The original Aston Martin V8 Vantage was one of the most well rounded sports cars of its time. It was quick, nimble, comfortable and most importantly, it sounded absolutely sublime. However, the main complaints it got was that the engine could benefit from more power and that it leaned a bit too much to the comfort side. However, that would all change with the V8 Vantage S which pioneered many improvements over the old model such a new transmission, a new engine and many smaller improvements done to the chassis, brakes and steering. The V8 Vantage S horsepower increased by ten over the standard model and by 60 over the old model. Naturally, the V8 Vantage S price increased over the standard model, but not by much and the difference is hardly noticeable on the used market today. But don’t worry, this V8 Vantage S review will cover all aspects in depth and before that, check out the ones currently for sale at Exotic Car Trader.
The V8 Vantage came out just before the financial crisis of 2007 hit, and as an entry level Aston Martin, that was just the right time. The V8 Vantage had cost just half of what the DB9 went for while losing none of the charm, beauty or excitement. The V8 Vantage originally used the Jaguar sourced 4.3 V8 which was hand assembled at Aston Martin and it was coupled to a six speed automatic or a manual transmission. Once the V8 Vantage was unveiled in 2011, the engine had grown to 4.7 liters of displacement and a new, much more modern 7 speed automatic debuted at the same time. Those two improvements alone make a world of difference and the standard V8 Vantage got them a year later. The Vantage S also got a redesigned rear end, as did the standard version in 2012. As to where was the baby V8 Vantage S made, the answer is Gaydon alongside the flagship DBS, Virage and Vanquish. And if you are wondering how many V8 Vantage S were made, the answer is 1,911 out of a total of 15,417 V8 coupes. Now, let’s take this Aston Martin V8 Vantage S review to the more fun side and explain what made it so special compared to the standard model.
The V8 Vantage S was the first Aston Martin model to get the new 4.7 liter V8 engine. And while that alone doesn’t make it that special as the standard model also got it a year later, the S still had more power. The V8 Vantage S horsepower and torque stood at 430 and 361 lb-ft which is ten more than the standard model with the same engine. A new 7 speed transmission was also found in the S which improved acceleration, top speed and lowered the weight. The V8 Vantage S weight was 3,549 lbs, some 54 lbs less thanks to the new transmission. At the same time, V8 Vantage S 0-60 time was 4.5 seconds making it 0.2 seconds faster than the normal Vantage. Also, the standard model had a top speed of 180 mph while the V8 Vantage S top speed was 189 mph. Other improvements include new six piston front calipers, a quicker steering rack, and stiffer bushings, struts and springs. While all these improvements didn’t make a world of difference on paper, they definitely improved the driving experience noticeably.
The overall V8 Vantage S interior design remained pretty much the same as it was in the standard model. And that design was largely carried over from the DB9 and DBS. That included the center console, the gauge cluster, the foldable navigation screen, and the steering wheel. However, the V8 Vantage S gets an alcantara finished steering wheel plus more alcantara inserts in the seats and doors. Also, the Vantage S gets bespoke lightweight bucket seats with interesting color combinations. The seats are still electric and the old shifter buttons remain on top of the dashboard in the automatic examples. Overall, the V8 Vantage S design looks much sportier and more exciting than the standard model. In 2016, the V8 Vantage S got the new redesigned dashboard found in other Aston Martin models, plus new, more comfortable and better looking seats. This time the seats were mainly finished in standard leather with “Vantage S” embossing and interesting contrasting stitching patterns.
For the 2012 model year, both the V8 Vantage S and the V8 Vantage got a noticeable facelift. That said, the V8 Vantage S design in the front was slightly more aggressive. It got a lower front bumper with a more pronounced splitter painted in contrasting black. All models also got new LED daytime running lights while the rear saw the most changes. The V8 Vantage S design of the rear bumper changed and it was the same on the standard model. A much more aggressive diffuser while the bumper was painted black in the center. The trunk lid was now a duck tail spoiler which made the rear look much more interesting and aggressive. Overall, the design was both more modern and much sportier than before.
The Vantage facelift of 2012 debuted with the V8 Vantage S but it didn’t bring any new driver aids or pioneering technologies. It did get an updated infotainment system but even so, it was still outdated at the time as it was the old Volvo unit. The facelift and the V8 Vantage S technology did include the new transmission, new brakes, Bilstein struts and an upgraded dry sump lubrication system for the new 4.7 V8. But apart from that, the V8 Vantage S is largely the same as the old models.
A brand new V8 Vantage S would have set its owner back around $135,000 back in 2013/2014. But unlike its bigger brothers, even in the worst case scenarios the Vantage had lost less than 50% of its value. So, how much is a V8 Vantage S worth today? Finding good examples is fairly easy and they cost anywhere between $70,000 and $90,000 depending on the specifications and condition. The S is on average 10-15% more expensive than the standard V8 Vantage.
In the end, the V8 Vantage S is a noticeable improvement over the standard model, and generally speaking, the Vantage offers a great driving experience. And although the prices are still relatively high, the V8 Vantage S has a lot more demand than the DBS and the DB9 so it’s only natural. In case you are looking to buy a Vantage or any other luxury car, Exotic Car Trader will help you out. The entire buying process is made much safer with the Exotic Car Trader escrow protection, delivery and first inspection. It’s also the most convenient method of buying cars. The same goes if you are selling a car through Exotic Car Trader. To conclude this Aston Martin V8 Vantage S review, the best we can say is that its V8 engine is an attack on all senses unlike the modern turbocharged units and it offers a unique experience rarely found anywhere else.
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