We have just told you about recently revealed Red Bull special edition of Vantage model, and despite being an interesting offer, we also noted that current model is in production from 2005, or insultingly long. In 2012 we had the revival of Vanquish and last year DB9 was replaced by new DB11. Inevitably only extremely dated model within lineup is Vantage, and that is about to change as 2018 Aston Martin Vantage is on the way.
SPY PHOTOS
First, we had photos showing current version being tested at the Nurburgring, but carrying new model stuff under the skin for the purpose of testing. Later we had spy images of the heavily camouflaged car again tested at Nurburgring, that is not all as the same car tested on public roads. Finally, we have a round of shots showing less masked car in public, revealing much more about itself.
2018 Aston Martin Vantage LOOKS
According to photos, new 2018 Aston Martin Vantage is going to lean heavily on DB11 appearance. We obviously have borrowed head lights, long hood, and pointing nose. Grille and front bumper don’t tell us anything yet, but it shouldn’t go far from usual Aston’s one. Rear end looks again copied from the bigger brother, with same taillights and overall shape. Finally, the cabin is same also, but we will still see if this is actual production version or it just uses DB11 bits in this phase of testing.
DB11 is gorgeous, and there is no doubt about that, but making Vantage just a shorter version of it is not a good move as it should carry some of its own character, as it does right now.
ENGINE STUFF
Aston Martin has nice things happening under the hood of current Vantage model. We don’t have anything against naturally aspired V8 and V12 engines, we actually praise those, but British were quite sluggish updating it over the years, as they appear as underachievers compared to rivals that were evolving in the mean time. That is about to change with new Vantage, that will benefit from cooperation with Mercedes, which inevitably brings Aston to modern times.
Expect the same 4.0-liter twin turbo V8 from AMG GT model and a minimum of 456 hp. Traditionally that will cover V8 part, so we should get a new V12 to cover the top of the line part. Current naturally fed 5.9-liter V12, that was also used in DB9, will make a place for new twin-turbo 5.2-liter V12 debuted in DB11, boosting 608 hp in its case. We would all definitely miss the incredible sound and linear power development from old units, but British car maker has to stand in line with more potent figures if they are about to taken seriously in these times.
2018 Aston Martin Vantage REST OF THE THINGS
Rest that we know is that evidently, new Vantage is going to benefit from the new DB11 platform, shortened off course in this case. New platform leans heavily on aluminum, so it will be lighter, faster, more nimble, and we should expect it to be stiffer too, despite the fact the dimensions will grow. Also, the whole architecture will use Merc ideas, which is more than welcomed since Aston was always lagging behind in terms of technology.
One more important fact is the statement issued by CEO Andy Palmer which confirmed that manual transmission remains, contrary to recent trends, so if switching to turbo technology bothers you, this should at least alleviate part of the sorrow. Price is expected to stay in the area of current $125,000. For anything further, let’s wait for Frankfurt Motor Show as maybe that is the moment when 2018 Aston Martin Vantage is going to be presented to the public.
