Aston Martin Offers Upgrade Packages for 4.3-liter V8 Vantage Owners

When Aston Martin released the hugely popular V8 Vantage in 2006, they fitted it with a 4.3-liter V8 and 380 horsepower. This wasn't enough for many people, since the Vantage's competitors such as the Porsche 911 Turbo and Audi R8 were easily faster. Finally AM decided to up the ante for the 2009 V8 Vantage and bore out the engine to 4.7 liters, add a high-performance Sports Package and tighten the chassis, making the Vantage a real kick-in-the-nuts to Porsche and Audi. Not wanting to leave the 2006-2008 V8 Vantage owners behind in their 380 HP weenie-mobiles, Aston Martin created an upgrade package allowing them to increase their horsepower to 400, add around 7 ftlbs of torque, and hit a slightly higher top speed of 177 mph. All of this is done through a new air intake system originally designed for the DBS which opens a valve at 5500 RPM, letting more air in and allowing for more power. The engine computer has also been tweaked to optimize ignition timing and allow for a higher octane fuel to be used. Additionally, due to the popularity of the new Sport Pack option on the 2009 Vantage, Aston Martin is allowing previous owners to retrofit a Sport Pack onto their older car. The Sport Pack increases handling performance with upgraded springs and Bilstein dampers, and adds the sexy new lightweight 5-spoke alloy wheels. Still not as quick as the 2009 V8 Vantage, and you still can't get the excellent Sport/Comfort mode in the Sportshift 2009s, but it's definitely an upgrade that I hope many will take. Pricing has not yet been announced, but don't expect it to be cheap. Check out our 2009 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Review

 

Aston Martin Racing launches new Vantage GT4

Aston Martin Racing has released the 2009 specification Vantage GT4 based on Aston Martin's new 4.7 litre V8 Vantage.  The new Vantage GT4 builds on the success of its predecessor, the 4.3 litre Vantage N24.The Vantage GT4 has been under development for six months and was unveiled in Dubai this week by Aston Martin chairman, David Richards, and tested extensively at the Dubai Autodrome….

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Second official image of production Aston Martin Rapide leaks

Late last month Aston Martin released the first official image of its upcoming Rapide four-door coupe, and like the previously revealed One-77 supercar the first image was a computer generated teaser that only revealed a few details. The second image, leaked today, is essentially the same, but shows the car from the rear, with a clear shot at the glass roof. The first picture showed that the production version will lose the tiny side air intakes on the front bumper that were first shown on the concept version, while the sides pick up a new shunt line that runs almost the entire length of the body. Spy Shots: Aston Martin Rapide spotted with glass roof

 

