Aston Martin Vantage: What we know so far

The all-new generation Aston Martin Vantage will be unveiled today. The baby Aston will follow a new design language and pack an all-new engine. Ahead of the official reveal, here is everything we know about the sports car from the Gaydon-based carmaker.  

New design:

The new Vantage will take its design cues from James Bond’s DB10. It was speculated that the inspiration will come from Aston’s flagship, the DB11. But it has been confirmed by the slew of spy shots and the leaked patent images that the headlights and the silhouette will resemble the DB10 Concept. The Vantage will sport Aston Martin’s newly adopted grille which was first seen in the Vulcan. It will be complemented by some aggressive lip-splitters. The fender on the Vantage will be similar to the DB11’s and is expected to make its way to all future Aston Martins.  Meanwhile, at the rear, the lip spoiler will be complemented by a strip of sleek tail lights akin to the current generation Vanquish. The Vanquish inspiration continues on the rear windscreen as well. Also new is the prominent rear diffusers with integrated exhaust tips.

Powertrain:

The new Vantage will be the second vehicle to benefit from Aston Martin’s partnership with Mercedes-AMG, after the DB11 V8. The same 4.0-litre twin turbo V8 built by Mercedes-AMG for the AMG GT lineup will be reworked by Aston Martin. The power output is expected to be around 500 bhp and 685Nm of torque with a 0-100kmph time of around four seconds. Aston Martin is expected to offer the new Vantage with a choice of either a six-speed manual or a dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Lightweight:

The two-door sports car reportedly weighs just 1530 kilograms. The wheelbase is shortened by 100mm. The VP (verification prototype) test mule of the Vantage driven around the Rockingham Motor Speedway by Formula 1 driver Max Verstappen seemed quite tail-happy. The V8 burble of the Vantage sounds amazing in our spy video being tested on the notorious Nurburgring. 

Other variants:

Aston Martin Racing will also reveal a high-performance GTE variant of the new Vantage alongside the road-going model. The Vantage GTE will promptly enter racing in the 2018 WEC season opener in May next year. It will wear all the aerodynamic essentials according to the GTE category.

The standard Vantage will surely receive a V12 version apart from a Volante (convertible) in a couple of years’ time. An AMR version is also in the pipeline to replace the outgoing model. Following the launch of the V8 Vantage, the British sports coupe will enter the fray with the likes of Jaguar F-Type, Porsche 911 and Mercedes-AMG GT.