....I suppose... the 430, all awesome cars & truth be known we are all lucky to have owned any one!
i hope you are right about the new model AMV8, I'll be back with the Aston B4 a Fezza if that proves to be the case!

[Pugsey]

Grant3 said:

I did find myself drooling over pictures of the N400 last night whilst the Mrs was unpacking the curry!
Those wheels look stunning & I even like the extra side skirts, as with Jus above... the trouble is having owned a 997GT3 it is just so much better as a drivers car that I just can't make the move back to an Aston....but the N400 is tempting............

I really want to, I really really want an excuse to buy another AMV8 because it's (IMO) the most stunning looking car on the market, & the N400 nearly does it for me. Although it isn't all about power, the sub 9 secs to a ton & high revving GT3 is as fast as you could possibly need & I want to keep that grunt & handling finesse but wrapped up in that stunning Aston body & image!
Maybe the N400's chassis will add to the driving experience, then all we need is a "real" 450 horses & I'm off down my local Aston dealer again!

Edited by Grant3 on Sunday 4th November 10:46

N0,no,no,no no! At the price this car will be what you want is a nice, very lightly used, F430. When WILL you listen man. ANY warmed over AMV8 (fabulous as it may be) will seem a bit semi skimmed after the Thug I fear.

[Grant3]

Pugsey said:

N0,no,no,no no! At the price this car will be what you want is a nice, very lightly used, F430. When WILL you listen man. ANY warmed over AMV8 (fabulous as it may be) will seem a bit semi skimmed after the Thug I fear.

Pugs, yes very wise words I know, but two problems.....

1/ The Aston's looks & feel-good image are pulling me back, maybe the pipe & slippers are beckoning!!

&

2/ Where is that lightly used nearly new F430 for £90k????