Aston Martin has announced its new V8 Vantage S, a car it says promises even more driver-focussed features, increased performance and polished looks.
Featuring Aston Martin's own 4.7-litre V8, the 'S' has been engineered to deliver 321kW/490Nm via an all-new seven-speed SportshifT II transmission, specifically designed for the car. This transmission offers gearshifts 20 per cent faster than before for enhanced acceleration and a more 'sporting feel'.
The 2011 Aston Martin V8 Vantage S is available to order now with the first examples expected in Australian showrooms from late March. The first customer deliveries will follow in June.
Although pricing is yet to be finalised, Aston Martin's local representative Marcel Fabris told the Carsales Network "V8 Vantage S pricing will be within a 10 per cent premium of the sticker price of the current SportshifT V8 Vantage coupe".
As with every Aston Martin, the Vantage S benefits from its own unique aural character thanks to a new exhaust muffler and bypass valve map, creating a very distinctive and highly vocal exhaust note.
Dynamic revisions see V8 Vantage S include a quicker steering rack of 15:1 (previously 17:1) and larger diameter front brake discs (380mm compared to 355) grabbed by six-piston calipers. New spring and damper rates in addition to wider rear rubber also contribute to the chassis' revisions, as does a model-specific stability control program and bespoke Bridgestone tyres.
The new Aston Martin V8 Vantage S promises a top speed of 189mph (305km/h), 10mph faster than the regular V8 Vantage. Zero to 100km/h times have not yet been announced, though we expect these to trounce the current time of 4.7 seconds.
"The Vantage S epitomises every attribute of the V8 Vantage and pushes the driver experience beyond what we have offered before," says Dr. Ulrich Bez, CEO of Aston Martin. "It combines dynamic exhilaration with all the charming finesse, beauty and practicality already associated with the Vantage range."
Influenced by both the V12 Vantage and Vantage GT4 race car, the new Aston Martin V8 Vantage S is characterised by a purposeful stance said to convey its agility and performance capabilities. From the front, a new lower bumper finished in carbon-fibre houses larger brake ducts, while the splitter combines with the extended deck lid 'flip' to provide increased downforce at speed. A new rear bumper and side sills optically widen the car.
V8 Vantage S also sports new 19-inch 'V' spoke alloy wheels as standard with optional 10-spoke lightweight forged wheels also available, further reducing unsprung mass.
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