Aston Martin V8 Vantage Coupe (2008) CAR review

It might look exactly the same, but there's a new 4.7-litre V8 in this Aston Martin Vantage. The suspension, steering, interior and transmission  of the V8 Vantage has also been significantly revised. The revisions push the V8 Vantage’s price from £83,000 to £85,000.

This new Aston Martin V8 Vantage still looks the same to me.

If you’ve already got a Vantage you’ll be pleased to hear that the new model is indeed identical on the outside. Step inside, however, and you’ll notice that the centre console has been tweaked to look much like the DBS with its so-called Emotional Control Unit and theatrical push-the-key-in-the-slot start-up procedure.

There are also some useful extras including iPod and MP3 integration and a 30GB hard disc drive sat-nav that replaces the previous DVD-based system. The comfy leather seats remain but you’ll still notice that a little more support wouldn’t go amiss through quicker corners.

And it still sounds great, right?

Yes indeed. The bypass valve in the exhaust still opens at around 4000rpm, so it still has that head-turning, whip-crack soundtrack. Previously it sounded better than it went, but now the 4.3-litre V8 has been bored and stroked to 4.7-litres. The bore goes up from 89mm to 91mm thanks to new pistons and cylinder liners, while the stroke is upped from 86 to 91mm with an all-new crankshaft.

That translates to 420bhp and 346lb ft (up from 380bhp and 302lb ft respectively) and much more urgent progress on the road. There’s instant shove as soon as you drop the accelerator, and one long progressive rush to beyond 7000rpm.

A very unscientific test against a hard-charging E92 V8 M3 on the autobahn suggested the Aston had the legs on the BMW from 60mph until traffic intervened at around 160mph. And the M3 isn’t slow!

Click 'Next' below to read more of our Aston Martin V8 Vantage first drive