The Aston Martin Vantage is getting rather long in the tooth, so the good people at Aston have provided their entry-level Vantage V8 with the “most comprehensive programme of performance enhancements since 2008″.
And just in time for the 2012 Geneva Motor Show in March.
That means the baby supercar (both coupe and convertible) will get all the good bits from the Vantage S including quicker steering, bigger brakes and wider tyres.
Throw in a few styling tweaks and the junior supercar should be both better looking and sharper to drive.
The Changes
Styling changes for the refurbished V8 Vantage are inspired by the Vantage S and the limited-edition Vantage N420.
It gets a body kit taken from the Vantage S. That means restyled;
- Lower Front Bumper
- Front Air Splitter
- Larger Front Air Intake
- Side Sills
- Rear Bumper With Integrated Rear Diffuser
The end result manages to keep the design looking fresh and desirable.
The Engine And Transmission
Under the bonnet the same 4.7-litre V8 engine provides the same 420bhp and 346 lb ft of torque (good for 62 mph in 4.8 seconds).
The standard six-speed manual gearbox also remains.
But if you prefer an automatic gearbox, the older, jerkier six-speed Soprtshift has been replaced by the newer, better, optional seven-speed Sportshift II transmission from the Vantage S.
It’s quicker, smoother and provides better fuel economy thanks to a longer final drive ratio.
The Steering And Braking
A new steering column, revalved power steering and a quicker ratio of 15:1 (down from 17:1) should make the steering more direct while providing greater feedback.
The brakes should also provide more bite thanks to tyres which are 10 mm wider and new 380mm ventilated cast-iron front discs from the Vantage S.
The end result, according to engineers at Aston is “significantly increased stopping power and pedal feel”.
And finally, the V8 now provides a brake-holding Hill Start Assist as standard to prevent any embarrassing moments.
But despite all these changes, the price for the newly refreshed Vantage V8 Coupe has dropped from £90,895 to £84,995.
Good news, unless you’ve just paid six thousand more for a car without the updates.
The Vantage S
Moving up the range, the 430bhp Vantage S is also better value thanks to more kit for less money.
While the price falls from £102,500 to £99,995 it gains the following equipment as standard;
- Seven-Speed Sportshift II Automatic Transmission
- Sports Exhaust
- Aerodynamic Styling Package
- Upgraded Hand-Stitched Leather Interior
- Integrated Garmin Sat Nav
- Cruise Control
- Bluetooth
Meanwhile, the 510bhp V12 Vantage remains unchanged.
And as it’s technically part of the Vantage range, Aston Martin has taken the opportunity to remind us about the limited edition £396,000 V12 Zagato which is due to arrive later this year.
Just 150 will be made and more than 50 have been sold already, so there’s still time.
But getting back to the more mundane end of the Vantage range, let’s have your opinions on the 2012 spruce up.
Do the changes make a good thing better, or are you bored with a model that’s a decade old?
