Because the V8 Vantage was meant to be a pure sports car, Aston Martin's engineers focused on a lightweight and compact size, as well as agility and power.
The key dimensions of V8 Vantage would include a length of 4,383 mm on a 2,600-mm wheelbase, a width of 1,866 mm and a height of 1,255 mm, creating a curbweight of 1,570 kg.
Power for this new car comes from a quad-cam, 32-valve 4.3-litre engine that Jeremy Main, the product development director of Aston Martin, points out is unique to the marque. They share expertise within Ford's Premier Auto Group (PAG) organization, Main allows, ''but this design is totally new and not a shared engine. Every significant part of it is unique, from the specification of the cylinder block to the cylinder heads, crankshaft, connecting rods, pistons, camshafts, inlet and exhaust manifolds, lubrication system and engine management.''
Wherever it comes from, the aluminum-alloy V8 ''uses the latest technology to deliver outstanding performance in all environments.''
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 by a cast-aluminum torque tube and carbon fibre prop-shaft. Main says this configuration provides the car with a 49:51 weight distribution, ''giving outstanding handling characteristics and excellent all-round capabilities.''
To allow the engine to sit low in the body and thereby lower the centre of gravity to improve handling and the overall balance and stability of the car, Aston Martin used the dry-sump lubrication system that's often found in race cars. This system also helps to improve engine durability by maintaining lubrication under conditions of extreme cornering and braking.
''This is precisely the set-up you want in a sports car,'' Main says. ''It helps maximize all of the aspects that you need to create an outstanding sports car.''
Main says the bore and stroke dimensions were chosen ''to provide an excellent balance between outright power and torque, while a resonance induction system improves tractability and performance.''
The inlet camshaft timing is variable. resulting in improved low-end throttle response, mid-range torque and seamless power delivery.
Maximum horsepower is 380 at 7,000 rpm and maximum torque is 302 lb-ft at 5,000rpm.
The V8 Vantage will be initially offered with a six-speed manual transmission, Main advises, ''and other alternatives will be announced at a later date.''
Main says a great deal of time and effort was spent tuning the transmission so it ''has a smooth and fast shift action to ensure its ultra close ratios can be used to maximum effect.''
The V8 Vantage has endured the most extensive test and development program in the company's 91-year history, Bez claims, during which 78 prototypes were tested over more than two million km.
High speed testing was conducted at the Nardo test track in Italy and extensive testing was carried out at Nurburgring's Nordschleife in Germany, while cold weather testing was done in Sweden.
The V8 Vantage is the second model to use Aston Martin's unique Vertical Horizontal (VH) architecture, Bez explains. Constructed from lightweight aluminum extrusions, precision castings and pressings, the underframe is bonded with aerospace adhesives and mechanically fixed with self-piercing rivets.
Certain complex parts of the frame are precision die cast in aluminum; the door inner panels are cast magnesium and the windscreen surround is a one piece aluminum casting.
The key dimensions of V8 Vantage would include a length of 4,383 mm on a 2,600-mm wheelbase, a width of 1,866 mm and a height of 1,255 mm, creating a curbweight of 1,570 kg.
Power for this new car comes from a quad-cam, 32-valve 4.3-litre engine that Jeremy Main, the product development director of Aston Martin, points out is unique to the marque. They share expertise within Ford's Premier Auto Group (PAG) organization, Main allows, ''but this design is totally new and not a shared engine. Every significant part of it is unique, from the specification of the cylinder block to the cylinder heads, crankshaft, connecting rods, pistons, camshafts, inlet and exhaust manifolds, lubrication system and engine management.''
Wherever it comes from, the aluminum-alloy V8 ''uses the latest technology to deliver outstanding performance in all environments.''
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 by a cast-aluminum torque tube and carbon fibre prop-shaft. Main says this configuration provides the car with a 49:51 weight distribution, ''giving outstanding handling characteristics and excellent all-round capabilities.''
To allow the engine to sit low in the body and thereby lower the centre of gravity to improve handling and the overall balance and stability of the car, Aston Martin used the dry-sump lubrication system that's often found in race cars. This system also helps to improve engine durability by maintaining lubrication under conditions of extreme cornering and braking.
''This is precisely the set-up you want in a sports car,'' Main says. ''It helps maximize all of the aspects that you need to create an outstanding sports car.''
Main says the bore and stroke dimensions were chosen ''to provide an excellent balance between outright power and torque, while a resonance induction system improves tractability and performance.''
The inlet camshaft timing is variable. resulting in improved low-end throttle response, mid-range torque and seamless power delivery.
Maximum horsepower is 380 at 7,000 rpm and maximum torque is 302 lb-ft at 5,000rpm.
The V8 Vantage will be initially offered with a six-speed manual transmission, Main advises, ''and other alternatives will be announced at a later date.''
Main says a great deal of time and effort was spent tuning the transmission so it ''has a smooth and fast shift action to ensure its ultra close ratios can be used to maximum effect.''
The V8 Vantage has endured the most extensive test and development program in the company's 91-year history, Bez claims, during which 78 prototypes were tested over more than two million km.
High speed testing was conducted at the Nardo test track in Italy and extensive testing was carried out at Nurburgring's Nordschleife in Germany, while cold weather testing was done in Sweden.
The V8 Vantage is the second model to use Aston Martin's unique Vertical Horizontal (VH) architecture, Bez explains. Constructed from lightweight aluminum extrusions, precision castings and pressings, the underframe is bonded with aerospace adhesives and mechanically fixed with self-piercing rivets.
Certain complex parts of the frame are precision die cast in aluminum; the door inner panels are cast magnesium and the windscreen surround is a one piece aluminum casting.