Aston Martin updates the V8 Vantage for 2010

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Filed under: Convertible (http://www.autoblog.com/category/convertibles/), Coupe (http://www.autoblog.com/category/coupes/), Performance (http://www.autoblog.com/category/sports/), Aston Martin (http://www.autoblog.com/category/aston-martin/)

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/12/2010-aston-vantage.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/gallery/2010-aston-martin-v8-vantage/)
2010 Aston Martin V8 Vantage - Click above for high-res image gallery


Reports from the British Isles and a new batch of images from the manufacturer indicate that Aston Martin (http://www.autoblog.com/make/aston-martin/) has quietly prepared a few minor revisions for its entry-level V8 Vantage (http://www.autoblog.com/model/v8+vantage) for the 2010 model year.

Among those changes are clear tail lamps (like those on the V12 version (http://www.autoblog.com/tag/v12+vantage)), side sills borrowed from the N400 edition (http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/15/la-2007-aston-martin-n400-roadster-just-as-orange-as-coupe/) and "magnum silver" mesh for the hood and side vents. There will also be some new optional equipment, including the ten-spoke, 19-inch forged, diamond-turned alloys pictured on the car above, carbon-Kevlar seats that trim 17kg off the curb weight, and a 1000-watt Bang & Olufsen stereo (http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/15/aston-martin-gets-the-bang-and-olufsen-treatment/).

Along with the mild visual upgrades and the new optional equipment, Aston has cut the V8 engine's carbon emissions, the manual-equipped model dropping from 328 g/km to 315 g/km, and the Sportshift model dropping to 300 g/km. The changes are applied equally to the coupe and Roadster, with order books reportedly open now with deliveries beginning early in the new year. Check out the updated model in our high-resolution image gallery below.


Gallery: 2010 Aston Martin V8 Vantage (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2010-aston-martin-v8-vantage/low/)

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/12/01-aston2010vantage_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2010-aston-martin-v8-vantage/low/)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/12/02-aston2010vantage_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2010-aston-martin-v8-vantage/low/)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/12/07-aston2010vantage_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2010-aston-martin-v8-vantage/low/)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/12/08-aston2010vantage_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2010-aston-martin-v8-vantage/low/)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/12/11-aston2010vantage_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2010-aston-martin-v8-vantage/low/)

[Source: Aston Martin via CAR magazine (http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/Secret-new-cars/Search-Results/Spyshots/Aston-Martin-to-spruce-up-Vantage-range-for-2010/)]Aston Martin updates the V8 Vantage for 2010 (http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/11/aston-martin-updates-the-v8-vantage-for-2010/) originally appeared on Autoblog (http://www.autoblog.com) on Fri, 11 Dec 2009 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds (http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/).



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[hfh330i]

Why anyone would drive a P-car when they could have this...just stunning.

[TD]

Why anyone would drive a P-car when they could have this...just stunning.
Um, there is a minor price difference.

[equ]

Why anyone would drive a P-car when they could have this...just stunning.

If I had a $100k in my pocket ready to burn on a car, I'd certainly consider it. But here are a few reasons why I'm not so into them to begin with:
- Build quality
- Real world durability (for those of us who actually want to DRIVE the thing)
- Visibility, nimbleness, general sportiness

I dug up a 2009 vantage review, no picking, really the first credible google hit. Some excerpts:

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.

.............

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.

Read more: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/coupes/112_0904_2009_aston_martin_v8_vantage_test/sports_pack_performance.html#ixzz0ZPK5IqLq

[equ]

Final part of that review (funny that I had not even searched for a porsche comparison):

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.

[hfh330i]

Um, there is a minor price difference.

I don't think anyone would cross shop a base Carrara and a Vantage. W/ 150K budget I'd buy the Aston.

[hfh330i]

If I had a $100k in my pocket ready to burn on a car, I'd certainly consider it. But here are a few reasons why I'm not so into them to begin with:
- Build quality
- Real world durability (for those of us who actually want to DRIVE the thing)
- Visibility, nimbleness, general sportiness

I dug up a 2009 vantage review, no picking, really the first credible google hit. Some excerpts:

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.

.............

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.

Read more: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/coupes/112_0904_2009_aston_martin_v8_vantage_test/sports_pack_performance.html#ixzz0ZPK5IqLq


British cars...character baby!

[RMR]

Why anyone would drive a P-car when they could have this...just stunning.

Build quality is/was a major issue with Aston Martin. My dad had a 1997 DB7 for 7 years and it was in the shop constantly. The electrical system on the car was a nightmare. I know Aston Martin models today are much different from the Aston Martins of the 90s but still. I personally would take a high end 911 over one of these in a heartbeat. Aston's look great but over the long term they are a fucking mess to keep running.