After spotting the development prototype for the first time last summer, our spies spotted Aston Martin testing the new 2018 Vantage in cold weather conditions.
Aston Martin’s new baby headed to Sweden for its next round of tests, hiding its new, sexy bodywork under a set of plastic body panels.
The British sports car maker has a tall order in replacing the existing Vantage from a design point, as the current model is considered one of the most beautiful shapes in the automotive world.
The new generation of Aston Martin’s strict two-seater is expected to mainly draw inspiration from the DB10, keeping the shape of the car cleaner and more elegant as Aston Martin wants to maintain the Vantage nameplate among the best designs in the business.
Aston Martin will use a shortened version of their new aluminum platform that debuted in the DB11, with the new Vantage expected to be slightly longer, wider and lower than the current model.
But the biggest new is the adoption of Mercedes-AMG’s twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 engine as part of Aston Martin’s agreement with Daimler. This will be available in two power outputs, with Aston Martin to offer a manual gearbox as the standard option, a first for this engine.
Aston Martin’s new twin-turbo 5.2-litre V12 engine is also expected to find its way under the bonnet of the Vantage, creating this way a range-topping version to succeed the current V12 Vantage.
The official debut of the new Aston Martin Vantage is expected sometime in late 2017 as a 2018MY, with a roadster version to follow six to nine months later.
Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoops
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