Apr 9, 2003 5:32:46 PM
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Ron (Houston)
- Rennteam Moderator
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- Loc: Houston, TX , United States
- Posts: 8812, Gallery
- Registered on: Apr 10, 2002
Next generation Aston Martin - DB5
WEDNESDAY APRIL 9, 2003
. Astons baby caught on test
. From concept Vantage V8 to production DB5
WHAT HAD BEEN shown as a concept at this year's Detroit Motor Show, is now put through its paces to become the smallest and cheapest Aston Martin in the company's history: the V8 Vantage, code-named AM 305, is currently undergoing cold-weather testing in northern Sweden.
Although the coupé might be Aston Martin's most affordable model ever, it is still not a cheap thing but a serious competitor against the smaller Ferraris and the Porsche Turbo. In any case, it will retain the typical design of the marque, again penned by Aston's in-house design-team lead by Ian Callum.
Powered by a 4.3-litre supercharged V8 engine, the car is likely to develop more than 450 HP. That in combination with its lightweight carbon fibre and aluminium construction will lead to breathtaking performance. The sprint from standstill to 100 km/h won't even take five seconds... The car will be rear-wheel driven and the chassis is said to be very refined to take on two of the best-handling road cars around: the Ferrari 360 and Porsche 911.
Buyers will have the choice between two transmissions: a sequential automatic similar to that of the Vanquish and a conventional six-speed manual box. Due to be launched in 2005, the two-seater coupé from Newport Pagnell in the United Kingdom will cost around 110,000 Euros. Aston Martin says it has the capacity to build around 2,000 units per year which would make the AM305 the fastest-selling model of the company of all times. The official name for the new car is likely to be DB 5.
____________________
FACTS:
. 4.3-litre V8
. supercharged
. V8 engine,
. More than 450 HP
. 0-100: Less than 5 sec.
. Around 110,000 Euros
. Astons baby caught on test
. From concept Vantage V8 to production DB5
WHAT HAD BEEN shown as a concept at this year's Detroit Motor Show, is now put through its paces to become the smallest and cheapest Aston Martin in the company's history: the V8 Vantage, code-named AM 305, is currently undergoing cold-weather testing in northern Sweden.
Although the coupé might be Aston Martin's most affordable model ever, it is still not a cheap thing but a serious competitor against the smaller Ferraris and the Porsche Turbo. In any case, it will retain the typical design of the marque, again penned by Aston's in-house design-team lead by Ian Callum.
Powered by a 4.3-litre supercharged V8 engine, the car is likely to develop more than 450 HP. That in combination with its lightweight carbon fibre and aluminium construction will lead to breathtaking performance. The sprint from standstill to 100 km/h won't even take five seconds... The car will be rear-wheel driven and the chassis is said to be very refined to take on two of the best-handling road cars around: the Ferrari 360 and Porsche 911.
Buyers will have the choice between two transmissions: a sequential automatic similar to that of the Vanquish and a conventional six-speed manual box. Due to be launched in 2005, the two-seater coupé from Newport Pagnell in the United Kingdom will cost around 110,000 Euros. Aston Martin says it has the capacity to build around 2,000 units per year which would make the AM305 the fastest-selling model of the company of all times. The official name for the new car is likely to be DB 5.
____________________
FACTS:
. 4.3-litre V8
. supercharged
. V8 engine,
. More than 450 HP
. 0-100: Less than 5 sec.
. Around 110,000 Euros
