V8 cheapest Aston Martin ever

[stradale]

From evo.co.uk

V8 Set To Be The Cheapest Aston Ever

Buying a new Aston Martin has never cost so little! According to sources inside the company, the new entry-level Aston, which is to be called the V8 Vantage, will start with a price tag of £60,000.

However, bosses have decided the 'budget' car, which is aimed at stealing sales away from the likes of the Porsche 911, won't come with much in the way of standard kit. Customers who want the luxury of a full leather interior, bigger wheels or even a decent amount of power under the bonnet are going to have to pay extra on the options list for the privilege.

Previously, it had been thought the baby Aston would come with a £75,000 price tag and have a version of Jaguar's 4.2-litre V8 engine with either 320bhp or 400bhp under its bonnet. But because of the need for a lower price, the cheapest V8 Vantages are now thought to be getting a 3.5-litre engine taken from the XJ which has 'only' 265bhp. This would then leave room for a more powerful version that buyers would be able to upgrade to. Production is expected to start next year, although our sources tell us that the planned convertible version could be canned. This is because Aston thinks it may steal sales from the rag-top variant of the forthcoming DB9.

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/picture_library/dir_24/car_portal_pic_12171.jpg?7375

The entrance level V8 may be down on power, but it's still a stunning car for the same money as a 911. Let's hope the handling is as great as its looks.

[jon_s]

I have to admit that I love the styling of it....I know Jabba will have a problem with it being an Aston and all.....but I like it. And for 60k, you can't go wrong, however, if I was to get one, I would put the most powerful engine in it!

[stracing]

i like astons for their look and sports looking on the street. but i know i won't use it for track use.

[Jabba]

They are getting better looking (more of an up to date younger look to them)

[Wide]

i like astons for their look and sports looking on the street.

Agree... It looks awesome either all the Astons.. Engine is powerful..
Anyway I prefer Vanquish.. But it costs twice as this one..

[BADMIHAI]

It looks stunning....*It's an Aston, dumbass, of course it's stunning :)

It does look fucking sweet! Altough with 260 hp it might be a little "underpowered".

[themailman34]

That car looks amazing!!!! Kinda looks like the top of the line Vanquish. :D

[AlienDB7]

The prototype looked a little bit better, but for that price, it's still a very stunning looking car. I agree, having only 265hp is a bit low but it's intended to be a GT car anyway.

[Johns]

265hp is weak these days, cars are now avging 300hp+ and as the years go by cars will increase power like a maniac. people like me and probly everyone here live on power trips! :lol:

[Fleischmann]

Well the car looks stunning...and the 265bhp isn't going to make it slow.

[crasherror]

Wow i am inpressed by AM. They now have a new direction now that ford owns them.

[Supernintendo Chalme]

60 000 pounds?! How much does a Jaguar XK8 cost in the UK? If it's anywhere near the same price wouldn't anyone rather have the Aston, even if it's slower? It's not like people by XK8s because they're so fast, they buy them because they're so pretty and you look cool driving them. If it were me, I'd take an Aston over a similarly priced Jag any day of the week, even if it were slower.

[Ivanhoe]

ummm..err... I just don't like Astons, sorry... They're like Ferraris cept they don't go fast. I'd take a turbo over a vanquish anyday. As for this Aston, the look are O.K. imo nothing special. It will just be crushed by the 997 turbo. I doubt it could even keep up w/ the 996 turbo.

[hemi_fan]

I thought they banned the V8s because they were too environmentally harmful or something like that. Thats why they stopped the V8s in astons in the first place. Or I could be wrong, but I somehow remember that from a 5th/top gear vid.

[stradale]

ummm..err... I just don't like Astons, sorry... They're like Ferraris cept they don't go fast. I'd take a turbo over a vanquish anyday. As for this Aston, the look are O.K. imo nothing special. It will just be crushed by the 997 turbo. I doubt it could even keep up w/ the 996 turbo.

The AMV8 is not going to compete with the 911 turbo, but with the C2 and C4. I think Aston Martins are plenty fast BTW.

To hemi_fan: you're speaking of the video with Tiff Needell and the V8 Vantage Le Mans I think. The V8 engine of that car didn't meet emission regulations anymore and had to be cancelled. The V8 in this car is a different engine.

