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Tailored Vantage S Roadster' Interior
Complimenting the taut
exterior, the tailored Vantage S Roadster' interior hints at the car's dynamic
capabilities, defined by a distinctive three-track stitch detail on the inside
of the doors and on the seats. A new folded leather design runs along the new
stitched tracks echoing the gills of a shark hinting at the power and agility of
the Vantage S.
The optional carbon fiber and Kevlar composite seats
cosset the driver providing support during spirited driving while remaining
comfortable on long journeys. Saving 38 lbs (17 kg) per car, the seats which are
manufactured by a supplier to the motorsport and aviation industries are
hand-trimmed by craftsmen and women at the Gaydon production facility.
Customers are able to specify an Obsidian Black full leather or Alcantara
trimmed steering wheel with a contrasting (leather only) or matching stitch.
Unique to the Vantage S is the option to specify the Piano Black Interior Pack
option which includes a Piano Black facia, center console and surround door
grabs and handles.
The Vantage S coupe and Roadster are hand built at
Aston Martin's global headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire alongside the V8
Vantage and V12 Vantage. Each Vantage S takes in excess of 185 man-hours to
build including 50 man-hours to paint and 70 man-hours to hand trim the
interior. Each car undergoes meticulous attention to detail in not only the
build phase but quality control and handover processes too.
More
Aggressive Engine
The 4.7-liter V8 engine has been modified to
deliver peak power of 430 hp at 7200 rpm and torque of 361 lb-ft (490 Nm) at
5000 rpm representing an increase of 10 hp and 15 lb-ft (20 Nm) respectively and
is signified with a black engine plenum. The increase has been achieved through
a valved air intake system and an aggressive spark strategy. The air intake
system valve opens above 3500 rpm to allow more air to flow into the engine,
which helps optimize performance at precisely the right part of the torque
curve. Aggressive spark strategy uses sophisticated electronics to ignite the
fuel in the engine at precisely the right time allowing it to run at its most
powerful. It can also recognize higher octane fuel and extract the optimum
performance from the increased rating.
The power and torque delivery on
the Vantage S is delivered at the most frequently used mid range engine speeds
which creates tractable and effortless acceleration. Most demand for power and
torque is in the mid-range which on the V8 Vantage S is where the greatest
torque is delivered at 5000 rpm.
Automated Transmission
Sportshift II is an automated manual transmission featuring a new seven speed
Graziano gearbox which is positioned at the back of the Vantage S on the
transaxle contributing to 49:51 near perfect weight balance. The system benefits
from a single manual clutch mated with electronic switching gear to change
ratios and was designed from the ground-up exclusively for the V8 Vantage S.
Aston Martin specifically chose to develop the Sportshift system owing to its
inherent sporting benefits including mass saving, low complexity of moving
parts, and real tangible gear changes. This contributes, along with other weight
saving parts, to a total vehicle weight reduction of 66 lbs (30 kg).
Electro-hydraulic controls are actuated via two steering column mounted
magnesium paddles allowing the driver to shift up or down. Quicker than a
conventional manual system, and at least 50kg lighter than a dual clutch system,
Sportshift II offers the inherent benefits of being able to drive in automatic
mode as well as shifting manually. Sportshift II is lighter than Sportshift
featured on the standard Vantage.
Sportshift II features seven ratios
allowing the first six gears to sit closer together taking advantage of the
engine's torque characteristic; this enhances the acceleration feel and gives
the driver increased control. The seventh gear is a longer ratio delivering a
quieter, more refined cruising gear for motorway stretches and also delivers
increased fuel economy.
Driver interaction with Sportshift II is made as
simple as possible to allow the driver to concentrate on the road ahead. Two
magnesium paddles allow an up or a down shift through the gears. The controls
are column-mounted so that the driver can always locate them with ease no matter
what position the steering wheel is in.
As well as selecting gears
manually with the paddle-shift, the driver is also able to select the 'D' button
on the facia to engage automatic mode which acts like a traditional automatic
gearbox changing gear at precisely the right time, making light work of urban,
traffic and motorway driving.
The new seven speed automated manual is
standard on the Vantage S perfectly suiting the sporting nature of the car.
Aston Martin has opted not to offer a manual transmission option owing to the
high expected demand of Sportshift II.
'Sport' Button
The
Vantage S Roadster' sporting character really comes into its own when the
'Sport' button on the facia is depressed giving the driver faster gear changes
in both manual and automatic (a decrease of 60 milliseconds) and prevents the
car changing up to the next gear when the revolution limit is reached. The
default 'normal' provides a more progressive, throttle response, suited to more
everyday situations, such as driving in urban areas, heavy traffic, or in
challenging weather conditions. Selecting 'Sport' mode delivers a sharper
throttle response together with a sportier exhaust note. This mode is designed
for use in more dynamic driving situations where sharper responses are required,
extracting the maximum performance from the car.
Aston Martin V8
Vantage S Roadster: Control
The Vantage S bridges the gap between the V8 Vantage and the
Vantage GT4 endurance race car offered by Aston Martin Racing. The standard
components of the Vantage platform lend themselves perfectly to competition and
produce a race-fit car with only minor modification. 2010 was the most
successful year yet setting the Vantage as the benchmark GT4 competition car: it
won its class at the Dubai 24 Hours following this up with further endurance
race wins at the Nürburgring 24 Hours, Silverstone 24 Hours and the Spa 24
Hours. However, it was the car's first major international championship victory
in the European GT4 Cup with Rhesus Racing that was the crowning of an excellent
year for the car. In 2011, the Vantage GT4 was updated to take advantage of the
increased aerodynamic benefits of the V12 Vantage and V8 Vantage S' body
styling.
With knowledge from the track filtering into Aston Martin's road
cars and the ease of driving them filtering onto the race track, the Vantage S
benefits from having its handling characteristics honed by the marque's
knowledgeable and talented engineers.
The steering rack has been modified
with a ratio of 15:1 compared to 17:1 on the standard Vantage lowering the
number of steering wheel turns lock-to-lock from 3.04 to 2.62. This results in
greater precision and improved agility, response and fluidity of handling, and
allows the driver to feel a closer connection to the car - delivering a more
engaging and energetic drive.
An upgraded braking system plays a central
role to the Vantage S' dynamics, with a new larger diameter front brake disc,
380mm compared to 355mm on the V8 Vantage, six piston front calipers and a new
generation of brake control module.
Aston Martin V8 Vantage S Roadster: Photo Gallery, Review (1/2) and Specifications