Vantage RS revealed

[10JH]

Whats your thoughts on the Vantage RS, i think it looks fantastic, just not sure about the wheels they showed it with, look similar to Kahn deisgn ones.

http://jalopnik.com/363601/aston-martin-vantage-rs...

Anyone know how much they are likely to cost?

[sparks87]

I love everything about it. I heard you won't get much change out of £200,000, maybe £250,000.

[Murph7355]

Problem I have is that the std car just looks soooo damn good. This is not an improvement and if a 17yr old kid did it to a Saxo we'd laugh at them.

The rear valance is OK I guess, if I'm being charitable (if I'm not, I'd say the std one looks better!).

Don't like running boards even on a 4x4. The front splitter looks daft and hate the bonnet vents (I understand the engine's too tall so has to have a huge bulge, which to me says...fit a different engine).

Inside - when did Aston start using Anne Summers to provide interior parts? I'm not sure changing gear with a Rampant Rabbit Thruster will enhance the driving experience, but what would I know! Not keen on the RX-8/DBS centre console panel. I guess one advantage of grey alcantara all over the place is that you won't notice how badly it's faded in 3yrs' time (there you go, charitable to the end). And it will match the texture of your furry dice (oops, I regress).

Can't imagine the engine will have done much for the handling either.

Personally I'd sooner they'd have spent the time and effort going over the standard car properly than waste it on this. And after a highly positive start in Aston ownership, hoping that their new found freedom would allow them to move the game on so I have a succession of cars to be tempted by, I fear that Aston may be clutching at straws at the moment...hope I'm wrong.

[SXO]

Dear AM Dealer

I've changed my mind. I'll stick with my AMV8 for the time being. Please shred my letter of intent for the RS.

Unless the finished product looks very different to those pictures...

Just shrieks bling with no style to me.

[*CQ*]

Murph7355 said:

(I understand the engine's too tall so has to have a huge bulge, which to me says...fit a different engine).

Don't know where you heard that Murph as the V12 was in it at the time of taking the photo. I attended the launch in December at the Design Studio in Gaydon and if the sound track of that engine is anything like the sound track they played at that event then believe me, you'll want one. I do agree on the interior though and hope that leather is available as an option.

[JohnG1]

Hang on. This Vantage RS has the 4.3 V8 right? Whereas the RS launched at Gaydon had the 6.0 V12 didn't it?

So, £200k for a 50bhp boost to a straight Vantage. I don't think so.

£200k for the 6.0 V12 - maybe.

[Pugsey]

Somethings not right here.

Copy says this car has a 4.3V8 with power hike from 380 to 420bhp. Hardly a big deal (pointless in fact) given that the revised STANDARD car launching this Autumn will have a 4.7 motor with approx. 430bhp. Further, at the Design Centre launch, this car had a V12 in it. Mind you a very reliable source - the same one who told me about the 4.7 engine way back last summer - says that AM can't make the V12 work in the car, not least due to cooling problems, and if they ever produce the RS (doubtful) it will have some form of V8. Confused? AM are.

[sadlerj]

I would say the article is incorrect (no change there) this is the Vantage V12 RS, as you can see from the pikkies there is a self lifting spoiler and other such items that was shown at Gaydon.

I dont like any of the external or internal changes, but I do like the idea of a V12. 'Pimp-my-Vantage' no thanks, the same as 'Pimp-my-DB9' DBS, there is a distinct lack of taste creeping into Aston Martin, not sure where it is coming from.

Edited by sadlerj on Wednesday 5th March 09:48

[Mangusta]

I agree about the wheels.
They look like a product of every Premiership footballer and rap star's car modifying centre, Kahn Design.

[Murph7355]

*CQ* said:

Don't know where you heard that Murph as the V12 was in it at the time of taking the photo....

Think I read it in Evo.

The colour and the angles possibly don;t show it in the photos, but I believe the side profile is quite different due to the higher bonnet line.

The vents are also likely to help disguise it.

Don't like it, nor do I like the DB9. Both are "Halfords does Aston" IMO.

Soundtrack...the V8's great, even better with a Tubi. Fortunate to also have a V12 too...

[clanger]

Needs reporting to the taste patrol. That is blingsville with a capital B

[toohuge]

Aston appear to have lost the plot. All the success has gone to their heads are making cars for the masses. Disaster. Not a big fan of the Vantage RS, wheels look terrible and it does not look all that refined for an Aston. IMO

[jus]

Completely confusing... have they managed to get the V12 in or not? Now we have talk of a 4.7 V8, and of a variable-valve timing 4.3 V8 as well...

[stanwan]

jus said:

Completely confusing... have they managed to get the V12 in or not? Now we have talk of a 4.7 V8, and of a variable-valve timing 4.3 V8 as well...

I believe that the current engine already has variable intake valve timing.....

[DJC]

How many ppl complaining either have a Vantage or other ASton already?

[:J:]

Murph7355 said:

Personally I'd sooner they'd have spent the time and effort going over the standard car properly than waste it on this. And after a highly positive start in Aston ownership, hoping that their new found freedom would allow them to move the game on so I have a succession of cars to be tempted by, I fear that Aston may be clutching at straws at the moment...hope I'm wrong.

Just like Evo, you have made the mistake of thinking this car has nothing to do with Ford, it was well under way before they sold up and moved out.

[Murph7355]

:J: said:

Just like Evo, you have made the mistake of thinking this car has nothing to do with Ford, it was well under way before they sold up and moved out.

Be that as it may, aren't the same people there who were there under Ford?

And evidently the "new" management evidently think it the right direction to go, otherwise one might assume they'd have canned the project as soon as they were released from the mothership?

[Murph7355]

DJC said:

How many ppl complaining either have a Vantage or other ASton already?

Not complaints as much as registering a dislike. But either way, does it really matter whether people own one already or not?

If the car is built in small enough numbers it will sell out. But then pretty much any car made in small enough numbers will simply by way of exclusivity.

It'll be interesting to see how cars like this and the DBS hold up slightly longer term.

[Pugsey]

jus said:

Completely confusing... have they managed to get the V12 in or not? Now we have talk of a 4.7 V8, and of a variable-valve timing 4.3 V8 as well...

For clarity. The ubber Vantage - shown at the opening of Astons design studio recently - had a V12 in it, and I believe that is the car on show at Geneva. It is NOT a runner and insiders have told me it won't be built, not least do to massive cooling problems. It's a publicity earner. The revised V8 Vantage - the new standard car - due out this Autumn will have a 4.7 engine putting out around 430bhp. No other 'performance' versions have been finalised or announced yet.

Given that a new standard car, sensibly spec'd, will probably now be north of £90k sadly, I can't see myself considering it over a new 997S (or 997GT3 if they make a MK2) - or more likely a used F430.

Edited by Pugsey on Saturday 8th March 10:51

[10JH]

Yeah I agree with your comments Pugsey, will have to be epic to compete at that price range. One of the biggest selling points of the AMV8 is its much lower price bracket.