100 Years of Aston Martin

[Snaeper]

Reminds me of the Stirling Moss Mercedes.

I was about to post exactly that.

Speedsters are inherently an awesome, yet rare, breed.

 

[Eunos_Cosmo]

Veritas:

(too big and overstyled for my tastes but still cool)

Elfin MS8

I'm a big fan of this one. Lotus 7 size, but far better aero and looks. Front end is a little busy though

Mazda MX-5 Superlite

I love speedsters.

One of my dream builds is a Suzuki Cappuccino or Porsche 914 speedster with rotary power.

 

[Pupik]

Didn't know it was 100, either. According to Wiki though, the first car didn't roll off the line til' 1915 due to WWI.

They also lose five years for creating the last version of the Lagonda.

 

[poolhaas]

So that's what was going on at the Nürburgring.

The whole lot was full at the end of the day.

 

[GTMail]

Holy crap. Zagato convertible, One-77, and DB5 all in one picture? You should post those in the DYSAGT thread!

 

[poolhaas]

I'm still getting through all of the photos, they'll be in the showroom thread in a few days

 

[05XR8]

That CC is awesome. Nothing beats a roadster.

 

[Cano]

Holy hell that speedster is beautiful. The tailights scream Zagato.

 

[AudiMan2011]

New 205 mph V12 Vantage S revealed.

Autocar
Aston Martin has redesigned and re-engineered the potent V12 Vantage to create the fastest regular production car in its history: the 205mph V12 Vantage S.

Among the changes are a revised look that incorporates features such as the front grille from the CC100 concept, a more powerful V12 engine with 565bhp, a seven-speed automated manual gearbox in place of the previous six-speed manual, adaptive dampers and a lower kerb weight.

Aston Martin’s product development chief, Ian Minards, said the changes “broaden the appeal of the V12 Vantage” and offer “more performance and more excitement” but also greater usability.

“I’ve never met anyone who didn’t like the V12 Vantage after driving it,” said Minards, “so we were already in a good place. But the fact that it was so focused meant it wasn’t for all tastes to begin with. We’ve responded to that by making the V12 Vantage S, a car with broadened appeal.”

The key to its greater breadth of ability is the addition of three driving modes: Normal, Sport and Track. Selecting one of these modes alters the firmness of the dampers, throttle response, gearshift speed and timing, exhaust note and steering assistance.

In Normal mode, Minards said, the V12 Vantage S becomes more usable and refined than the V8 Vantage S. In Sport mode, its dynamic attributes closely match the outgoing V12 Vantage’s. In Track mode, the performance of the V12 Vantage S goes beyond that of the V12 Vantage to create the hardest and fastest regular Aston yet made.

At the heart of the uprated Vantage is the latest, fifth-generation evolution of Aston Martin’s normally aspirated 5.9-litre V12, codenamed AM28. The main development for the AM28 over the fourth-generation AM11 unit used in the latest Vanquish, DB9 and Rapide S is a new Bosch engine-management system.

The power of the V12 Vantage S’s engine matches the 565bhp of the Vanquish, a 55bhp increase over the V12 Vantage. Torque is also increased to 457lb ft at 5750rpm, a 37lb ft gain. Low-rev torque is up by 52lb ft to 376lb ft at 1000rpm, the result of which is a flattened and fattened torque curve.

The V12 is mated to a seven-speed automated manual transmission, which has been taken from the V8 Vantage and given a longer final drive ratio to allow for the higher top speed. It is controlled by paddle shifters mounted on the steering wheel.

The adoption of this Sportshift III transmission, as Aston calls it, means the end for the six-speed manual in the V12 Vantage. Minards said the car needed to have two pedals instead of three “to make a business case” for it. Autos are far more popular in China and North America, the likely two biggest markets for the V12 Vantage S.

The Graziano-supplied seven-speed automated ’box is also 25kg lighter than the six-speed manual, and Minards said it was “better able to exploit” the engine’s potential than the old transmission, with “motorsport shift speeds”.

Final acceleration figures have yet to be revealed, but Aston expects the 0-62mph time to be less than 4.0sec. The top speed of 205mph is all but confirmed. The One-77 is the only Aston Martin road car to go faster, and that was a limited-run special.

