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Found a car to complement the X...

Joined
4 June 2002
Messages
776
Location
Chicago, IL, USA
Does anybody think the Aston Martin AMV8 Vantage is NOT unbelievable. Just saw these recent pics of the car and was floored -- especially those taillamps. Write-up after the pics.

Now, if I could only have the patience to wait until 2005...

AMV8%20Back%20Left.jpg


AMV8%20Left%20Side%202.jpg


AMV8%20Taillamp%20Shot.jpg


AMV8%20Dash.jpg


Write-up:

Aston Martin has again reinforced the new direction the company is taking by unveiling a spectacular concept car that is destined to become the most significant model in the company’s 89-year history.

Previously codenamed AM305, the Aston Martin AMV8 Vantage is the basis for a smaller third Aston Martin model, due to be launched in 2005, and will sit alongside the DB7 and the flagship Vanquish. The AMV8 Vantage will be hand-assembled at Aston Martin’s state-of-the-art production facility at Gaydon, in the United Kingdom, which is currently under construction.

The name Vantage – which will also be adopted for the production version - was chosen due its long historic links with Aston Martin. This time it’s a specific model name rather than denoting a high performance version.

The AMV8 Vantage is a tailored two-seater sports car that retains a front mid-engine/rear-wheel drive layout. Its design work was undertaken by Henrik Fisker, Aston Martin’s Design Director, and his key objective was to produce a thoroughly modern Aston Martin. Another aim was to ensure that the interior layout and equipment were unique to Aston Martin and could be easily carried over into the production car.

There are also a number of traditional Aston Martin design cues which have been incorporated into the AMV8 Vantage’s styling such as the front grille shape and the typical side strakes found on all Aston Martin models.

Chassis and Body Structure


The AMV8 Vantage is the first model to use Aston Martin’s unique VH Platform Strategy (Vertical/Horizontal), which will form the basis for all future Aston Martin models.

“Much of the technology that has been developed from the Aston Martin Vanquish will be adopted for the production AMV8 Vantage,“ said Jeremy Main, Director of Product Development for Aston Martin. “It has a unique body and chassis constructed from aluminium and composites, AMV8 Vantage is a very advanced sports car offering high degrees of engineering efficiencies, structural integrity and torsional rigidity.”

Styling

Visually stunning, the look of AMV8 Vantage is very much of a modern Aston Martin. However, like all Aston Martin models there are subtle lines and embellishments that help create a powerful-looking sports car. In fact the design brief was to make the car look like a muscular athlete wearing a tailor-made suit.

From the exterior, AMV8 Vantage is striking and perfectly proportioned from every angle. Each carefully detailed feature provides graphic evidence of the painstaking craftsmanship and quality, which are synonymous with the Aston Martin marque. Adamant that AMV8 Vantage should not be a pastiche of retrospect design, Henrik Fisker created a pure, elegant and classic body that reflects the heritage and tradition of the Aston Martin brand.

The long bonnet (hood) and two-seater cabin create an instantly recognisable stance, while minimal front and rear overhangs, combined with a wide track, appear to push the rear wheels out and enhance the extremities of the bodywork.

“AMV8 Vantage features many of the design cues that have become the basic DNA for all Aston Martin models,” said Henrik Fisker. “It was important to ensure that the car’s design was pure, clean and modern, while at the same time you should be able to put your hand over the front nose badge and still recognise the car as an Aston Martin.”

Interior

One area that has received considerable development is the AMV8 Vantage’s cabin design. Great effort has been made to ensure that everything the driver and passenger touch is bespoke and Aston Martin unique. This is something also that will be carried over into the production car.

The AMV8 Vantage features a host of switch gears, which perhaps owe more to the styling cues of premium watch design and prestigious home entertainment systems than from car instrumentation. Finished in an imaginative combination of different leathers and anodised aluminium, customers will be offered an infinite choice of body colours and upholstery schemes as well as the option of being able to request different materials.

“From the outset, the look, feel and functionality of the interior was a key priority,” said Henrik Fisker. “Aston Martin is taking a new direction in its approach to design. We wanted to ensure the AMV8 Vantage reflected the new direction that Aston Martin is now taking – modern, advanced technology but above all Aston Martin design.”

Powertrain

The all new engine is a 4.3 litre, low emissions all alloy V8 which is unique to Aston Martin. This new V8 will use the latest technology to deliver outstanding performance in all environments.

The layout of the powertrain adopts a transaxle configuration, whereby the front mid-mounted engine is connected to the transmission - at the rear of the car - via a torque tube. This configuration provides the car with near perfect 50:50 weight distribution, outstanding handling characteristics and excellent all round capabilities.

Conclusion

While the production aspirations for the AMV8 Vantage is higher than any of the previous Aston Martin models, the car will still retain a high degree of exclusivity – an important characteristic of the British marque.

“The Aston Martin AMV8 Vantage will enable us to appeal to a larger market. Aston Martin will never ever become a volume car manufacturer, but this model will allow just a few more people to enjoy the Aston Martin experience,“ said Dr Ulrich Bez, CEO of Aston Martin. “The AMV8 Vantage is a really significant model for us as it will allow Aston Martin to become a true player in the global sports car market.”

