The time has come for Aston Martin to unveil the subtly facelifted Vantage V8 in what is being described by the British sports car maker as “the most comprehensive programme of enhancements since 2008”.
However, what Aston Martin is really trying to tell us is that it has upgraded the base Vantage V8 with many of the improvements first seen on the Vantage S.
While the standard six-speed manual transmission remains, the optional six-speed Sportshift automated manual transmission has replaced with the seven-speed Sportshift II.
In addition, the base V8 model gains the Vantage S’ quicker steering with a ratio of 15:1 compared to 17:1, bigger brakes with 380mm two-piece ventilated cast-iron front discs and six piston calipers, and 10mm wider tires.
On the outside, the 2012 Vantage V8 inherits a number of styling changes from the Vantage S and N400 limited edition, which include a new lower front bumper piece with a splitter, more sculpted side sills and and a rear diffuser.
The base Vantage’s 4.7-liter V8 engine that produces an output of 420bhp (426PS/313kW) remains intact.
The technical and styling changes have been applied to both the V8 Vantage Coupe and Roadster models, with prices starting from £84,995 in the UK and from €108,500 in Germany.
Production of the other Vantage models, which include the Vantage S featuring a 430bhp version of the 4.7-liter V8 along with a bespoke sports exhaust system and a carbon fiber aero package, and the 510bhp Vantage V12 continue unchanged for 2012.
We’ll remind you that Aston recently also launched the V12 Zagato, which assumes the role of flagship model of the series and will be produced in a strictly limited run of 150 units.
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