Economy and CO2 figures are expected to improve over the V12 Vantage’s thanks to engine improvements, reduced weight and the new gearbox. Kerb weight is 1665kg, 15kg less than the V12 Vantage in standard specification (25kg has been taken out with the gearbox swap, but 10kg has been added elsewhere).

Bilstein supplies the three-stage adaptive damping technology. Its appearance on the V12 Vantage S marks the first time that adaptive dampers have been used on the Vantage. The spring rates are taken from the Vanquish.

Being able to select from Normal, Sport and Track modes means that “you don’t have to compromise low-speed refinement for high-speed ability”, said Minards.

The Servotronic steering system, with two levels of assistance, is another Vantage first. The two levels of assistance are linked to the adaptive dampers. Sport and Track modes add extra weight and a precision feel. “Having the two levels of feel makes it better and easier to drive in more situations,” said Minards.

Other developments include Brembo-supplied carbon-ceramic brakes adapted from the One-77’s, a Continental-supplied two-stage Dynamic Stability Control system that can be fully switched off and a smaller, lighter exhaust.

New 10-spoke lightweight alloy wheels can be added to save another 3.3kg, and they can be specified with standard P Zero Corsa dry-weather tyres or P Zero all-weather rubber as a no-cost option. Minards described the sum of all these changes as “altering the entire chassis recipe” of the V12 Vantage.

The most notable feature of the revised look, penned by Aston design director Marek Reichman, is the adoption of a new front grille. Inspired by the CC100 concept that appeared at the Nürburgring 24 Hours earlier this month, the new grille loses the distinctive aluminium vanes in favour of a carbonfibre frame with a dark background mesh that can be made out of carbonfibre or titanium. The grille is also wider to improve cooling.

Other design elements include more pronounced side strakes fashioned from carbonfibre, an optional exterior graphics pack that paints the roof and bootlid black, and a revised rear bumper that visually widens the car at the rear. The distinctive carbonfibre bonnet vents remain.

The interior has also been overhauled. “When you step inside, there is instantly a message that this is a special car,” said Reichman. Higher-quality carbonfibre, Alcantara and leather are among the materials featured. Lightweight sports seats can also be added to an interior that has special ‘S’ accents running throughout to reflect the car’s name.

Deliveries for the V12 Vantage S are scheduled for the end of the year, with prices sure to eclipse the £136,085 of the V12 Vantage that it replaces because of the enhanced specification.

 

[Beeblebrox237]

No manual? Don't want it. The Vanquish I can take with an auto because it's more of a GT, but part of the appeal of the V12 Vantage that makes it one of my favourite cars is the manual transmission. Sure, more power is good, but it isn't everything to me.

 

[Tornado]

A Berger panel? What is this, a V6 Camaro?

 

[poolhaas]

No manual? Don't want it. The Vanquish I can take with an auto because it's more of a GT, but part of the appeal of the V12 Vantage that makes it one of my favourite cars is the manual transmission. Sure, more power is good, but it isn't everything to me.

Would you buy one if there was a manual?
I could never afford one myself, so I don't care if it's auto only. I'm just hoping some rich people buy them so I can see those cars drive around

 

[McLaren]

No manual? Don't want it. The Vanquish I can take with an auto because it's more of a GT, but part of the appeal of the V12 Vantage that makes it one of my favourite cars is the manual transmission. Sure, more power is good, but it isn't everything to me.

Except they have sound reasoning behind it & power has nothing to do with it.

The adoption of this Sportshift III transmission, as Aston calls it, means the end for the six-speed manual in the V12 Vantage. Minards said the car needed to have two pedals instead of three “to make a business case” for it. Autos are far more popular in China and North America, the likely two biggest markets for the V12 Vantage S.

 

[AudiMan2011]

Except they have sound reasoning behind it & power has nothing to do with it.

Maybe they could do a stripped out, tightened up V12 Vantage RS with technology used from their GT3 race car.

 

[McLaren]

Maybe they could do a stripped out, tightened up V12 Vantage RS with technology used from their GT3 race car.

That would most likely end up with a paddle shift as well for the underlined part alone.

 

[AudiMan2011]

That would most likely end up with a paddle shift as well for the underlined part alone.

