Aston Martin’s unveils feisty V8 Vantage

The vaunted Second Century Plan of 105-year-old British luxury sportscar maker Aston Martin continues to roll in 2018 with the recent unveiling of the all-new Vantage here — a two-seater coupe that takes its place as the impressive entry point into the brand’s portfolio, and the second of the seven. The Second Century Plan is the automaker’s ambitious, aggressive effort to put out seven vehicles in seven years, bankrolled by an infusion of £700 million. Aston Martin is also growing its UK manufacturing facilities to meet the increased production demand.

First used on a “high-output engine option for the DB2” in 1951, the Vantage established itself as a separate nameplate. According to a company release, highlight models of the line “include the William Towns-designed V8 Vantage, the spectacular twin-supercharged V600 Le Mans and the much-loved V8 Vantage.”

Rumbling under the large hood of the newest iteration is a new four-liter, twin-turbo V8 delivering 503 hp at 6,000 rpm and 685 Nm from 2,000 to 5,000 rpm. Its dry weight of 1530 kg. gives the Vantage “formidable power-to-weight and torque-to-weight ratios.” One horsepower is expected to move only 7.4 lbs. in the car, and the driver can harness performance via an eight-speed automatic transmission which expresses power through the rear wheels. According to Aston Martin, the Vantage attains 60 mph from standstill in 3.5 seconds and boasts a top rate of 195 mph (314 kph).

The muscular, dynamic design of the Vantage, pushes aerodynamics to the forefront. A front splitter “directs airflow underneath the car, where a system of fences channels cooling air where it is needed, and also ensures the rear diffuser is fed with clean airflow.” Through the diffuser, an area of low pressure is created while preventing rear-wheel turbulence from disrupting the flow of air exiting centrally from beneath the rear of the car. Additionally, the company stresses that the “significant level of downforce” on the Vantage is a “rarity on a production car and a first for a core production Aston Martin model.”

(From left) Aston Martin Manila president Marc Tagle, marketing manager Karl Castillo and marketing associate Claudia Tagle.

Inside, the aggressive design paradigm is similarly applied. “Sharp, focused lines (denote) the more aggressive nature of the car. A high waist interior theme and lower driving position creates a more immersive driving experience, and contributes to significant gains in occupant space and significant improvement in headroom compared with the outgoing Vantage.”           

Rotary- and toggle-style controls are used, while the familiar PRND transmission buttons have been arranged in a triangular formation. There is room behind the seats for stowage, in addition to the trunk.

In an interview with STAR Motoring, Aston Martin Manila president Marc Tagle, who has driven the Vantage on a track in Japan, described the vehicle as “very aggressive, younger, more dynamic, and sprightly,” adding that the front mid-mounted engine “contributes to nice handling” of the Vantage — a “fun, good, value-for-money car.”

He credited Aston Martin CEO Dr. Andy Palmer for seeing to the distinct qualities of the various models in the portfolio. “They’re differentiating each model in both design and ride qualities,” underscored Tagle. “This signifies a new era in Aston Martin.” The executive revealed that the brand has been the leader in the high-end luxury automobile segment for the last two years.