New 4.7 driven Cab/Coupe/SportsPack/Sports Shift/Standard
Discussion
Was lucky to have the chance to sample a range of the new 4.7 cars, at a proving ground, so thought I would share my thoughts, this was also the first time I had sampled the Roadster & Aston sports Shift!
I'm a year out of a 4.3 car & currently into a 997GT3, so comparisons aren't state of the art as my memory has faded slightly on the 4.3 & my current GT3 "feels" a lot faster than even the new 4.7!
I know there are lots of press reports out, but I hope this still adds something, coming from the perspective of someone that has run a 4.3 AMV8 for a year, rather than just driven it for a day!
Summary feelings;
Engine
1/ main benefit is a "gruntier" & smoother mid-range, the car is more relaxing to drive as it picks up much better from low revs, so you don't have to thrash it at the top end all the time in order to go! Sounds like a small change, but makes a large difference in reality!
2/ All out performance is definitely better & more eager, but not streets ahead of the 4.3, it now "feels" faster, before it went pretty fast but didn't feel it, hope that makes sense. Enough to feel "just" quick enough to pump the adrenalin on grunt alone, which is a decent step forward IMO!
3/ Could be my ears, but it sounds quieter now from the inside.
Handling
The V8 has always felt solid, planted & cohesive on the twisty stuff & the latest car is no exception, while its steering & handling isn't ultra communicative, it is fabulously flowing & stable, it really moves all as one! The standard car can feel slightly floaty at extreme speeds, but actually tracks & handles very well even when pushed very hard, but the sport pack ties things down further with a sharper feel, all be it with a noticeably harsher ride! Personally I'd tick the sport pack box for sure!
Exterior/Interior & Wheels
The sport pack wheels look stunning, the standard 19-inchers are better than expected in the flesh, but look a little too old-fashion for the modern AMV8 design IMO, another reason to go sport pack!
Exterior unchanged but still stunning, best looking car on the road IMO. The new centre consul, brings a more modern funky look to the interior, definitely an improvement, I even like the new square crystal style key that is inserted in the consul to start the beastie.
Negatives: Personally I think that the standard spec should include Sat Nav, HID’s & Bluetooth at this price point, but they currently add an extra £3k, then you need the sport pack at £2.5k, so you are over 90k (before delivery) before you drool over upgraded stereo’s & other tasty options.
Roadster
The biggest revelation of the day for me, I have always viewed soft-tops as a soft slightly poser option, but the V8 roadster is SO RIGID it is nearly like the coupe, all the benefits of wind in your hair, sun on your face, exhaust note louder in your ears & very little loss of handling finesse ... Aston have done an awesome job with the Roadster & should shout about this more! I did the Alpine route roof down & loved it!
Flappy Paddles & manual gearbox
I have always been negative about paddle shifts, but the latest version is very good, can't knock it at all really aside from the fact that as an enthusiastic driver it removes one layer of involvement & it can be a little “jerky” on auto & thumps hard enough to move the car on flat out upshifts! As you feel slightly more detached from the driving experience I Personally still preferred the manual, although the sports shift is faster on a flat out manual paddle controlled charge & easier/more relaxing in stop start auto mode!
The manual box is improved a fair bit but first is still ultra notchy & mechanical in feel!
Hope this brief peek at the new AMV8 is helpful & interesting for some, in summary a stunning looking ultra classy car that has just got even better on the driving front, all good news the 4.7 gets a big thumbs up from my point of view.
YOUR thoughts???.............................
I'm a year out of a 4.3 car & currently into a 997GT3, so comparisons aren't state of the art as my memory has faded slightly on the 4.3 & my current GT3 "feels" a lot faster than even the new 4.7!
I know there are lots of press reports out, but I hope this still adds something, coming from the perspective of someone that has run a 4.3 AMV8 for a year, rather than just driven it for a day!
