The Emperor

Nice wall's in many resolutions @: - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

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klier

Yeah, and I'm adding the 6er coupe as well...

I think I am the only one who's not digging this Roadster. Give me the coupe any day of the week.

Bruce

V8 Vantage "Volante" now updated on Aston Martin's site:

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Claimed kerbweight is 1,710kg, 140kg more than the coupe.




DIMENSIONS
- Length 4380 mm (172.5 in)
- Width 1865 mm (73.5 in) (excluding mirrors)
- Height 1265 mm (50.0 in)
- Wheelbase 2600 mm (102.5 in)
- Front track 1570 mm (62.0 in)
- Rear track 1560 mm (61.5 in)
- Turning circle (kerb to kerb) 11.1 m (36.5 ft)
- Boot capacity 144 litres ( 5.0 cu ft)
- Fuel capacity 80 litres (17.6 UK gal) 21.2 US gal
- Cd 0.35
- Weight 1710 kg ( 3770 lb)

Information now avaliable on AM's new Sport Shift transmission



"Sportshift adds electro-hydraulic control to the V8 Vantage Roadster 6-speed manual transmission to offer improved shift times and replaces the conventional manual gear lever with push button controls on the centre console to select ‘Auto Drive’, ‘Reverse’ or ‘Neutral’.

Manual gear changes are selected in Paddle Shift Mode - the new ultra-quick system provides the driver with heightened precision via fingertip control of gear changes using steering column mounted paddles, forged from
lightweight magnesium, to progress smoothly and swiftly through the ratios.
Sportshift offers gear changes up to three times faster than the standard manual transmission already available, with the driving enthusiast able to access precision gearshifts in around 200m/s. To adapt to all driving conditions, an additional 'Comfort' mode offering a more relaxed gear change features which is selected via a single button on the centre console.
Sportshift functionality is also enhanced with a low speed ‘crawl’ feature, which acts as a manoeuvring aid, gently engaging the clutch to move the car up to 4mph - allowing the driver to focus on positioning rather than throttle control when parking. Additionally, Sportshift includes a user-selected ‘Auto Drive’ mode, which, when operated, will take full control of the timing of all changes and select the appropriate gear for all conditions.

Equipped with Sportshift, the Vantage Roadster retains its low polar moment of inertia and excellent balance, with a negligible increase in overall weight and minimal impact to the Roadster's optimal 49:51 weight distribution. Equally, top end performance is unchanged, at 280 km/h (175 mph)."

Michael

This car is hot, sexy, and just spectacularly true to AM's design and culture--at least I think so.

I was looking at a PDF brochure for this car last night and realized who was in it. The guys and girls in it are skinny, thin models that are in their mid to late 20's. Not older! I was wondering why would they put such people in this age group on such brochures? Well, I realized that, truthfully speaking, the consumers, or the market that such a car is promoted in, is an older one. We all want to feel younger after a certain age and look it to. Unfortunately we plastic surgery or the gym can't help, or we are not dedicated enough to go through with such a dicipline, we settle for what money can buy. If money can buy you a roadster, such as this one, you jump on it knowing that you may attract youth. That is why these models are in it. They resemble youth and a culture that is dying for it--no pun intended.

Thoughts on this?

Mirage77

I differ in my opinion on the demographic of the consumer. The Vantage Volante (more so than the Coupe) is for those in the late 20s with newly-earned wealth, but not yet enough money for a DB9 or a DB9 Volante. While I was at the AM dealership, the age of owners ranged from 28-40 but never above 40. He said it was very different for the Vanquish and DB7 - those cars appealed to a demographic who were 40 and above.

BTW, from what I understand, Sportshift is an F1 paddle-shift gearbox, unlike the true automatic w/ manual override in the DB9, right?

Michael

That is interesting that you say this. I guess my belief in 'mid-life crisis' guys buying this car is wrong. I would still argue that the range is from the 30's to the mid 40's and that there are more in the upper part of that range buying such cars than in the lower range. Then again, it all depends what society and/or country you are speaking of. Either way, I am sure the number are consistent.

I would love to have an Aston Martin V8, but am not sure if I would be able to afford one in the next decade. Who knows. I hope so.

Mirage77

I'll be waiting to see your Aston Martin...

ree

You can now configurate your own V8 Vantage Roadster!!

- ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Bruce

Thanks, ree! I'm going to build one right now

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