2009 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Review

2009 Aston Martin V8 Vantage New for 2009 Since its release in 2006, the V8 Vantage had a 4.3-liter V8 which produced 380 horsepower. Much more than that, and the light-weight Vantage would keep up with its older brother, the V12-wielding DB9. In an effort to keep that from happening (and pissing off DB9 owners,) Aston Martin kept the Vantage's power down. This made the Vantage slower than its arch rivals - namely the Porsche 911 Turbo and Audi R8. But not anymore. For 2009, Aston Martin got fed up with Porsche owners stepping all over them with their run-of-the-mill 911s. They increased the displacement of the V8 from 4.2 liters to 4.7, upping the horsepower to 420, and increasing torque 15% to 347 lb-ft. What we have now is a full-fledged power-house. And I couldn't be happier. Along with the bigger engine comes a modified clutch for manual transmissions, as well as a new program for Sportshift equipped cars to change between Sport and Comfort mode which changes the car's dynamics drastically, turning it from an excellent sports car into a comfortable cruiser. Additional changes for 2009 include a revised center console, an "ECU" (Emotion Control Unit) replacing the previous standard key, LED interior lighting, and new wheels, along with quite a few other small changes. The exterior is untouched this year (don't fix something if it isn't broken.) Options and Trims Engines and Drivetrain The 2009 Aston Martin V8 Vantage gets a new 420 horsepower 4.7-liter V8 engine, and comes available with either a 6-speed manual or Sportshift (paddle-shifter) gearbox. If the Sportshift option is chosen, the customer gets a new dual-throttle map mode, which allows them to choose between the default Sport mode, or a more tame Comfort mode. Comfort mode makes it easier to drive in high traffic or on the highway, reducing some of the jerkiness of the transmission and throttle, but doesn't respond to driver input as quickly. Options An exciting new option for the 2009 V8 Vantage is the Sports Pack, which includes lightweight 5-spoke alloy wheels, re-tuned Bilstein dampers, up-rated springs and a revised rear anti-roll bar (on the coupe only.) The new wheels are very sexy, as you can see in the pictures. Aston Martin says the Sport Pack is very popular, chosen on 50% of all V8 Vantages produced, and will be offered as a retro-fit on all 2008 and below Vantages soon. Our test car had the Sport pack, and I was very impressed with the increased handling ability. Additional options include an upgraded audio system, heated front seats, cruise control, bluetooth connectivity, GPS navigation, memory seats and mirrors, front parking sensors, HID headlights, and a few accessories such as a first aid kit and an umbrella. As usual, you can also customize the colors of the various interior trim and seats, from the color of stitching on the carpets, to the color of the headliner. Design Do I really need to say anything here? The Aston Martin V8 Vantage is one of the most beautiful cars on the road today, inside and out. The new 5-spoke wheels included in the 2009 Sport Pack are great looking. Available in both a Coupe and Roadster, the V8 Vantage is one of few cars that look equally good in both variations. Inside, the leather is beautifully hand-stitched with a thread color of your choice. The redesigned center console is finished with graphite silver, and houses the new glass ECU, first introduced on the DBS a couple years ago. An Alcantara headliner rounds out the luxurious interior. This car is nothing short of a work of art - from the instrument panel to the wheels; headlights to taillights, everything about this car screams sexy. Driving What we liked Damn near everything. The V8 Vantage is a pleasure to drive, and the power bump for 2009 was a smart move for Aston Martin. The Sport/Comfort mode is great, and the Sport Pack will appeal to all driving enthusiasts. Handling is exceptional around corners, and the enhancements for 2009 keep you from feeling any flex in the chassis. This is one of the most beautiful cars on the road today, and the swarms of people pointing and staring with jaws dropped won't let you forget that you're driving it. The engine note is fantastic at any RPM; a low-pitched growl of which you'll never tire. Extensive customization options, although expensive, let you have your Aston any way you want. What we didn't like There really isn't much to complain about with the Vantage. Aston Martin fixed the power issue that was a previous complaint, but I would still like to see some faster acceleration. Even with 420 horsepower, the 0-60 time is 4.7 seconds. While that's not a bad time, getting beaten off the line by a BMW M3 would be embarrassing. But then again, you're not buying an Aston Martin for the 0-60 time; you're buying it for the pleasure of driving it - and it delivers. My only other complaints about the V8 Vantage are minor - there is a large blind spot out the rear due to the styling. That, however is a non-issue, since fixing it would require altering the styling, and that's not something you want to do to this car. In this case, the blind spot is worth it. Since I'm nitpicking, I think that cruise control should be standard, and the footwells are too narrow as well - I could see it becoming cramped in the manual transmission version. Pricing and Warranty The V8 Vantage is the cheapest way to get into an Aston Martin, but this "baby" Aston will still set you back at least $120,000. Here are the base prices: V8 Vantage Coupe Roadster Manual $119,500 132,500 Sportshift 123,500 136,500 The Sports Pack comes in at $3,785, HID auto-leveling headlights are $795, and Premium Audio $1,595. Many other options are available, and you can customize the exterior and interior colors any way you choose. The no-cost options are limited to eight "Fast Track" choices, while the nine "Contemporary" colors will cost you $750. DBS Special colors will cost $1,895, and any Special colors such as the Sunburst Yellow paint will run $3,785. Want your car to match your favorite shoes? Send Aston Martin your shoe and they'll match it for $3,785. Same thing for the interior - choose your leather, trim, carpeting, stitching, and headliner colors…the list goes on. Before You Buy Unless you're a fanatic about manual transmissions, check out the Sportshift option. Our test car had Sportshift, and not only does it do a great job as a paddle-shifting gearbox, but the Sport/Comfort modes alone make it worth the extra cost. It even gets slightly better fuel economy than the manual. Main Competitors Audi R8 Porsche 911 Turbo Maserati GranTurismo S

