The DB9’s replacement with the recently unveiled DB11 jump-started Aston Martin’s plan to freshen up its line-up, with the next car on the list being the V8 Vantage.
That’s because the British car manufacturer plans to end the V8 Vantage’s 11-year career by next year. Sure, we already knew Andy Palmer, Aston’s current CEO, is cooking an aggressive product offensive which will involve launching the aforementioned model and a brand new Vanquish by 2018; but while the Vanquish will stick to the original plan, the future V8 Vantage – which will be powered by an AMG sourced twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 engine – will actually make its debut in 2017.
Moreover, it will be definitely offered with both manual and automatic transmissions, as Palmer stated in an interview with Car and Driver:
“I’ve already gone on the record saying I want to be the last manufacturer in the world to offer a manual sports car.”
The CEO wen on explaining that a dual clutch option adds weight and complexity: “They can’t do anything that a well-tuned automatic can’t.”
Palmer also confirmed that other Aston models could benefit from AMG’s engine’s (acknowledging that there may be interest for a V8-powered DB11 in some parts of the world), although he prefers to offer one engine in each model. Hope that doesn’t mean no future V12-powered Vantage, though.
Other long-term plans for Aston’s future incorporates a seven car-model line-up, including the DB11, Vantage and Vanquish replacements – as the DB11’s twin-turbo V12 has more than enough grunt left in it to spawn some pretty powerful performance models – as well as the DBX. So, what about the other three?