For the past several decades, the Aston Martin Vantage has become one of the nameplate’s most iconic and refined models ever produced by the British Marque. And this statement is not any less accurate when referring to the all new 2018 model. When first conceptualized in 1951 on a high-output engine option for the DB2, the Vantage promptly established itself as its own unique model.
The new Vantage sports car displays a bold yet timeless vibe with an athletic, predatory stance, which is evident from the minimal front and rear overhangs. The car’s robust flanks and generous haunches convey an unalloyed adroitness and vivacity that is inherent within the sports car. Furthermore, the new head and tail lights add a new signature concept to the Vantage, giving it a conspicuous road presence and a strong individual personality within its growing model range.
The sports car’s cockpit introduces sharp, focused lines that reflect a more dynamic and vigorous nature to the vehicle’s outer appearance. When stepping into the Vantage, a high waist interior theme and lower driving position welcomes you; this offers the driver and its passenger a more engaging driving experience with improved headroom when compared with the Vantage’s predecessors. The interior also includes extensive storage space behind the seats along with ample double-tier storage areas.
Under the hood of the new Vantage is Aston Martin’s potent new alloy, 4-litre twin-turbo V8 engine. It was placed as far back in the chassis as possible to find the perfect 50:50 weight distribution. The high performance and high efficiency V8 engine has a dry weight of 1530kg, in which provides the car with an overwhelming power-to-weight and torque-to-weight ratios.
This new Vantage deploys it’s massive power and torque to the rear wheels through a rear-mounted ZF eight-speed automatic transmission. Achieving 0 to 60mph in just 3.5 seconds and offering a top speed of 195mph, the new Vantage utilizes a series of integrated electronic systems to deliver maximum control to the driver, much to his/her enjoyment. These said electronic systems include Dynamic Stability Control and Dynamic Torque Vectoring.
The chassis of the car is an enhance version of the DB11’s bonded aluminum structured chassis, whereas 70 percent of the Vantage’s structure components are newly added. The design integrates balance, strength, sharpness, weight efficiency, and handling flexibility into the new Vantage as its the top priority.
Chief Creative Officer, Marek Reichman said: “New Vantage has the most powerful and provocative design language ever seen in a Vantage. A hunter, light in weight and is therefore light in it’s visual language. It is based on a single line under tension, inspired by the DB10 and the extreme track-only Aston Martin Vulcan, blending the two unique design languages together into a form that is sculpted, dynamic, pure and elemental”.
The Vantage features an amplitude of first-rate standard equipment such as keyless start/stop, tyre pressure monitoring system, parking distance display, park assist and front and rear parking sensors. The car also includes an In-Car Entertainment system, of which is controlled and viewed via a centrally mounted 8 LCD screen, that consists of the Aston Martin Audio System, iPod, iPhone and USB playback, Bluetooth audio & phone streaming, and an integrated satellite navigation system.
The new Vantage features an Electronic Rear Differential (E-Diff), which links itself to the car’s electronic stability control system in order to comprehend its performability, and then responds accordingly to transfer the engine’s power towards the relevant wheel. This in turn boosts straight-line stability and its cornering performance to give the driver a heightened level of confidence to fully explore and bring out the car’s true capabilities to it’s maximum potential.
With the assimilation of the engine, transmission, E-Diff, Dynamic Torque Vectoring, Dynamic Stability Control, Adaptive Damping and the electric power steering systems, the new Vantage has each mode better improve every area of the car to become one. This allows the vehicle to gain agility and enhanced responsiveness, thereby achieving a sharper, more vocal, and exciting nature for the Vantage. The Vantage generates a significant level of downforce thanks to its new side gills, which has been integrated into the body surface and drains air pressure out from the front wheel arches, and the distinct askew rear deck lid.
Just as you would expect from Aston Martin, the new Vantage demonstrates a high degree of craftsmanship from their flawless paintwork and lavish Alcantara & leather upholstery to the high quality tactile natural materials that were used for levels of finish. The customizability on the new vantage is quite extensive as it generously provides an array of options to choose from. These include forged alloy wheels in a variety of finishes, Sports Plus Collection (comprising Sports Plus seats and Sports steering wheel), carbon fibre interior and exterior detailing with a Premium Audio System.
Aston Martin President & Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Andy Palmer said: “It speaks volumes for the outgoing Vantage that it is the single most successful model in Aston Martin’s history. Creating a worthy successor has been a challenge to relish and a huge source of motivation. I’m enormously excited by what we’ve created: a new Vantage that’s more explicit in looks and intent, wrapping heart-pounding performance and dazzling dynamics into an everyday usable package. A true sports car with a sharper look and a keener dynamic edge, the new Vantage is the Aston Martin pure driving machine enthusiasts have been waiting for.”
With deliveries scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2018, the new Vantage is currently on sale for a recommended retail price of £120,900 in the UK, €154,000 in Germany and $149,995 in the USA.
For more information visit: Global.AstonMartin.com/en-gb/models/new-vantage
Photography by: Drew Gibson