 

2010 Aston Martin Rapide | New official photos

Aston Martin release today 6 photos of the upcoming Rapide. 2010 Aston Martin Rapide comes with a 6.0 L V12 engine producing 500 HP, with a top speed of 290 Km/H. 100 Km/H is achieved under 5 seconds. 2010 Aston Martin Rapide will have it's debut at Geneva Motor Show in March 2009. The basic price is arou [...]

 

Aston Martin DBS: Bonds Have More Fun

"Yes, we do, in fact, have one of the DBSs from the filming of "Quantum" in the States at the moment. Would you be interested in driving it?" The properly British-accented Aston Martin representative had me shaken and stirred. Time to dig out my Persol 2720-S shades (worn by Craig in "Casino Royale") and Omega Seamaster Professional Chronograph (performing all kinds of tricks from the wrist of Pierce Brosnan in "Goldeneye") and see what it might feel like to be Bond -- or at least a Bond geek -- for a day. We recently put the updated-for-2009 DBS, equipped with the newly available Touchtronic automatic transmission, through its paces and found it to be the best-performing Aston Martin we've ever tested. But Daniel Craig never got anywhere near that one. What makes a real Bond car different from the others? Not so much, this time around. If you've seen the latest 007 film, you'll know there are no machine guns, missile launchers, or defibrillators on Bond's latest DBS. It's hardly bulletproof either; this poor Aston is riddled with machine-gun fire by the time "Quantum's" hyper-thrilling opening sequence is over. Unlike our recent tester, the movie machines have six-speed manuals and are fitted with optional sport seats that aren't homologated for sale in the U.S. This car's exhaust system packs more bass and volume. The dark, warm gray paint color is called Quantum Silver. Then there was the set of Italian license plates in the trunk, as "Quantum's" chase scene was filmed around Lake Garda. I seriously considered sending the car back to Aston Martin one plate short of a pair. Several "hero" cars were used during production, those that need to be seen in one piece, sans bullet holes. They're also used for scenes shot from the inside, where Bond is being filmed in the interior of the car. At least one of them was rigged for multiple camera use, and another was beaten up pretty good along the way. Another DBS (likely a prototype destined for the crusher) was converted into a giant film rig, complete with a large chassis beneath it, and a separate driver in back, a la hook-and-ladder. Did this Bond wannabe spend his time cruising Italy's lakes, in search of a Vesper-like lady? Heck no. Like a carnival worker with a pony, I gave rides: friends, my nephew and niece, whoever; the line formed here. Several women just wanted to park their behinds in a driver's seat that was once occupied by Daniel Craig. Movie provenance aside, this is a wonderful machine to drive. The chesty exhaust and manual trans allowed me to play the 6.0-liter V-12 like a torque-laden pipe organ. The sport seats have a fixed back with no rake adjustment. They're not luxurious, but really pin you in when you're flogging the DBS, dodging imaginary gunfire. Sunglasses not withstanding, even the most sight-impaired person wouldn't mistake me for Craig. But a day in his wheels gave me a hint at what it might be like to be the world's most famous spy.

 

Aston Martin Vantage get power upgrade

So you bought an Aston Martin V8 Vantage with a 4.3 litre engine, not knowing the company would soon offer a stronger 4.7 litre engine down the line. And now you're feeling a bit inadequate. Well, good news for you. Owners of a 4.3 Vantage are getting a new performance option. AM is making available a 20 horsepower upgrade to the engine in the form of a retro-fit induction system based on a similar unit in the DBS. This system has two switching airbox-valves which open up at 5,500rpm to give an increase in air intake to the engine. To keep combustion under control, the engine ECU has been reprogrammed to improve ignition timing. These changes let the car better utilize high octane fuel, getting better overall performance.