Vantage makes vroom for improvement

Aston Martin has tweaked its V8 Vantage to up the already impressive 283 kW developed by the current powerplant. This is the first change made to the Vantage since the first deliveries were made in 2005.

The main update comprises an additional 0,4-litres of displacement, which pushes the longitudinal V8 into 4,7-litre territory. The maximum power output is now 313 kW and peak torque is up 60 N.m to 470 N.m. According to Aston martin, the modifications allow the V8 Vantage to crack the zero to 100 km/h run in just under five seconds, and reach a top speed of 290 km/h. Aston Martin also claims that the revised Sportshift transmission, amongst other efficiency measures, improves the fuel economy and CO2 emissions by 13 percent.

The cabin of the Vantage also sees a bit of an upgrade, with a revised centre console, while a new ECU replaces the previous model’s “V8 Vantage” key. This ECU is the same unit that made its debut in the 2007 DBS. Other new features include a hard disk-based navigation system with iPod and MP3 compatibility.

When CAR drove the current Vantage in December 2006, the testers said that it “manages to look right from every angle, “ and that “proportionally, the design is probably perfect”. So it’s good to see that the exterior of this vehicle remains somewhat untouched with new 19-inch wheels being the only noticeable change.