Vantage [Spy Shots] 2018 Aston Martin Vantage

[Deleted member 1071]

Appeasement for certain visual misgivings witnessed on the DB 11, or so it seems. And the most recent photographs of Vanquish mules with the DB 11-derived (but sooo much better with the wider, far more "beefy" stance) bodies are looking very promising indeed.

 

[sako97]

I doubt it.

2019 Aston Martin Vantage Spied With ZF 8-Speed Automatic Transmission

Designed by Henrik Fisker and more of a sports car than the grand touring-oriented DB9, the Vantage introduced at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show is drop-dead gorgeous, even by today's standards. But after 12 years in production, the V8-powered Vantage will have to make way for an all-new model.

34 photos

As you know from the teaser images released by Aston Martin in the past couple of weeks, the newcomer will be revealed in all its glory later this month. Deliveries are most likely to start in the first quarter of 2018, with the U.S expected to get the Vantage for the 2019 model year. So, what’s up?

For starters, the 2019 Aston Martin V8 Vantage is bite-the-back-of-your-hand beautiful. The proportions, the DB10- and Vulcan-inspired styling, the full-width taillights, there’s a lot to like about the entry-level model. And speaking of entry-level, Aston Martin will shoehorn the Mercedes-AMG 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 under the hood of the V8 Vantage. As you can tell from the newest set of spy photos, ZF's 8-speed automatic transmission is also featured.

Aston Martin head honcho Dr. Andy Palmer more or less confirmed that there’s room for a manual transmission in there too, which is appropriate for the company’s best-handling car to date. About the best-handling part, that comes from a higher-up within the British automaker who used to do chassis development at Lotus before he joined Aston Martin. And of course, the 5.2-liter twin-turbo V12 from the DB11 will give birth to the all-new V12 Vantage. The ultimate interpretation of the next-generation Vantage will reportedly go official sometime during 2019 (for the 2020 model year at the latest).

On a related note, 2018 will see Aston Martin redesign the Vantage GTEendurance racing car with the underpinnings from the all-new model. Based on one of the teaser pics released by the automaker, it’ll borrow the full-width taillights from the road-going car, but it’ll up the ante with a big wing.

Aston will hang on to that ZF 8-speed until ZF renders it obsolete. It's been their drivetrain lifeline for 6-7 years now. I guess the don't have the R&D budget to upgrade to a ZF double-clutch.

 

[tristatez28lt1]

Aston will hang on to that ZF 8-speed until ZF renders it obsolete. It's been their drivetrain lifeline for 6-7 years now. I guess the don't have the R&D budget to upgrade to a ZF double-clutch.

I believe the 8 speed ZF dual clutch is only for Porsche/VW group since they helped develop it.

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

I just hope the interior theme leans more towards the DB10 than the DB11, Q's modifications notwithstanding.

 

[Centurion]

I believe the 8 speed ZF dual clutch is only for Porsche/VW group since they helped develop it.

Aren’t the auto trannys more reliable anyway? Or it is mainly VAGs dual clutch gearboxes that can be problematic, especially outside warranty?

 

[sako97]

Aren’t the auto trannys more reliable anyway? Or it is mainly VAGs dual clutch gearboxes that can be problematic, especially outside warranty?

Essentially. Also cuts R&D costs. That's why cars like the S4/5 & M5/8 shifted from 7-speed double-clutch gearboxes to 8-speed automatics.

 

[tristatez28lt1]

Aren’t the auto trannys more reliable anyway? Or it is mainly VAGs dual clutch gearboxes that can be problematic, especially outside warranty?

Yes, that’s correct. Dual clutches are generally more maintenance intensive with added wear with clutches and more moving pieces. Nowadays automatics (except the early generations of the ZF8HP in the 5 series) are fire/install and forget. They will last their 100,000 km maintenance free.

 

[Centurion]

Yes, that’s correct. Dual clutches are generally more maintenance intensive with added wear with clutches and more moving pieces. Nowadays automatics (except the early generations of the ZF8HP in the 5 series) are fire/install and forget. They will last their 100,000 km.

I would also add that the shift speed and accuracy of a dual clutch over an automatic only makes the biggest difference in cars that can be pushed hard. Aston Martin as a brand has racing credentials but they cars are more than often sporty grand tourers rather than outright sports car. They are less likely to be tracked than a 911 or M3 both of which have dual clutch transmissions.

However the new Vantage GT3 racing car is likely to stick to the Xtrac sequential transmission.

 

[Betty Swollocks]

The auto in my M135i felt distinctly "unsporty" compared to the M DCT in my M4.

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

November 21st

 

[SKY]

I hope they don't mess up the rear with the linear realights... Everything else looks so good.

 

[Bucketslash11]

patent images?

looks good

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

patent images?

looks good

patent images?

looks good

The large fender vents and those rear lights do have me a little nervous.

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

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500 hp
685 Nm
1530 kg (dry)

 

[sako97]

500 hp
685 Nm
1530 kg (dry)

So real world weight will be roughly the same as the outgoing V8 Vantage, which was criticized for being heavy considering it's compact dimensions.

 

[Wunderkind]

I don't feel this thing at all, same vibe I get with the DB11.

Btw, what business does Aston Martin have in F1? Spend the money on road car R&D and quality improvement instead, please.

 

[Centurion]

So real world weight will be roughly the same as the outgoing V8 Vantage, which was criticized for being heavy considering it's compact dimensions.

Is there any GT on the market that can be considered light? Many are a bit porky.

 

[KiwiRob]

So real world weight will be roughly the same as the outgoing V8 Vantage, which was criticized for being heavy considering it's compact dimensions.

What do you expect, with the weight of all the luxury customers expect and all the mandated safety equipment cars aren't going to be lightweight, unless you buy a Caterham or the like.

 

[Monster]

Please continue the discussion on the official thread here, thanks k
OFFICIAL - 2018 Aston Martin Vantage