I suppose it would be a logical choice given that the 991 Porsche GT3 (and maybe GT3RS ) is PDK only.

 

[Beeblebrox237]

Would you buy one if there was a manual?
I could never afford one myself, so I don't care if it's auto only. I'm just hoping some rich people buy them so I can see those cars drive around

Good point. I hope to be able to own a V12 Vantage one day, but obviously it will have been bought by someone else first.

 

[RDF97]

In celebration of Aston's 100 years, the new Vanquish Volante has also been announced.

And Aston Marti have teamed up with Bosch to create this, the DB9 plug in hybrid. 740bhp up fvrom the standard 510bhp, 0-60 in less than 3.7 seconds and just as stunning to look at.

 

[ND4SPD]

A Berger panel? What is this, a V6 Camaro?

That made me laugh out loud... Hey, my Camaro has a berger panel. At least it's a V8 haha!

 

[AudiMan2011]

*Snip*

Vanquish Volante - I like it. A lot.

DB9 hybrid - Not so sure.

 

[RDF97]

Vanquish Volante - I like it. A lot.

DB9 hybrid - Not so sure.

It's more of an engineering milestone. It hasn't made production, yet.

 

[Beeblebrox237]

Vanquish Volante - I like it. A lot.

DB9 hybrid - Not so sure.

Agreed. THe idea of a DB9 hybrid is cool, but it means sacrificing that incredible V12.

 

[Giygas]

Agreed. THe idea of a DB9 hybrid is cool, but it means sacrificing that incredible V12.

The V12 is still there, the electric power is sent to the front wheels.

 

[SlipZtrEm]

I cannot believe how good-looking the Vanquish Volante is. I'm not normally one to prefer a convertible to a coupe - I never much warmed to the DBS, but still liked the tin-top more - but that is just awesome. I don't even care about the "still the same design language" critics, when it looks that good.

A four-wheel drive DB9 with as much power as the F12? It'd probably be interesting to drive, but I shudder to think about what it must weigh now.

 

[RDF97]

The V12 is still there, the electric power is sent to the front wheels.

I tried to tell you earlier but it will keep the V12(510bhp), and then the power goes up to 740bhp because of the electric motors. But the best thing is that the car will only run for about 15 miles(24km) on the electiric batteries alone, so most of the time you've driving off the V12! WIN, WIN, WIN!

 

[RDF97]

I cannot believe how good-looking the Vanquish Volante is. I'm not normally one to prefer a convertible to a coupe - I never much warmed to the DBS, but still liked the tin-top more - but that is just awesome. I don't even care about the "still the same design language" critics, when it looks that good.

A four-wheel drive DB9 with as much power as the F12? It'd probably be interesting to drive, but I shudder to think about what it must weigh now.

I've heard speculations that the handling has been iomproved and that it'll be faster than the standard DB9, 0-60mph(0-100km/h) in about 3.7 seconds. Biblical.

 

[AudiMan2011]

A four-wheel drive DB9 with as much power as the F12? It'd probably be interesting to drive, but I shudder to think about what it must weigh now.

I read on Autocar that the battery pack and electric drivetrain have added 300kg to the DB9's already lardy 1785kg kerbweight. So it'll weigh the naughty side of 2 tonnes.

Autocar
The modifications, which include an 180kW lithium-ion battery in addition to the three motors and control modules, add 300kg to the DB9’s 1785kg kerb weight. The motors also add more than 200bhp to the standard car’s 510bhp, and the hybrid DB9’s 0-62mph time of 4.6sec is said to be cut to around 4.0sec. An electric-only range of close to 20 miles improves overall fuel economy and reduces CO2 emissions.

 

[Giygas]

I read on Autocar that the battery pack and electric drivetrain have added 300kg to the DB9's already lardy 1785kg kerbweight. So it'll weigh the naughty side of 2 tonnes.

I think that's still lighter or about as heavy as its chief competitors.

 

[Beeblebrox237]

The V12 is still there, the electric power is sent to the front wheels.

Ah, well that changes things. I guess now my problem is that I prefer RWD. Still, I can't argue with 740 bhp.

 

[RocZX]

Zagato celebrates Aston Martin 100th anniversary with two models - Aston Martin DBS Coupe Zagato Centennial and DB9 Spyder Zagato Centennial