The Vantage gets a new V8 engine
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I wish this news came out a year ago, my dad bought a V8 Vantage Roadster last year... Maybe that means I can talk him into upgrading to something with a V12 or a higher tuned V8... 
Anyways, I do think AMG is a good fit for Aston. The AMG engines fit the Aston "code" of hand-built, and in my opinion are some of the best engines on the market today. Case in point (and I know it was 20 years ago) but the McLaren F1 chose an AMG V12 to create the fastest street car ever at the time, and what many consider to be one of the most innovative and iconic sports cars of all time.
Anyways, I do think AMG is a good fit for Aston. The AMG engines fit the Aston "code" of hand-built, and in my opinion are some of the best engines on the market today. Case in point (and I know it was 20 years ago) but the McLaren F1 chose an AMG V12 to create the fastest street car ever at the time, and what many consider to be one of the most innovative and iconic sports cars of all time.
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The truth is Aston just can't afford to go it totally alone in the long term. They are one of very few (probably the only one of their size) high end global manufacturers that aren't owned by one of the big groups. The cost of developing new engines and keeping pace with fast moving emissions legislation is absolutely immense, and the Volvo based electronic architecture is in need of an overhaul, no way can they afford to develop their own and keep pace with ultra fast moving hi-tech world.
AMG / Merc have produced some very bespoke power units for the likes of Zonda to good effect, so why not Aston, who will surely also wish to stamp their own bespoke DNA on any new engine. So I don't think A.M. Will simply slot a current V8 into the next Vantage.
Aston have only just fettled the V12 and have an agreement in place with Ford for engine supply, so as is clearly indicated by the press release I believe a new V8 will be first, but who knows for the long term... Interesting and exciting times, but I have faith in Aston's ability to take key quality components (like they do from Bilstein, Brembo, Conti etc) and weave them into the VH- platform while retaining that unique Aston Martin DNA.
AMG / Merc have produced some very bespoke power units for the likes of Zonda to good effect, so why not Aston, who will surely also wish to stamp their own bespoke DNA on any new engine. So I don't think A.M. Will simply slot a current V8 into the next Vantage.
Aston have only just fettled the V12 and have an agreement in place with Ford for engine supply, so as is clearly indicated by the press release I believe a new V8 will be first, but who knows for the long term... Interesting and exciting times, but I have faith in Aston's ability to take key quality components (like they do from Bilstein, Brembo, Conti etc) and weave them into the VH- platform while retaining that unique Aston Martin DNA.
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This is actually incorrect. The F1 engine was supplied by BMW.
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Its a shame that we wont be able to fit the new line up of Merc engines in the current vantage. The possibilities would be amazing.
I can imagine that merc engines in Astons in the future will allow more potential to swop around engines with other Merc variants.
All postive news in m opinion.
I can imagine that merc engines in Astons in the future will allow more potential to swop around engines with other Merc variants.
All postive news in m opinion.
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Using all Mercedes electronics will be a huge leap forward. The new Benz nav/media units feel a decade ahead of the junk Volvo or bar in units. Also, newer Mercedes electronics have been completely bulletproof (contrary to their issues of old back in the 90s and 2003-2006 "dark ages" period they had.
I do not know how in the world they will ever bring out a new aston that looks better than the current vantage, that's a tall order. I agree, the ford motors do have great character but have always had a very lazy revving character (which in this day and age flat out won't cut it).
I do not know how in the world they will ever bring out a new aston that looks better than the current vantage, that's a tall order. I agree, the ford motors do have great character but have always had a very lazy revving character (which in this day and age flat out won't cut it).
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Yes, Aston needs help financially to develop competitive new engines. Bespoke is the key to making this work. An Aston with a retuned AMG engine may well be a great car, but it won't be a great Aston Martin, not to me. Start with an AMG engine, spend the money and make it as different from that starting point as the current V8 is from the Jaguar engine, and make a great Aston.
007, unfortunately Benz electronics are emphatically NOT bulletproof, as my experience with a 2012 model has made quite clear.
007, unfortunately Benz electronics are emphatically NOT bulletproof, as my experience with a 2012 model has made quite clear.
My post on PH:
The key word in the press release is bespoke -- "development of bespoke V8 powertrains." If that's what happens, so it's not just AMG engines in Astons, this could be great. An Aston with an AMG -- or any other firm's -- engine would completely ruin it for me, no matter how "great" that engine may be.
Use M-B’s technology and know-how, use the electronics and emissions tech. Adapt their direct injection, stop-start (but let me turn it off if I want to), etc. Use their engines as a starting point, as was done with the current V8 and V12, and develop Aston-only engines with their own bespoke bore and stroke, crank, rods, pistons, cams, heads, valves, etc. Don’t just use retuned M-B engines, like what Bentley does with VW/Audi engines. These are expensive, iconic cars. This is Aston Martin – respect that and spend the money to do it right. Ford did, and that strategy made for the best and most successful cars in Aston Martin history. Build on that – don’t throw it away.
The key word in the press release is bespoke -- "development of bespoke V8 powertrains." If that's what happens, so it's not just AMG engines in Astons, this could be great. An Aston with an AMG -- or any other firm's -- engine would completely ruin it for me, no matter how "great" that engine may be.
Use M-B’s technology and know-how, use the electronics and emissions tech. Adapt their direct injection, stop-start (but let me turn it off if I want to), etc. Use their engines as a starting point, as was done with the current V8 and V12, and develop Aston-only engines with their own bespoke bore and stroke, crank, rods, pistons, cams, heads, valves, etc. Don’t just use retuned M-B engines, like what Bentley does with VW/Audi engines. These are expensive, iconic cars. This is Aston Martin – respect that and spend the money to do it right. Ford did, and that strategy made for the best and most successful cars in Aston Martin history. Build on that – don’t throw it away.
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Engine sound that some of u are going on about...the V8 will still sound the same whether it's a jag, benz, ford, tata engine under the bonnet..The sound is all done by the exhaust design..look at a 1995 mustang 5.0 and a 2013 mustang 5.0, they are very similar with the iconic mustang tone..So I highly doubt Aston will not invest to keep there iconic V8 Vantage exhaust tone..they've always had cash for R&D on things like this, and it's done in-house
Many many factors influence the sound of an engine's exhaust. Yes, the pipes and mufflers have the most notable effect, but the sound is unique.
To simplify, listen to a 1000cc HD v-twin w straight pipes, then a 1000cc Vincent v-twin, same straight pipes, then a 1000cc Honda v-twin, same straight pipes. Those bikes/engines could never be mistaken for one another. I'm 99.9% certain that the same goes for engines with any number of cylinders.
So I'm still worried. Pleeeeeezzzzzz keep it sounding like an Aston.
Last edited by IbisRider; Jul 28, 2013 at 02:15 PM. Reason: needed to add the v-twin part
Another use of the V8 AMG engine already in use in the USA by another car company... I wonder if they will also add the paddle shift as well..?
http://www.lucracars.com/#!specs/cihc
http://www.lucracars.com/#!specs/cihc
Last edited by Breezman; Aug 1, 2013 at 08:27 AM.
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