[Ivanhoe]

ummm..err... I just don't like Astons, sorry... They're like Ferraris cept they don't go fast. I'd take a turbo over a vanquish anyday. As for this Aston, the look are O.K. imo nothing special. It will just be crushed by the 997 turbo. I doubt it could even keep up w/ the 996 turbo.

The AMV8 is not going to compete with the 911 turbo, but with the C2 and C4. I think Aston Martins are plenty fast BTW.

To hemi_fan: you're speaking of the video with Tiff Needell and the V8 Vantage Le Mans I think. The V8 engine of that car didn't meet emission regulations anymore and had to be cancelled. The V8 in this car is a different engine.

Are you serious? I thought I saw in some mag that the amv8 will be going against the turbo. Anyway, Aston's are fast yes, but not like 360 fast or murcielago fast or turbo fast. Just look at the Vanquish, that thing weighs like a billion lbs..

[stradale]

Yeah, that was a big disappointment (along with the gearbox) for me too. I don't understand why they didn't get that weight down. The engine is fenomenal. Plenty of power and a wonderful sound. Still, the Vanquish isn't slow. What I don't get though is why anyone would want a Vanquish now that the DB9 is here. Same engine, allegedly a great chassis and you could choose a manual gearbox. It looks almost just as magnificent, but costs less. :?: :?: :?: Who knows a single reason for buying a Vanquish instead of a DB9?

[htfaber]

Good news!
With the 265 bhp they want to make it accesable for more people, though less exclusive....like a Porsche. Good decision I think.

The V8 Vantage is said to arrive with a whopping 500 bhp too. So I think you have your answer if it could compete with a turbo.

Notice the sidemirrors on a platter....nice

[htfaber]

Yeah, that's weird ain't it? I guess it's more the name and idea of buying a Vanquish that's gonna attract people. Because sensibly you should nuy a DB9. I also like the interior of the DB9 more than that of the Vanquish.

[maalox]

265hp puts it in Boxster territory, not 911 :shock:. I don't know if Aston should be compromising quite so heavily, although perhaps it will inject some much-needed sales volume. Now lets just hope the drive matches the looks...

[doyle]

I think it looks beautiful! 265bhp is gonna be enough for 90% of the intended audience. If a lower priced model that increases sales allows AM to make a real return to racing then I am all for it.

doyle

[FoxFour]

Absolutely sexy! Right on Aston Martin! They just need to keep it in the 350z price range and not weigh it down. And yes, the engine power does seem low- a 350Z puts around the same HP level. It better be as light as one too. A bare bones interior Aston Martin? Like to see what they have in mind.

[Ivanhoe]

I think it looks beautiful! 265bhp is gonna be enough for 90% of the intended audience. If a lower priced model that increases sales allows AM to make a real return to racing then I am all for it.

doyle

I agree!! I SO agree... I'd say 70-80% turbo owners or ferrari owners (this don't include you jabba :D ) can't even use 30-40% of their car. 295 is plenty. very good point. boxster territory? i dunno bout that, i think the boxster would get flattened.

[jwar]

Wow, very nice. I hope then end product gets good reviews.
It would be sad to cheapen the brand.
It has already been cheapened because of the Ford ownership.

Isn't it crazy how so many brands like: lamborghini, aston martin, bentley, porsche are all making a cheap version? It used to be that these cars were only available to the super rich. Now any professional can afford one.

[1zippo1]

Who knows a single reason for buying a Vanquish instead of a DB9?

I do, I like the look of the Vanquish more then that of the DB9 :D An important thing for a car, and certainly for a sportscar. But I do understand your point

[exotic_bugatti]

how much is £60,000 in u.s $

[pimrusis]

You are paying for the name. Give me a 911 anyday.

[bmwfreak]

I am, admittedly, an Aston Martin fan, and I am also a fan of the AM305 (it's Ford prototype codename). As with Astons, I think it's important to note that they're not all about brutal speed (ie 911 Turbo) or cornering finesse (ie Ferrari 575M/360), but a driving experience as a whole. Astons, together with Rolls Royces, Jags and Range Rovers, are British institutions in their own right. It has been a case with these cars, that refinement and sportiness go hand in hand, although we have seen with the S-Type R and RRovers that refinement does seem to be more of a priority. So perhaps it isnt all about cornering Gs and straightline speed after all. Many ppl seem to be blinded just by figures and facts. There IS an emotive aspect to motoring as well.