Aston Martin V8 Vantage

Vantage

Production Dates: October 1992 - April 1995

Launched at the Birmingham Motor Show in 1992, this was the second model to be given the name Vantage in its own right, rather than just an uprated version of a current product. The first was the AM Vantage, the Company Developments version of the DBS.

While this model did bear a passing resemblance to Virage, careful examination would have revealed many differences. The most obvious were external details, the only Virage panels were the door and roof skins.

The frontal aspect had obvious differences, two groups of three headlamps, each group behind a single heated lens while the grille over the opening above the bumper moulding had a unique appearence.

Reaction to the Vantage was predictably enthusiastic, and it certainly generated the right sort of publicity for Aston Martin, though it was the Volante version which was the mainstay of production at Newport Pagnell.

Specification

Engine: V8, 5340cc twin-OHC, four valves per cylinder, twin Eaton superchargers, 550bhp @ 6500rpm, 550Ib.ft @ 4000rpm
Bore/stroke: 1000mm x 85mm
Capacity: 5340cc
Power: 550bhp @ 6500prm
Fuel system: Bosch injection with EEC IV management
Gearbox: 6-speed ZF manual
Chassis: Steel platform
Suspension:
(Front) wishbones with coil springs and anti-roll bar.
(Rear) de Dion with coil springs, trailing arms and Watt linkage.
Brakes: Discs all around, ABS
Length: 5'7" (4745 mm)
Width: 6'4" (1924 mm)
Height: 4'5" (1330 mm)
Weight: 1920 kg
Wheelbase: 8'7" (2610 mm)
Top Speed: 186mph (229km/h)
Acceleration: 0-60mph 4.6 secs