A Twin-Turbo V8 Moves the Totally Menacing New Aston Martin Vantage to 195 MPH

It’s a green monster.

Dan Carney

Nov 22, 2017

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The Vantage is Aston Martin‘s critical mainstream model, and the car’s current edition is the best-selling model in Aston’s history, so an all-new replacement for this vital car is crucial to the company’s future.

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Fortunately, it looks like the all-new Vantage will succeed in all the expected areas. Yep, there is the muscular sheetmetal that any would-be James Bond will need for street credibility. And there is a 503 hp, 505 lb.-ft. 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 beneath the Vantage’s “bonnet” to cash the checks its styling writes.

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That means a 195 MPH top speed and 3.6-second 0-60 MPH acceleration.

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The engine is the same Mercedes-Benz-sourced unit seen previously in the DB11 V8, migrating Aston away from the Ford-based V8s used until now. The company continues to build its own signature V12 engines, as before, though we’ll have to wait for an official announcement of a new Vantage V12.

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Aston mounts that engine behind the front axle and connects it to a rear-mounted ZF 8-speed automatic transmission with a carbon fiber driveshaft. This is the same arrangement as the Corvette, and it produces a perfect 50/50 front/rear weight balance.

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The new Vantage’s sculpted bodywork and underbody aerodynamic devices such as the front splitter and rear diffuser produce actual downforce at high speed without any unsightly add-on appendages. This is unusual for a car without a rear wing and a first for an Aston Martin production model, as most cars aim to reduce lift rather than actually produce traction-enhancing downforce.

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A ducktail flip on the rear decklid and functional air extractors in the front fenders contribute to the Vantage’s precise air flow management.

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Naturally, the Vantage rolls on dubs, with 20-inch wheels front and rear, with Pirelli P Zero tires and gigantic 15.75-inch front brake rotors and 14.2-inch rears.

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Inside, Vantage buyers can choose from either Caithness or Balmoral leather upholstery, with a carbon fiber steering wheel and carbon fiber cabin trim.

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The Hi-Liter fluorescent green (“Lime Essence,” technically) exterior finish is eye-catching, but it is not the only available color, for those of us who would prefer to not phone the police of our presence ahead of time.

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“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,” said Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer. “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.”