Regards.

[This message has been edited by NSXaholic (edited 21 January 2003).]
 
Holy... WoW....,

I absolutely agree! That is one of the most beautiful cars!! Perhaps, you and I have a similar taste
wink.gif
.

I can't wait to see it in person. I hope that they don't change anything from that concept.
 
Put me in as person no.3 with the same kind of taste, that car is beautiful. I love the Aston Martin Vantage series. Those car are simply luxurious and aggressive looking. That is why I love it. I like to be comfortable but still ruff and masculin(sp?) looking. Good pics looks nice and clear.
 
Originally posted by steveny:
Reminds me of a Ferrari 550.

But the tail design is not as nice...to high up like on some honda accord coupes (the ones with NSX knock off lights..ever notice it was too up in the air?) that said the rear lights are pretty.

BUT the front promices traditional AM shark lines...a wonderful thing
smile.gif


------------------
Resident E38er

-97 NSX "Nina" #183
 
Reminds me of a Ferrari 550.

...and without the silly intake on the hood.
smile.gif



FAR OUT.... that's a NICE looking car... (and i only have eyes for the NSX!!!) Like the Vanquish, i hope they use this in the next James Bond film (due in 2005/6)
smile.gif


BUT... where's the front-on and 45' shot? it might have the ugliest nose ever (although i doubt it)

[This message has been edited by NeoNSX (edited 22 January 2003).]
 
That Austin Martin is absolutely gorgeous! I think it looks a little G35ish? Hope the engineers at Infinity/Nissan get good look at this Austin design b/f bringing the next Skyline here.
 
From the side it looks like a Toyota Supra. Knowing it an Aston Martin makes me want to get one. Hope it drives as good as it looks.
 
The car is nice, however that front end makes it look like it's talking to me....reminds me of a talking car on a cartoon I use to watch...


------------------
Richard
NSXTASY
 
I was inundated with a number of requests to provide high-resolutions pictures of the AMV8 after I posted this thread (despite the number of nice shots that JaguarXJ6 posted). I did not have any at the time. By way of update, SpeedyCars.net now has a number of 1600x1280 shots of the AMV8 in case you guys are interested. They make for beautiful wallpaper on a 19" LCD screen :D. Here is the direct link.

Regards.
 
While the car is still being slightly modified to ready it for a production run, the pictures you see are real, and as the AMV8 is currently envisioned. The last five pictures on the SpeedyCars.net link show the AMV8 being unveiled at a recent autoshow; these pictures is almost identical to the other photos. The recent pictures of the AMV8 in the latest version of Road & Track, where it is being tested on the road, make for the same conclusion.

Regards.
 
Veleno said:
The car is nice, however that front end makes it look like it's talking to me....reminds me of a talking car on a cartoon I use to watch...
Hahahaha!!!

It's a beautiful car. Anyone know about what the price will be or performance numbers?
 
Doesn't it seem a little silly that you would do most of your driving between the bottom 1/4 of the speedometer.. I much prefer the speedometer in the NSX.. this one is just silly..
 
I used to own a '01 Aston Martin Vantage Volante(Convertible) and truly thought it was the most beautiful car built(aside from the Coupe). As the case in the NSX, the Aston is a hand-built car and the fit and finish is excellent, but it stops there. Aston still has many quirks that you would expect in an exotic car(i.e. Ferrari) and was no match for the NSX in reliability. The Aston required significantly more maitenance(and $$$), but it was gorgeous to look at and a joy to take on the road. The Aston feels much more solid than the Jaguar XKR and I imagine the new Aston will drive superbly as well.
 
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NetViper said:
Doesn't it seem a little silly that you would do most of your driving between the bottom 1/4 of the speedometer.. I much prefer the speedometer in the NSX.. this one is just silly..

I think it would feel a little weird for the tachometer needle to swing counter-clockwise as well.
 
I once owned a pretty nice-looking British car myself. I'm perhaps a better mechanic as a result, but wouldn't even consider doing it again.

There are some things beauty just can't make up for.

- Richard
'93 Blk/Blk
1 EX British car
2 EX wives
 
stevefromatl said:
...It's a beautiful car. Anyone know about what the price will be or performance numbers?

Here are what the latest figures are:

Expected Launch Date:
-- Early '05 as an '06 model.

Expected Price:
-- $90K - $100K, in order to "compete with the Porsche 911" (although the base price for a 911 is actually in the mid-$60's, and even a nicely optioned 911 goes in the mid- to high-$70's).

Production Specs:
-- 3300 lbs.
-- 350bhp 4.3-liter V8
-- 49% Front / 51% Rear weight distribution.

stevefromatl said:
Doesn't it seem a little silly that you would do most of your driving between the bottom 1/4 of the speedometer...

While the dash looks gorgeous (gotta love that brushed aluminum look), I agree that driving with the speedometer at the bottom is a little silly. That plus the fact that you will have the tach (counter-clockwise) and speedometer (clockwise) dials moving in opposite directions -- very confusing!!

Regards.
 
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