The analogy doesn't really work for this situation. This is more like Porsche starting to sell a discounted 911 for $50k that is basically the same as the regular 911 but only available in certain color combinations. Why would anyone then buy the regular 911? At least with the Boxster there is a significant power difference.

The only way this makes sense to me is if Aston is about to follow up with news of a new Vantage with significantly uprated power provided by a new MB engine.

 

Engine is a close derivitive of the AJV8 Jag unit from 1997 XKR. Says it all really.

 

I feel this has to be the case. If it's not, I don't get it at all unless they are close to bankruptcy.

 

Wow. that engine was a 4.0 Liter (1997 XKR); seriously underpowered.
I remember when I went from my 2000 XKR to my 2007 XKR. Serious step up in power. And then from the 07 XKR to the 5L XKR was night and day.

I have not driven a 565 bhp Aston. I am sure that would be a blast!!!

 

Major oversimplification, and the kind of thing that makes people believe that the V8V is too old to be any good. Which is flat out wrong IMO.

The engine is such a completely re-engineered "derivative" to the point that it shares NOTHING with the (4.0) '97 XKR engine. Nor does the Aston engine share anything with the later 4.2 Jaguar engine. It still provides competitive performance -- a manual V8V is slightly quicker than the 8-cyl R8 (yes, it's soon to be replaced, but it hasn't been yet and no one complains that it isn't quick enough), very nearly as quick as a 991S (not so true with paddle 'boxes), signficantly quicker than all but the fastest F-types, quicker than any Maserati GT, etc. Not bad for such an antique...

Yes, the V8V has been around for a while now, but it's been continuously developed, and it remains a great car. The perception of age has overshadowed what remains a worthy and competitive car, with what remains a world-class structure. A shame. And a screaming deal for those, like KF, who buy one.

It deserves better than this. It deserves a better marketing campaign, one that expresses its worth as a highly developed, beautifully built and engineered car, not its slashed price -- which suggests that it's not such a great car.

 

No, I did not miss your point -- I disagree with it. However, to now slash prices and go under $100K -- and to promote that as the big selling point -- I think is very dangerous.

Honest question: If Ferrari were to re-enter the current $125K - 160K market, where they were for a very long time, would you still think AM shouldn't play there?

 

Does anyone know how much less expensive a GT is when optioned with basically the same equipment that is included 1) on a standard V8V, and 2) on a standard V8VS?

 

All in all, with the GT it looks like you're getting a V8VS for $18k less than the current base Vantage. All the options look like they're priced the same.

Very well said!

 

are they still even making regular vantages? i hope not, unless those become cheaper than a GT

 

Wrong. There are similarities even down to the thermostat being the same.

Volvo running gear and parts and Ford/Jag derived engine parts.

Recently replaced the Lambda sensors. Ford was inscribed on the sensor casing.

 

Vergis,

The thermostat??? Seriously??? That's my point -- the engine is NOT the same, nor a mere "close derivation." Tell me what in the engine is shared.

The block of the 4.3 was cast to the same specs (as the 4.2 Jaguar) but then machined differently. The 4.7 block, I believe, is cast to its own unique spec to begin with. For both 4.3. and 4.7, the crank, bearings, rods, pistons, rings, valves, cams, and heads are all unique to Aston Martin.

BTW, I've read -- but I don't know whether it's true -- that the AM block's alloy is different (can anyone confirm?).

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaguar_AJ-V8_engine

 

That's exactly Speedraser's point. From that article:

"This engine is unique to Aston Martin and features race-style dry-sump lubrication, which enables it to be mounted low to lower the centre of gravity. The engine is assembled by hand at the AM facility in Cologne, Germany, which also builds the V12 for the DB9 and Vanquish. The cylinder block, cylinder heads, crankshaft, connecting rods, pistons, camshafts, inlet and exhaust manifolds, lubrication system and engine management are all unique to the Aston Martin version."

 

That's almost like saying that the later model Lamborghini Diablos were the same as a Nissan because the used the same headlights as the 300ZX. If you lift a little carbon fiber cover, you can see that the glass actually says "Nissan Motor Corporation"

 

Fair enough I stand corrected. They are different engines.