Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Aston Martin Vantage


Another one of the vehicles to accompany us in the centenary celebration of Aston Martin is the Vantage. The name has been used on a variation of models since the mid 1970′s, the first one being hailed as “Britain’s First Supercar” for its 170mph top speed. Since its inception there has been quite a few models right up to today, where Aston Martin has shown their latest Vantage V12 S.
As I mentioned the first Vantage was well received in 1977. It shared an engine with the Lagonda, but it used high-performance camshafts, increased compression ratio, larger inlet valves and bigger carburettors mounted on new manifolds for increased output. Straight-line performance was the best of the day, with acceleration from 0–60 mph (97 km/h) in 5.3 seconds, one-tenth of a second quicker than the Ferrari Daytona.
The first series had 375 hp (280 kW), and series specific details such as a blanked bonnet vent and a separate rear spoiler. 38 of these were built. The Oscar India (for 1 October, the date of introduction) version, introduced in late 1978, featured an integrated tea-tray spoiler and smoother bonnet bulge. Inside, a black leather-covered dash replaced the previous walnut. The wooden dashboard did find its way back into the Vantage during the eighties, giving a more luxurious appearance. The Oscar India version also received a slight increase in power, to 390 hp (291 kW). This line was produced, with some running changes, until 1989. From 1986 the engine had 405 hp (302 kW).
The Vantage name had previously been used on a number of high-performance versions of Aston Martin cars, but this was a separate model. Although based on the Aston Martin V8, numerous detail changes added up to a unique driving experience. One of the most noticeable features was the closed-off bonnet bulge rather than the open scoop found on the normal V8. The grille area was also closed off, with twin driving lights inserted and a spoiler added to the boot lid.
The 1986–1989 580X was a performance package, with bigger carburettors and Nimrod racing-type heads, the same 437 hp (326 kW) V8 as fitted to the limited-edition V8 Zagato. 16-inch (406-mm) wheels were also now fitted. If this wasn’t enough, a 450 hp (336 kW) 6.3 litre version was also available from Aston Martin, and independents offered a 7 litre version.
304 Series 2 coupés were built, and 192 Volantes. Of the Cosmetic Vantage (for the US), 14 Series 2 coupés and 56 Volantes were built. Cosmetic Vantages were built for the United States market – they lacked the powerful Vantage engine but retained the Vantage name, and the look was changed with a flattened bonnet. From 1980 they featured DOT-approved 5 mph (8 km/h) safety bumpers front and rear. Most of these cars have since been retrofitted with full power, European specification engines.
A Vantage Volante convertible version was also produced, between 1986 and 1989. A few had been built earlier to special order, but it was not regularly available until then.
James Bond’s car (registered on 18 March 1985 as B549 WUU; last on the road 1 July 2006) in the 1987 film The Living Daylights.
At the beginning of the film, the car is a V8 Volante (convertible). The car used in these scenes was a Volante owned by Aston Martin Lagonda chairman, Victor Gauntlett. Later, the car is fitted with a hardtop at Q Branch, and these scenes feature a pair of non-Vantage V8 saloons, fitted with the same number plate as the initial car, but with Vantage badges now fitted to match the previous Vantage.
The name was kept to one side until the new range of Aston Martins appeared and so did the Vantage name. This was a V8 also, but very different to its predecessor.
The new Vantage, often referred to as “baby Aston” shares a slightly modified platform with the DB9 and the Vanquish and made a fantastic sports coupé to offer to the market at a more affordable price. As you can imagine that didn’t last very long and tuning at Aston Martin began and the cars became faster and more expensive (although still more affordable than the Vanquish and the DB9).
The most recent Vantage coupé is harnessing 420bhp and 470 nm of Torque making the 0-60 in just 4.7 seconds with a top speed of 180mph
And then when we thought we had it all, they came up with the latest Vantage, The V12 S.
In the words of Aston Martin; “The V12 Vantage was an unprecedented engineering achievement. Combining a V12 engine with our lightest sports-car in a package of pure aggression”.
The V12S is 15 kg lighter the V12, it has more than 620nm of Torque and 11% more power. All in all a very quick car with a top speed of 205 miles per hour!!! It marries extreme power with extreme design as well as aggresive styling to the front, roof and rear. All new interior as well as light forged alloys make this car exciting to look at as well as to drive.
The range is currently;
The Vantage, The Vantage S, The Vantage V12 S, Vantage Volante V12 Roadster and the Vantage SP10.

Vantage V12 S Video here.

Jeremy Clarkson drives the Vantage on Top Gear here.

Aston Martin Owners Club.

Aston Martin.

www.in2motorsports.com






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