Aston Martin Vantage 4.7 V8

What‘s it? Well, it certainly isn’t a facelift, because despite considerable under-the-skin modifications, the exterior from the Aston Martin V8 Vantage is left unaltered aside from a brand new wheel design. The large news in what Aston is calling a “technical enhancement” – an enlargement from the V8 from 4. 3 to 4. 7 litres, with power rising to 420bhp (up 11 per cent ) and torque to 347lb ft (up 15 per cent ). The chassis is tweaked, using the coupé inheriting the improved components and stiffer spring rates already fitted towards the roadster, and Bilstein dampers are now standard. And there’s now the choice of the Sports Pack (lighter wheels, firmer springs and retuned dampers ), available on both roadster and coupé, and it’s a manual coupé using this fitted that’s tested here. The interior has got the same tidier but nonetheless fiddly fascia coming from the DB9 and DBS, with it the ‘Emotion Control Unit’ key replacement. What’s it like? First impressions aren‘t good. As the gearchange has certainly improved because the initial cars and there’s now a lighter clutch, the V8 Vantage remains a physical car to thread through traffic, more so using the Sports Pack’s stiffer springs adding a firmness towards the low-speed ride. And although additional power is noticeable at low revs, I‘d been expecting more. The disappointment persists until I discover a road to the center of nowhere and discover that whenever wound past 3500rpm the Vantage reacts more keenly within your right foot and gains momentum with increased urgency. Officially 0. 2sec is shaved coming from the 0-60mph time, but subjectively the in-gear performance feels stronger still. The noise varies too – slightly quieter and just a little less shrill, the a result of the exhaust bypass value less polar but overall no less satisfying. Less effect and much more substance, I’d say. To really appreciate the engine enhancements the Vantage needs just a little commitment from its driver, and it’s an identical story using the chassis. Driven at five-tenths, the V8 feels much like the initial, only better damped, but it’s whenever you, or an open road, start making tougher demands the improvements shine. Using the £2500 Sports Pack fitted, the Vantage grips harder and also the front and rear axles now work more harmoniously. Being front-engined and rear-wheel drive, the Vantage still requires a classic ‘slow in, fast out’ approach, however the front end can now be leant on more reliably and also the extra poke exploited. Body control is likewise improved, now bordering on excellent, effectively keeping bodywork and tarmac separate without adversely affecting comfort. Should I buy one? If you’ve always been tempted from the Vantage but wished it hit a little harder, well, now it will. Given current economic worries and also the raft of competitor activity, Aston has wisely resisted the temptation to make use of this refresh to jack up prices, the coupé rising just £2000. Aston’s revisions to the Vantage are removed from glaring – it will take time and also a decent drive to fully reveal them – but invest this and you’ll discover a car that preserves the character of the initial, but adds polish where it was eventually needed. Better still, the alterations are as cohesive as they‘re individually effective. The last reckoning comes at the conclusion of long drive. Before, you’d want more coming from the car ; now you only want additional time by it. Jamie Corstorphine Aston Martin Vantage 4. 7 V8