motor

fordgt84 · 02-04-2009, 05:02 AM

The Aston Martin V12 Vantage has arrived and yes, you want one. Evolving the styling and engineering exercise Aston unveiled in 2007 and set for a Geneva Motor Show debut, the blokes Gaydon claim the V12 Vantage is the most driver-focused sports car the automaker has ever produced.

Power is provided by a 6.0-liter V12 putting out 510 hp at 6,500 rpm and 420 lb.-ft. of torque at 5,750 rpm. The Vantage's new-found grunt is sent through a carbon fiber driveshaft to a rear-mounted six-speed manual gearbox. The transmission benefits from an oil cooler and a new rear diffuser helps cool the standard limited slip differential. Aston claims a 0-60 time of 4.1 seconds and top speed of 190 mph.

Independent double wishbones are mounted fore and aft, while six-piston calipers squeeze 398mm (15.67-inch) carbon ceramic discs in front and four-piston units clamp down on 360 mm (14.17-inch) ceramic rotors in the rear. The front wheels measure 19x9-inches and the rears 19x11-inches, each wrapped in Pirelli P Zero Corsa rubber sized 255/35 and 295/30, respectively.

Inside, carbon fiber door pulls join a host of standard features, while lightweight, carbon-kevlar seats, personalized sill plates and a premium audio system are optional.

The V12 Vantage features spring rates 80% stiffer in front and 45% stiffer in the rear, allowing the coupe to hit up to 1.3 lateral gs. The V12 mill weighs almost 200 pounds more than the V8, but after the Aston got done tweaking the Vantage, the overall increase was a paltry 110 pounds. Pricing hasn't been announced, but expect each of the 1,000 V12 Vantages Aston plans to produce to fetch a princely sum.

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/03/g...tage-revealed/

5vz-fe · 02-04-2009, 05:12 AM

Wow...with a big V12 in a small car and yet still fail to break into the 3 range to 60? I am utterly disappointed.

HeilSvenska · 02-04-2009, 11:33 AM

Originally Posted by 5vz-fe

Wow...with a big V12 in a small car and yet still fail to break into the 3 range to 60? I am utterly disappointed.

There's no magic way to break into the 3 second range just by fitting a V12 into any car. First, the V8 Vantage isn't that light to start off. This car's only about 100lbs lighter than the DBS. That's why it's only 0.2 sec faster than the equally powered DBS, which probably has the same transmission.

It's disappointing when you keep comparing it to the original concept, which was obviously insane, but if you compare it with potential rivals, it's not that slow.

SL65 AMG has 100hp advantage, but it's no faster.
The Audi R8 V10 does it in 3.9sec, but that has more grip.

If you think about it, you'll probably buy it because 1.) It's a limited edition Aston Martin. 2.) It looks and sounds better than 99% of cars in production. 3.) It will probably more fun to drive than the DBS due to its size and the set up.

pitfield · 02-04-2009, 11:40 AM

Also no 4 wheel drive and front engined so less weight over the tyres.

5vz-fe · 02-04-2009, 04:32 PM

Think Ferrari California

HeilSvenska · 02-04-2009, 05:24 PM

Originally Posted by 5vz-fe

Think Ferrari California

Never.

RC45 · 02-04-2009, 07:04 PM

Those have got to be the UGLIEST wheels evah...Unless they are saving the rappers, footballers and other twits that would have just put 24" DUBs on their cars, the time and trouble... and pre-installed ugly wheels.

black_diamond · 02-04-2009, 08:02 PM

I don't like the gills on the hood, it looks like Porsche is designing Astons now.

MidEngine4Life · 02-04-2009, 10:22 PM

Originally Posted by black_diamond

I don't like the gills on the hood, it looks like Porsche is designing Astons now.

I agree i dont care for them much. Rest of the car looks as good as always though

fordgt84 · 02-06-2009, 04:04 PM

the boys at drivers-republic.co.uk managed to get some revs from it... if you're a v12 lover i'm sure you'll enjoy the sound

http://www.drivers-republic.co.uk/fl...1.flv&replay=1

fabro_s · 02-06-2009, 04:40 PM

Holyyyyyyyyyyy Motherrrrrrrrrr of Godddddddddddddddddd

That thing sounded likee the endddddd of the worldddddddddddddd

10000rpmlover · 02-07-2009, 11:24 AM

Originally Posted by fordgt84

the boys at drivers-republic.co.uk managed to get some revs from it... if you're a v12 lover i'm sure you'll enjoy the sound

http://www.drivers-republic.co.uk/fl...1.flv&replay=1

omg, I think I busted a... ehem... need to go get some kleenex, brb

styla21 · 02-08-2009, 09:59 PM

I don't get the point of this car... Why? Doesn't it compete directly with the DB9?

Edit: Just watched the video.... Holy ^%!#.

HeilSvenska · 02-09-2009, 11:19 AM

Originally Posted by styla21

I don't get the point of this car... Why? Doesn't it compete directly with the DB9?

Two words. Limited Edition.

Mattk · 02-11-2009, 09:48 PM

It's not like the world is full of Aston Martins. I'm not sure whether a 'limited edition' is really all that comparatively rare. Nevertheless, a pretty good car despite the gills on the bonnet and weird wheels.

Wow...with a big V12 in a small car and yet still fail to break into the 3 range to 60? I am utterly disappointed.

I'm not sure people buy Aston Martins because they are fast. They are not made for class-topping performance.