According to evo, the V8 Vantage will soon receive it's "biggest overhaul since 2008":

"Starting from £84,995 the basic V8 Vantage models will receive a re-engineered 4.7-litre 420bhp engine, and many of the features previously available only in 'S' form.

The V8 still comes with a six-speed manual as standard, but the optional six-speed Sportshift gearbox has gone, replaced by a new seven-speed Sportshift II 'box - the extra cog helping to mix improved acceleration with all new levels of shift quality and refinement. This will also be combined with a Hill Start Assist system, for better control on steep inclines.

Dynamically, the Vantage has been substantially upgraded with quicker steering, thanks to a new steering column and modification to the power steering pump. Wider-profile tyres and larger six piston brake callipers complete the package.

Taking inspiration from the N400 and 'S' models, the front bumper has been re-styled to include larger air intakes and an aerodynamic splitter. A diffuser has been added at the rear, and to complete the package there are new sculpted side-mouldings, to give the car a more muscular look.

The 430bhp Vantage S gets the Sportshift II gearbox as standard, and is still the more driver-focussed choice. A new motorsport-derived aerodynamic styling package is offered, as well as a unique sports exhaust system."

www.evo.co.uk/news/evonews/279016/aston_martin_v8_vantage_updated.html

 

Great info! More from the AM site: http://www.astonmartin.com/news/news...range-for-2012

 

The AM notice says "Production of the sensational V12 Vantage continues unchanged." I suppose this is confirmation that they'll continue beyond 1000 examples? Not happy about that if so!

 

I found that interesting as well, especially with no discussion of a roadster version. Supposedly, they were going to announce something big at the Geneva show. I thought that this was going to be the V12VR but there was no mention of the DBS in the report. I know that they are working on a HP increase for the DBS in the neighborhood of 600HP. I just wonder what it could be if not these 2 possibilities.

 

I was told that they will be announcing a new model to the current line-up - not sure at Geneva but definitely sometime this year.

 

Seems as though both the convertible V12V and the DBS power increase are going to be announced at the Geneva show.

 

Any idea on when the Vantage will get a facelift, I'm curious to see what the next generation will look like. It will probably follow along the Virage?

 

"new seven-speed Sportshift II 'box" Now that I would love to add to my car.

Before the manual vs automatic debate starts, let me just say that if I could still use the manual I would definitely prefer that gearbox. However, I suffer from chronic pain in both feet, and even the clutch in the Aston Martin is more than I can manage. (its much softer than the clutch in a Ferrari 550).

 

DBS power jump from 510 bhp to 600 bhp seems like a pretty large jump. How do they intend to pull this off. Effectively without changing the dispacement of the 6L powerplant, outside of the AFR maps and tuning, maybe some tweaks in the induction system, some cylinder head masaging, maybe decking the block ever so slightly ...what else can they muster...they've already done most of those tweaks on the current DBS and even still the delta between the DB9 and current DBS is not that much at all only about 30 bhp, it's basically a slightly tweaked SAME engine...there's only so much you can do to the 2 same naturally aspirated engines to make one more powerful then the other, and to that end the gains will always be small...these are not turbo engines!

 

The power bump is more like 550.

 

550 from tune and minor exhaust changes alone shouldn't be too difficult.

Perhaps they meant they will keep producing the v12 as a reference to the volante version.

It's nice that the new 2012s get the "S" model additions, but then that means those are no longer that special anymore. I am curious to see all the various changes in person. It still seems like the best deal is to just pickup a nice low priced 09 4.7 for the money IMO.

 

^^^ as for the DBS power bump from 510 to 550 that's a delta of 40 bhp ... On an na motor which is currently already optimized in the tune (timing and AFR) and has an optimized exhaust (these are part of the things they already did to bump it from to the 510 bhp it currently has -- they had to do tweaks on the 6.0 v12 already to get it to 510 over the 480 bhp of the db9) .... This said what else is left what else can they do to the current v12 to bump it up another 40 bhp from the currently already optimized engine in the current DBS ... Remember we are talking about naturally aspirated engines here NOT forced induction... Once wound out and worked over very little left to squeeze out...

 

Bamford Rose and RSC are both anticipating an increase of about 40 bhp with their exhaust systems alone. Of course, they do not need to comply with the same noise and emissions requirements that Aston does.

 

The dbr9 is over 600HP and the original V12V was also in that ballpark. Adding DFI without changing the displacement would be good for 25 HP. I would like to see them take a hard look at weight.

 

Good points. Forgot that the V12V was originally announced to have around 600 bhp.

As I mentioned on PistonHeads today, I'm amazed at these power wars, and all in the face of increased concerns over emissions and mpg. Ferrari just announced that the 599 replacement will have over 700 bhp and that the new Enzo will have over 900 bhp! This is just incredible to me. Who would have thought 10 years ago that there would be so many road cars today with figures well over 500 bhp.