Supercharged Vantage

Production Dates; October 1992 - April 2000

Launched at the Birmingham Motor Show in 1992, this was the second model to be given the name Vantage in its own right, rather than just an uprated version of a current product. The first was the AM Vantage, the Company Developments version of the DBS.

While this model did bear a passing resemblance to Virage, careful examination would have revealed many differences. The most obvious were external details, the only Virage panels were the door and roof skins.

The frontal aspect had two groups of three headlamps, each behind a heated lens, a deep front chin spoiler with three vents, larger pronounced flared wheel arches and two mesh filled air vents in the panel behind the front wheels giving the car a formidable appearence.

Reaction to the Vantage was predictably enthusiastic, and it generated rave reviews for the company.

In 1999 Aston Martin launched the ultimate Vantage, named the Vantage Le Mans, in celebration of the company's victory at Le Mans in 1959. Only 40 cars were built with a massive 600 bhp and 600 lb-ft of torque, The highest output of any Aston Martin and, indeed, any production car at the time. It was capable of 0-60 in under 4 seconds and a top speed of 200 mph. The visible modifications included a restyled bonnet with twin air intakes, a distinctive blanked off radiator grille, larger side vents and magnesium alloy wheels. The brakes were uprated to 6 pot AP Racing discs and calipers. The interior wood was replaced with brushed metal panels and larger, racing style rev counter.

Specification

Engine: All alloy quad cam 32 valve V8 of 5340cc, Twin Eaton superchargers with air to liquid inter coolers. Standard power 550bhp @ 6500rpm, 550Ib.ft @ 4000rpm

Fuel system: Bosch injection with EEC IV management

Gearbox: 6-speed ZF manual

Body: Steel chassis with handcrafted aluminium alloy body panels.

Suspension:

Front; Independent, double wishbones with co-axle springs and anti-roll bar.

Rear; De-Dion axle located by four longitudinal radius arms and transverse Watt's linkage. Co-axle coil spring damper units.

Brakes: Ventilated steel Discs all round with AP Racing four pot aluminium calipers on the front, Servo assisted Tandem brake master cylinder and Bosch ABS.

Length: 5' 7" (475 cms)

Width: 6' 4" (194 cms)

Height: 4' 5" (1330 mm)

Wheelbase: 8' 6'' (261 cms)

Weight: 4387 lb (1990 kg)

Top Speed: 186mph (299km/h)

Acceleration: 0-60mph 4.6 secs

Production figures;
236 Vantage
40 Vantage Le Mans
8 Vantage Volante