Next-Gen 2018 Aston Martin Vantage unwrapped

Aston Martin has unwrapped the new generation Vantage, the British sports car maker’s most important model which will go on sale in Australia next July.

Sporting totally new sheetmetal, the new Vantage boasts sculptural forms highlighted by short front and rear overhangs, muscular flanks and broad haunches. New head and tail lights form dramatic new signatures giving the Vantage more road presence.

Aerodynamic performance was central to the Vantage design concept: the 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. The design of the diffuser creates an area of low pressure air, while simultaneously preventing turbulence generated by the rear wheels from disrupting the flow of air exiting centrally from beneath the rear of the car.

Together with the new side gills, which have been integrated into the body surface and bleed air pressure out from the front wheel arches, and the pronounced upswept rear deck lid, the Vantage generates a significant level of downforce.

The design story continues inside the Vantage, with a dynamic and focused sports car cockpit that rejects long, fluid curves in favour of sharp, focused lines denoting the more aggressive nature of the car.

The heart of the Vantage is Aston Martin’s potent new alloy, 4-litre twin-turbo V8 engine.  Set low and as far back in the chassis as possible for optimal centre-of-gravity and perfect 50:50 weight distribution, this new mill develops 510PS (375kW) at 6000rpm and 685Nm from 2000-5000rpm.

Matched with a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission and hauling a dry weight of 1530kg, the new Vantage sprints from 0 to 60mph (96km/h) in 3.5 seconds and on to a maximum speed of 195mph (313km/h).

For the first time on an Aston Martin the new Vantage features an Electronic Rear Differential (E-Diff). This differential is linked to the car’s electronic stability control system, so it can understand the car’s behaviour, and react accordingly to direct the engine’s power to the relevant wheel. Unlike a conventional LSD, it can go from fully open to 100% locked in a matter of milliseconds.

The chassis is an evolution of the latest generation bonded aluminium structure first seen on the DB11, though some 70 per cent of the structure’s components are new for Vantage. Highlights of the chassis include a solidly mounted rear subframe for an enhanced feeling of direct connection for the driver, new Pirelli P Zero tyres developed specifically for new Vantage and the latest generation Adaptive Damping System which incorporates Skyhook technology and offers the choice of Sport, Sport Plus and Track modes.

Equipment wise, the Vantage features keyless start/stop, tyre pressure monitoring system, parking distance display, park assist and front and rear parking sensors. The In-Car Entertainment system – controlled and viewed via a centrally mounted 8” LCD screen – comprises of the Aston Martin Audio System with Bluetooth and integrated satellite navigation.

The new Vantage is on sale now with a recommended retail price from £120,900 in the UK, €154,000 in Germany and $149,995 in the USA. Deliveries are scheduled to begin during the second quarter of 2018.

Pricing and specification for Australia will be announced closer to local launch.