Tuesday 1st March, 2005 – First shown as a concept car in 2003, Aston Martin unveiled the production version of its eagerly awaited V8 Vantage at the 2005 Geneva International Motor Show. ”The V8 Vantage is a significant car for us,” explained Dr Ulrich Bez, CEO of Aston Martin. ”It is now the third model in our range and is the culmination of the first phase of reinvigorating the Aston Martin brand around the world that began in the year 2000.”

The V8 Vantage is a two-seater, with the rear environment offering a large luggage shelf area accessed by a tailgate. The long bonnet and two-seater cabin create an instantly recognisable stance, while minimal front and rear overhangs, combined with a wide track, appear to push the rear wheels out and enhance the extremities of the bodywork.

Offered with an imaginative combination of different leathers, contemporary fabrics and aluminium, V8 Vantage customers will have an extensive choice of standard body and trim colours from which to choose.

Inside, Aston Martin’s craftsmanship is matched to striking 21st century style. The dials are made from aluminium, and together with the switchgear have a very distinct design and unique Aston Martin look and feel.

The V8 Vantage has endured the most extensive test and development programme in the Company’s 91 year history. 78 Prototypes were vigorously tested more than 1 million miles. High speed testing was conducted at the Nardo test track in Italy and extensive testing was carried out at Nurburgring’s Nordschleife in Germany.

The V8 Vantage is the second model to use Aston Martin’s unique VH (Vertical Horizontal) architecture. Constructed from lightweight aluminum extrusions, precision castings and pressings, the underframe is bonded with aerospace adhesives and mechanically fixed with self-piercing rivets. The unique architecture provides an excellent backbone, while the use of materials such as lightweight alloys, magnesium and advanced composites for the body further contributes to the car’s low weight and high rigidity.

The all new 380 bhp engine is a 4.3 litre, low emissions all aluminium alloy V8, unique to Aston Martin. The advanced quad-cam 32-valve engine is individually hand assembled by skilled Aston Martin technicians at the company’s new engine production facility in Cologne, Germany, where every Aston Martin engine is built.

The layout of the powertrain adopts a transaxle configuration, whereby the front mid-mounted engine is connected to the transmission – at the rear of the car – via a cast aluminium torque tube and carbon fibre prop-shaft. This configuration provides the car with a 49:51 weight distribution, giving outstanding handling characteristics and excellent all round capabilities. The V8 Vantage will be initially offered with a 6-speed manual transmission and other alternatives will be announced at a later date.

Deliveries of the V8 Vantage to customers in the UK and Europe will begin in late summer and in North America and the rest of the world by the end of the year. It will be built at Aston Martin’s Headquarters at Gaydon, Warwickshire, UK, and completes the current Aston Martin line-up that comprises the flagship Vanquish S, the elegant DB9 and the agile V8 Vantage

Story by Aston Martin Lagonda Limited, edited by Supercars.net

In Detail

submitted by	Richard Owen
type	Series Production Car
built at	Gaydon, Warwickshire, England
body stylist	Henrik Fisker
price $	$ 124,300
engine	V8 w/Dry Sump Lubrication
position	Front Longituidnal
valvetrain	4 Valves per Cyl w/Variable Inlet Camshaft Timing
displacement	4280 cc / 261.2 in³
bore	89 mm / 3.5 in
stroke	86 mm / 3.39 in
power	283.4 kw / 380 bhp @ 7000 rpm
specific output	88.79 bhp per litre
bhp/weight	242.04 bhp per tonne
torque	410 nm / 302.4 ft lbs @ 5000 rpm
redline	7300
body / frame	Aluminium Alloy, Steel, Composite & Magnesium Alloy Body over Bonded Aluminium Structure
driven wheels	RWD w/Traction Control
front tires	235/45 ZR18 Bridgestone Potenza
rear tires	275/40 ZR18 Bridgestone Potenza
front brakes	Ventilated & Grooved Discs w/4-Piston Brembro Calipers
rear brakes	Ventilated & Grooved Discs w/4-Piston Brembro Calipers
front wheels	F 45.7 x 21.6 cm / 18 x 8.5 in
rear wheels	R 45.7 x 24.1 cm / 18 x 9.5 in
steering	Rack & Pinion w/Power Assist
f suspension	Double Aluminium Wishbones w/Coil Over Monotube Dampers, Anti-Roll Bar
r suspension	Double Aluminium Wishbones w/Coil Over Monotube Dampers, Anti-Roll Bar
curb weight	1570 kg / 3461 lbs
wheelbase	2600 mm / 102.4 in
front track	1568 mm / 61.7 in
rear track	1562 mm / 61.5 in
length	4683 mm / 184.4 in
width	1866 mm / 73.5 in
height	1255 mm / 49.4 in
transmission	Mid-Mounted 6-Speed Graziano Manual Gearbox
gear ratios	3.154:1, 1.974:1, 1.435:1, 1.148:1, 0.935:1, 0.775:1
final drive	3.909:1
top speed	~281.6 kph / 175 mph
0 – 60 mph	~4.8 seconds
0 – 100 mph	~11.9 seconds
0 – 1/4 mile	~13.2 seconds
city fuel econ epa	19.60 L/100 km or 12 mpg-us
hwy fuel econ epa	12.38 L/100 km or 19 mpg-us