So how about we let Aston Martin know what we would like to see in the next gen V8?


Personally, I'd like to see:


#1 wheels out to the end of the fenders.
I installed 20mm rear spacers and 15mm front spacers and the car looks MUCH better.


#2 use the extra space for wider wheels and tires
I'm using 285/35/19 rear and 245/40/19 front and it's just not enough for the awesome cornering capability of the mid mounted V8.


#3 switch to Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires. They're awesome!


#4 taller wheels in back. 20" rear and 19" front seems to be the standard, just need to sculpt the rear fenders a little to look as good with 20" wheels.


#5 keep the 6 speed. It's really the only reason I purchased my V8 Vantage.


#6 use more Loctite! I have a rattle or three fixed every time I bring the car in for service.


#7 make the front LED strip "always on". It looks really cool :-)


#8 better rear bumper mounting. The tape was a bad idea, almost every V8 has ripples in back.


#9 Larini 200 cell secondary cats. MUCH better sound and power.


Anything I missed?

 

Many of your suggestions are subject to automotive regulations that limit a manufacturer's ability to make a car compliant in some markets. This is the reason the aftermarket exists.

 

Most of your asks would qualify the car for SEMA.

 

I'd like to see some small ergonomic improvements (relative to my 2009 Vantage):

1. Move the volume and cruise control buttons on the wheel to locations under your thumbs (see Audi's volume wheel).

2. Move the clock higher so it's easier to see (maybe add a digital clock in the instrument cluster too).

3. Move the T1/T2 and Read buttons next to the instrument cluster.

4. Move the overhead light switches next to the lights or even make the lights themselves the buttons.

5. Do not have the joystick affect the CD player (I sometimes bump it when shifting into 3rd and end up changing the music).

6. Make the glove box bigger to accommodate 6 CD jewel cases.

7. Improve the window switch locations, they're awkward especially for the down direction.

8. Make the hood release latch flush with the wall, my left shin rubs against it.

9. Make the cupholders deeper, even a short bottle of water sticks up too high.

10. Don't put stitching down the center of the headrest, it rubs on the back of my head on a long trip.

For the exterior, don't change anything, it's perfect.

 

Powerful lightweight cars are more fun to drive than powerful heavy cars...plus virtually every vehicle function improves.

Set aggressive objectives (become competitive). Use competitive teardowns to determine existing industry "best ball", then add "stretch".

Establish incentives for in-house designers/engineers and component vendors for implementation.

 

I LOVE these 2:
6. Make the glove box bigger to accommodate 6 CD jewel cases.
7. Improve the window switch locations, they're awkward especially for the down direction.
Not quite as nice as twin turbos, but it would be nice to see!

 

What are CDs? Isn't that something you get in the bank? Why do you need six jewel cases for that?

 

1 - Get a proper dual-clutch transmission, or at least a goof ZF auto
2 - Redo the interior, looks old. Get rid of the current low quality parts like vents, stalks, seat controls
3 - Get a good infotainment system. Talk to Nvidia, make it happen
4 - Cooled seats as an option
5 - Better packaging for more storage in the convertible's trunk (one of the reasons I didn't get a vert)
6 - Keep the soundtrack
7 - Make the car lighter. 3600 pounds for a small 2 seater is a bit much.
8 - Make it a plug-in hybrid (like the i8). But keep the v8.
9 - Glass roof as an option on the coupe.
10 - Get rid of the ECU
11 - Air suspension as an option
12 - Should be able to deploy wings and a jet engine and fly.

 

Yes, a glass roof option. The Jaquar F type has it and so is the new Mercedes AMG GT, so why not on an Aston.

 

I have to agree on the weight. My Z4 soft top convertible was 2900 pounds with reasonable amenities. It did have electric steering though, which might be a downside if you're a purist (I don't care). Seems like a Vantage coupe could be around 3400 (i.e. the same as an E46 M3). I wouldn't trade A/C, noise dampening, etc. though to get there, it has to remain a luxury car.

 

FYI, curb weight for current-gen vehicles of similar size:

Z4 is- 3549 (TT I6)
SLK55 - 3583 (N/A V8)
F-Type R - 3671 (Supercharged V8)
V8V - 3549 (N/A V8)
V12V - 3670 (N/A V12)
370z - 3278 (N/A V6)
Corvette - 3298 (N/A V8)
Boxster - 2888 (I6)

Interestingly enough, most of them are around the same, except the cheaper 370z and Corvette, and significantly lower in weight is the Boxster (!!).

 

Yeah, the Z4 put on a lot of weight with the hard top convertible. It's a shame, my 2003 soft top was so light and agile.

 

- Hard Top Convertible
- Manual Transmission Option
- Additional Safety Features
- Better Fuel Efficiency

 

1:New steering wheel
2: Killer looks
3: keep manual
4: Dual clutch
5: 500 Horsepower minimum

 

One of the very cool features of my new 15 Mustang undocumented is the image projected under each mirror (see shoes in pict for scale) when you touch the door handle on the ground at night. probably does not weigh hardly anything for an LED projection, could even do a GIF motion video or color!

Also bring back the wood interior options in the Vantage same as in the DB 9, and leather with that old school smell that the older Astons had. I had older Lagonda's and the interior smell was incredible in each of them. My wife used to sit in the car just to get a whiff!