4.7L Aston V8 Vantage- Is it the Best Aston?
Forget the DBS. Seriously. Compared with that V-12-powered moviestarmobile, the 2009 Aston Martin V8 Vantage -- updated with a newly enlarged, more potent V-8 -- is easily as quick, lighter and nimbler, and arguably every bit as good-looking. Yet the Vantage sells for about half the price. That's the story in a nutshell: If you're shopping for an Aston, we've just saved you about $140K (we accept 10-percent honorariums for our services; please mail checks to "Those Americans at the Bar," c/o Grand Hotel du Cap-Ferrat). A larger question remains, though: Do you really want this Aston at all? The last time we tested a Vantage (April 2006 -- a head-to-head matchup against the Porsche 911 Carrera S), we praised its pizzazz but wanted more power from the 4.3-liter V-8 (rated at 380 horsepower). Aiming at Aston CEO Ulrich Bez, we asked, "Is there room to bore that baby out a couple mils, Dr. B?" Apparently, Dr. Bez heard our query -- and listened -- because the new V-8 gets those bored mils (and additional stroke, too): The 32-valve V-8 now displaces 4735 cc. Horsepower climbs to 420 at 7000 rpm, torque to 347 pound-feet at 5750 rpm (versus 302 at 5000). Also upgraded are the six-speed manual and Sportshift automanual transmissions; changes include a lighter clutch and flywheel (which also reduces pedal effort on the manual) and, on Sportshift, a smarter computer that automatically holds the selected gear if it detects cornering inputs at the steering wheel. Underneath, a newly available Sports Pack adds lightweight forged alloy wheels (19-inchers are now standard on all models) plus stiffer springs and shocks, trading some body roll and ride cushion for flatter cornering and quicker response. We ran two V8 Vantage test cars at the track, though not by choice. The first, seen here in the photos, carried the six-speed manual transmission. Around town and during a brisk mountain drive, the manual compiled a compelling case for itself, proving quick and precise as it sliced-off healthy servings of torque from the sizzling V-8 up front. Then, after a single warm-up run on the dragstrip, the shift lever suddenly fell limp. Apparently, says an Aston spokesperson, the linkage had somehow disconnected from the shifter. Bottom line: The car disappeared on a flatbed, never to return. Nonetheless, on its first run the Aston had clocked a 0-to-60-mph time of 4.1 seconds and a quarter mile of 12.5 seconds at 115.0 mph, easily bettering the 4.3-liter car's performance (5.2 seconds; 13.6 seconds at 105.8 mph) and even topping the times of the mighty, 520-horse DBS with six-speed automatic (4.2 seconds to 60 mph; 12.6 seconds at 112.3 mph in the quarter). And the Vantage hadn't even revealed its full potential. "Definitely could've gone quicker," said test driver Scott Mortara. "Probably under four seconds to 60." We'll never know. Unable to repair the broken transmission in time for this review, Aston instead served up another test car, this one equipped with a six-speed, dual-clutch, paddle-shift automanual. First, the bad news: Around town and in spirited driving, the auto-clutch transmission was no match for the full manual, proving both sluggish and clunky. And now the really bad news: The auto-clutch car wouldn't allow an aggressive track launch. Instead, it simply attempted to roast its clutch. Opting to spare the car from self-flagellation, we recorded no additional timed runs. Does the new Sports Pack pay handling dividends? Why, yes: The new Vantage circled our figure-eight course in 24.5 seconds at 0.79 average g, compared with 25.7 seconds at 0.72 g average for the outgoing car.
So, yes, in some ways Aston has upped its game. There's no denying the Vantage's rarity and beauty (lined up with the 911, it looks like a leopard next to an ostrich egg). Nor are there many engines on the planet whose exhaust note alone can convince you that $136,630 is an entirely reasonable sum to pay for an automobile. It's this timbre -- the V-8's nerve-chilling shriek above 4000 rpm -- that inspires the phrase "the sound of ripping silk." Of course, that's really just another hackneyed auto-journalism cliche. Besides, what the Vantage's V-8 really sounds like is a ripping silk-and-mohair blend.
But...You knew there'd be a "but," didn't you? Before you run out to buy the "discount" Aston Martin, consider these factors. The transmission woes aren't reassuring (in comparison, we've run Porsches all over the world without so much as a shifting hiccup). And then there are...the annoyances. The sport seats are so spine-unfriendly they should come with free massage coupons. The shift paddles, mounted on the column, are so small that with the wheel turned only slightly you have to move your hands to reach them. The flip-up nav screen shows only nav info; audio functions are relegated to a small LED display. The ignition key -- er, "Emotion Control Unit" -- looks impressive but it's no "smart key" (it can't open the doors automatically or start the engine from your pocket), and it's tricky to insert into the dash for a proper engine start. The...well, you get the idea.
Those in search of spectacular tailoring and engine fireworks will adore this new Aston Martin. Porsche, however, has not a thing to worry about.
| 2009 Aston Martin V8 Vantage | |
| Base Price | $120,850 |
| Price as tested | $136,630 |
| Vehicle layout | Front engine, RWD, 2-pass, 2-door coupe |
| Engine | 4.7L/420-hp/347-lb-ft DOHC 32-valve V-8 |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual |
| Curb weight (dist f/r) | 3606 lb (49/51%) |
| Wheelbase | 102.5 in |
| Length x width x height | 172.5 x 73.5 x 49.5 in |
| 0-60 mph | 4.1 sec |
| Quarter mile | 12.5 sec @ 115 mph |
| Braking, 60-0 mph | 111 ft |
| Motor Trend figure eight | 24.5 sec @ 0.79 g (avg) |
| Lateral acceleration | 0.97 g (avg) |
| EPA city/hwy fuel econ | 12/19 mpg |
| CO2 emmissions | 1.35 lb/mile |
| On sale in U.S. | Currently |
.
Posts
0 comments:
Post a Comment