2006 Aston Martin V8 Vantage

[57JagXKSS]

It uses Jaguar 4.2 V-8, but the cylinder block, cylinder heads, crankshaft, connecting rods, pistons, camshafts, inlet and exhaust manifolds, lubrication system and engine management are all unique to the 4.3 V-8 used in the new Aston. It also has dry-sump lubrication.

Information and pictures:

http://seriouswheels.com/top-2006-As...V8-Vantage.htm

[57JagXKSS]

I sure hope yellow isn't offered for the new Aston Martin.

Here is the official brochure

http://www.astonmartin.com/content/a...e57c10e711.pdf

[57JagXKSS]

"The V8 Vantage has endured the most extensive test and development programme in the Company’s 91 year history during which 78 Prototypes were vigorously tested more than 1½ million miles. In Dubai over 12,000 miles of testing was carried out where ambient temperatures regularly hit 48ºc and the bodywork of the cars reached 87ºc.

High speed testing was conducted at the Nardo test track in Italy and extensive testing was carried out at Nurburgring’s Nordschleife in Germany, and cold weather testing in temperatures as low as -30ºc was undertaken in Sweden."

Henrik Fisker was Aston Martin's Director of Design from 2001 to 2004. Three must-read articles about Aston Martin and Henrik Fisker.

http://www.motorsportscenter.com/article_491.shtml

http://www.motorsportscenter.com/article_492.shtml

http://www.motorsportscenter.com/article_493.shtml

[57JagXKSS]

from autoweek.com 7-21-2004

Aston Martin will avoid electronic gadgets that insulate owners from the driving experience, says Henrik Fisker, chief designer for Aston Martin.

Electronics such as BMW's iDrive and an over-reliance on traction control systems have taken the joy out of driving, he told the Motor Press Guild here last month.

Fisker also blasted some automakers for using so much protective plastic and coatings on interior wood and leather "that you can't tell if it is real or fake."

Fisker said he is amazed people will pay top-dollar for high-end stainless steel fixtures in their kitchens but settle for cheap plastic knobs in their luxury cars.

"We don't want just injection-molded plastic with graphics and a chrome ring around it," Fisker said. "Anyone can do that for two dollars. Even Hyundai does it."

Instead, Aston Martin will use personal craftsmanship to assemble crucial interior elements, such as the seats. While that may mean more irregular stitching compared with a robot-assembled piece, Fisker compared it to a high-end handbag, for which people pay more for a handcrafted item.

As for the leather, Fisker wants to use more supple textures with less plastic protection. That means the seats will wear to the occupants' contours, like a good pair of shoes. But that also means, "If you spill ice cream on the seat, you can't wait two days to clean it off, because it will stain," Fisker said.

Similarly, Fisker said, "Our wood will age with the car, because real wood ages."

In examining the invasion of electronic gadgetry into luxury cars, Fisker said: "What do people expect from a car? We don't want to drive and send an e-mail at the same time. We need to focus on what enhances the driving experience. It should feel like an occasion. The car should drive perfectly without electronics."

Fisker added that Aston Martin would have electronic features where appropriate, such as backup warning sensors.

When asked why Aston Martins loaded with gadgetry are driven in James Bond movies, Fisker curtly replied, "We don't build cars for James Bond. He picks them and decides to put gadgets in them."

[Jaguar D-Type]

Jaguar's V-8 first came out with 4.0 liters in the 1997 XK8. It was heavily revised a couple years ago (now with 4.2 liters).

check the link

http://www.jagweb.com/aj6eng/v8_performance.html

[Jaguar D-Type]

Yellow is a bad color for a classy car like an Aston Martin.

[Jaguar D-Type]

check here for a video of the V8 Vantage from last fall

cool video

[Jaguar D-Type]

[Jaguar D-Type]

[Luetic]

WOW, those are awesome! Where did you get "real" pictures?

Thank you!

[Jaguar D-Type]

Car web sites and forums.

[Jaguar D-Type]

[Jaguar D-Type]

Aston Martin ran the 4.3 liter V-8 three times longer on the dyno than the DB9’s V-12. The V-8's dry-sump lubrication system lowers the engine such that the crank balancers rotate four inches above the ground.

Its frame is a mix of extruded aluminum box sections, stamped floorpans and precision castings at key points like suspension attachments. The windshield header is a single aluminum casting, the door frames are magnesium. Everything is hot- or cold-bonded, aerospace style, with minimal application of self-piercing rivets and no conventional structural welds. Glue, the company says, allows cleaner production processes and better vibration-dampening properties than conventional welding.

The V8 Vantage is suspended with aluminum double wishbones and coil-over shocks front and rear. Even the shock casings are aluminum.

[CaptainBennett]

Originally Posted by Jaguar D-Type

gorgeous...wow!

[Jaguar D-Type]