Summary feelings;
Engine
1/ main benefit is a "gruntier" & smoother mid-range, the car is more relaxing to drive as it picks up much better from low revs, so you don't have to thrash it at the top end all the time in order to go! Sounds like a small change, but makes a large difference in reality!
2/ All out performance is definitely better & more eager, but not streets ahead of the 4.3, it now "feels" faster, before it went pretty fast but didn't feel it, hope that makes sense. Enough to feel "just" quick enough to pump the adrenalin on grunt alone, which is a decent step forward IMO!
3/ Could be my ears, but it sounds quieter now from the inside.
Handling
The V8 has always felt solid, planted & cohesive on the twisty stuff & the latest car is no exception, while its steering & handling isn't ultra communicative, it is fabulously flowing & stable, it really moves all as one! The standard car can feel slightly floaty at extreme speeds, but actually tracks & handles very well even when pushed very hard, but the sport pack ties things down further with a sharper feel, all be it with a noticeably harsher ride! Personally I'd tick the sport pack box for sure!
Exterior/Interior & Wheels
The sport pack wheels look stunning, the standard 19-inchers are better than expected in the flesh, but look a little too old-fashion for the modern AMV8 design IMO, another reason to go sport pack!
Exterior unchanged but still stunning, best looking car on the road IMO. The new centre consul, brings a more modern funky look to the interior, definitely an improvement, I even like the new square crystal style key that is inserted in the consul to start the beastie.
Negatives: Personally I think that the standard spec should include Sat Nav, HID’s & Bluetooth at this price point, but they currently add an extra £3k, then you need the sport pack at £2.5k, so you are over 90k (before delivery) before you drool over upgraded stereo’s & other tasty options.
Roadster
The biggest revelation of the day for me, I have always viewed soft-tops as a soft slightly poser option, but the V8 roadster is SO RIGID it is nearly like the coupe, all the benefits of wind in your hair, sun on your face, exhaust note louder in your ears & very little loss of handling finesse ... Aston have done an awesome job with the Roadster & should shout about this more! I did the Alpine route roof down & loved it!
Flappy Paddles & manual gearbox
I have always been negative about paddle shifts, but the latest version is very good, can't knock it at all really aside from the fact that as an enthusiastic driver it removes one layer of involvement & it can be a little “jerky” on auto & thumps hard enough to move the car on flat out upshifts! As you feel slightly more detached from the driving experience I Personally still preferred the manual, although the sports shift is faster on a flat out manual paddle controlled charge & easier/more relaxing in stop start auto mode!
The manual box is improved a fair bit but first is still ultra notchy & mechanical in feel!
Hope this brief peek at the new AMV8 is helpful & interesting for some, in summary a stunning looking ultra classy car that has just got even better on the driving front, all good news the 4.7 gets a big thumbs up from my point of view.
YOUR thoughts???.............................
Edited by Grant3 on Sunday 13th July 15:53
Thanks Grant - very useful. And spot on since you largely agree with my own conclusions! 
Now then - I TOLD you the Roadster was the way to go didn't I! In fact I almost can't see why you'd go Coupe unless you actively didn't like drop tops for some reason.
Are you comitting to one then?
Now then - I TOLD you the Roadster was the way to go didn't I! In fact I almost can't see why you'd go Coupe unless you actively didn't like drop tops for some reason.
Are you comitting to one then?
Yup - very nice...now I must not give in, and I must wait 3 years to swap mine for one
...I reckon if the current prices stabilise at £40K, and these depreciate as usual so a 3 yr old is £50K-55 ish, that means for a meagre £10K ish every 2 years, I can always have a 3 yr old Vantage in the fleet ...think of it like that, and its as affordable as a new Mondeo every few years !
...I reckon if the current prices stabilise at £40K, and these depreciate as usual so a 3 yr old is £50K-55 ish, that means for a meagre £10K ish every 2 years, I can always have a 3 yr old Vantage in the fleet ...think of it like that, and its as affordable as a new Mondeo every few years !Hi Guys thanks for the replies.
