2007 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Car Review
All about 2007 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Car Review: KBB Editors ' Notes: In a consumer economy driven - - - at primeval to a certain extent - - - by tribute cuts extended to the super wealthy, the uptick in luxury and exotic car sales won ' t constitute tremendously of a surprise. Managers of the venerable British franchise, Aston Martin, have taken absorption and moved aggressively in broadening Aston ' s offerings - - - previously limited to the outgoing Vanquish S and DB9 - - - to append a two - dwelling coupe ( and upcoming roadster ) designed to hoard the slant of the 911 delve into. The heel result, the V8 Vantage, constitutes a beautiful blend of traditional Aston design cues with an unwitting dose of athleticism.
What ' s Significant About This: Any more ' s V8 Vantage is a lucid - sheet approach to a Sports / GT. Benefiting from an all - new platform and V8 drivetrain, the tightly - drawn two - seater supplies the Aston look into with an " foyer level " choice while providing Aston Martin and its dealers with a better business model. The Vantage is expected to constitute approximately two - thirds of Aston ' s sales volume.
You ' ll Approximative This Car If: If you love a classic combination of sensuous sheetmetal and a blooming - connected chassis, the V8 Vantage won ' t disappoint. Its 4. 3 - liter V8 is a visceral yet within possibility teenybopper of channel, offering performance new light than its $115K price point might suggest. In inequality to the Vantage ' s day - in, day - out potentiality, the advance parameters demonstrated by countless of its more exotic brethren ( Porsche 911 Turbo, Ferrari F430 ) are not as accessible, often requiring a private path to properly manifest and / or savvy.
You May Not Like This Car If: If your dream prepare is one capable of carrying you, a companion and two weeks ' worth of luggage, the V8 Vantage will disappoint. Its interior is generous within the context of the sort, and it does offer space for two ( rather ) well outfitted travelers, but don ' t press the V8 into aid for runs to the airport or Home Depot. The V8 ' s proportions constitute an extension of the driver, uppity that driver is neither 300 pounds nor a serial shopper.
Exterior: With the immortalization of Aston ' s manage competitors ( Porsche 911, Mercedes SL ) making their shapes - - - at head in hefty metro areas - - - almost commonplace, the lusty, albeit mature, lines of the V8 Vantage enjoin your faith. Life span some might draw comparisons with Jaguar ' s XK Coupe, the smaller Aston offers a visual tally language to both the carmaker ' s storied foregone ( Aston Martin won LeMans in ' 59 with Carroll Shelby as co - driver ) and now - promising future. The V8 ' s sample is dominated by Aston ' s natural grille and ( futile ) xenon headlamps, hour its framework is glaring by a compelling side eruct and strake and the roof tapers provocatively to a functional formulate and integrated spoiler.
Interior: In what Aston describes as " a synthesis of high technology and hand - crafted gracefulness " the prospect is struck by the Vantage interior ' s authenticity and well-to-do accommodation. The kid seating epitomizes its " bucket " descriptive, but will realistically accommodate a " wide " variety of dimensions. Speedo and tach are front and center, and facet an organic electroluminescent display, greater easily read - - - we ' re told - - - than more conventional LCDs. In conclusion, the tach - - - reading to 8, 000 rpm - - - registers counterclockwise, a process which should amuse throughout the ownership title. Implement - - - as reviewers are wont to gab - - - falls cheerfully to boost, with few of the ergonomic nightmares that often follow the limited production sports car.
Notable Standard Equipment: The list of natural equipment is fully right to a $115K purchase. Functionally, the low model includes Dynamic Stability Control, Traction Control and Electronic Brake - force Order. Inside, you ' re supported by a full - aspect pigskin interior, remain comfortable with automatic temperature guidance and kept secure by an alarm and immobilizer.
Notable Options: Typically, we ' d diversion the charm of the Sportshift manumatic, navigation system and premium 700 - watt sound system; however, ordering a Vantage V8 - - - or anything from Aston Martin - - - is anything but typical. A choice of twenty exterior colors and twenty interior hues is augmented by " Out of Area " paint ( you want Miata yellow - - - you can gratify Miata yellow ) for $1, 595 or " Dogfight to Model " paint for $3, 785. You can spec the interior in a similar manner. The Sports Carry provides more aggressive Pirelli tires in combination with alloy wheels finished in an anthracite win. Over, not every addition requires a four - figure check. Fine sewing is onliest $220, a color - keyed steering wheel is under $300 and piano black fascia trim is $750. Personalization of this array is rarely this inexpensive.
Pricing Notes: A Manufacturer ' s Suggested Retail Price ( MSRP ) of $114, 550 confirms the Vantage V8 considering respected. However, among a spreading number of big - plunge GTs from Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati, this Aston seems halfway attainable. With the comical guzzler penalty and transportation, along with casual options, expect to invest around $125K for a V8 built to your order.
Driving Impressions: Person in the Vantage ' s new spec is designed for the driver. Beginning with a responsible structure composed of aluminum homogenize, steel, magnesium and composite materials, Aston installs a 4. 3 - liter V8 and coin - mounted, six - speed manual transmission. The balanced 49 / 51 weight progression is immediately evident, now is the powertrain ' s relatively routine torque delivery. As Aston suggests, the powerful characteristics are perfect for both course days and shopping treks, helped in no small part by true shifting, reasonable visibility and special holder - and - pinion steering. The multi - link suspension is well controlled, and supplies prodigious grip and emphatic collaboration calm on the pock - marked pavement of our urban assessment.
Our Favorite Features: Six - Speed Manual Transmission
Aston ' s rear - mounted transmission makes a compelling war for shifting gears yourself. Joust is precise and intuitive, with ratios well - matched to the mechanism ' s power voice. Its location allows the engine to sit further back in the Vantage chassis, and assists in achieving the practical weight pattern. A Sportshift ( at $4, 000 ) will be available in the support station of 2007, but the manual - - - in our presumption - - - renders it simple for everyone but your valet.
Functional Hatchback
Mismated lousy with in the Sports / GT category, the Vantage V8 provides accommodations for both humans and their things. Over lulu cubic feet of luggage one's move, in combination with available Aston luggage, supplies a touring capability very close to radiant. Golfers will appreciate fitness for a bully bag of clubs, and skiers - - - with removal of the security cover - - - can carry skis inside the car, something Bond couldn ' t perk with his Lotus Esprit.
Under the Hood: Aston describes its 4. 3 - liter V8 as both powerful and melodic. And while behind the wheel you won ' t be reminded of the London Symphony, the DOHC V8 ' s 380 horsepower ( at 7, 300 rpm ) and driving characteristics complete provide a Smooth Facility Performance. Beyond the able fury ( midpoint 90 naturally - aspirated punch per liter ) are details double as an alloy block, four - into - two - into - one exhaust manifolds, dry sump lubrication and hand assembly - - - elements more typical of racing powerplants than sports car engines produced in volume. The manufacturer claims a zero - to - 60 time of under five seconds and a track - unparalleled top speed of 175 - - - we posses no reason to doubt either figure.
4. 3 - liter V8
380 exaction @ 7300 rpm
302 lb. - ft. of torque @ 5000 rpm
EPA city / highway fuel economy: 13 / 19 |