Pugs... Yes yes you were right, the Roadster really was a revalation, can't believe how rigid it was!
I haven't committed "YET", I'm still pondering, the new 4.7s are fabulous cars
, but then I get back in the GT3 annnnd 
... I used to be indecisive but I'm not sure now!
Pugs... Yes yes you were right, the Roadster really was a revalation, can't believe how rigid it was!
I haven't committed "YET", I'm still pondering, the new 4.7s are fabulous cars
, but then I get back in the GT3 annnnd ... I used to be indecisive but I'm not sure now!
Grant3 said:
Hi Guys thanks for the replies.
Pugs... Yes yes you were right, the Roadster really was a revalation, can't believe how rigid it was!
I haven't committed "YET", I'm still pondering, the new 4.7s are fabulous cars, but then I get back in the GT3 annnnd
... I used to be indecisive but I'm not sure now!
Given how you seem to have taken to the more 'thuggish' side of your GT3's character I reckon that - good as it now is - you'd feel a bit short changed by the V8 Coupe. Another reason for having a complete change of 'mood' or character and going Roadster I reckon. In addition I'd guess that the GT3 will be looking after you quite well in terms of resale value and I doubt you'll like the kick in the teeth the Aston will probably deliver in that area. So, what to do, what to do - the petrol head's old problem. Be like me, order so many of the damned things that your next decision is always made for you!Pugs... Yes yes you were right, the Roadster really was a revalation, can't believe how rigid it was!
I haven't committed "YET", I'm still pondering, the new 4.7s are fabulous cars
, but then I get back in the GT3 annnnd ... I used to be indecisive but I'm not sure now!
whoami said:
!!! Have a great day & do report back.Edited by Grant3 on Monday 14th July 17:56
Grant3 said:
whoami said:
!!! Have a great day & do report back.Edited by Grant3 on Monday 14th July 17:56
Nice post Grant. The question I have been playing in my head for some time "Is it worth £40,000 plus my 4.3" I have not driven it, but I am really feeling that it is not. All the changes seem to improve the car slightly in many ways, but I personally cannot justify 40k for these.
Edited by sadlerj on Tuesday 15th July 11:37
sadlerj said:
Nice post Grant. The question I have been playing in my head for some time "Is it worth £40,000 plus my 4.3" I have not driven it, but I am really feeling that it is not. All the changes seem to improve the car slightly in many ways, but I personally cannot justify 40k for these.
I fully understand where you are coming from, your current car is already a stunner & as I have said before when the 997TT came out & I looked how much it was to change from a 996TT (ouch!!) I felt the same way. The joys of depreciation on high end cars!Edited by sadlerj on Tuesday 15th July 11:37
Anyway I think most of the dealers are having an end of the month launch party, why don't you book yourself in for a test drive on the 4.7 Coupe & Roadster, it's good to be tempted & considering your next option even if the change may be a way off!!
sadlerj said:
Nice post Grant. The question I have been playing in my head for some time "Is it worth £40,000 plus my 4.3" I have not driven it, but I am really feeling that it is not. All the changes seem to improve the car slightly in many ways, but I personally cannot justify 40k for these.
see my post above - I agree...so Im hoping if im patient, look after my 4.3, then I can swap for 'just' £15K in 3 years LOLEdited by sadlerj on Tuesday 15th July 11:37
Grant3 said:
Pugsey said:
Grant - if you DO ever make your mind up and move on, then call me re your current car.
I'm open to offers I can't refuse with a discount for a friend of course Grant3 said:
Anyway I think most of the dealers are having an end of the month launch party, why don't you book yourself in for a test drive on the 4.7 Coupe & Roadster, it's good to be tempted & considering your next option even if the change may be a way off!!
Yer, where'e my invite to the champers session launch party, must all my dealer to give him a nudge!Talking about options, seeing loads of R8's around these days and they are really growing on me, they have fantastic road presence, when mixed in with other cars.
Gassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff