Skip advert
Advertisement

The Aston Martin Vantage V600's twin supercharged V8 - Art of Speed

Aston's supercharged V8 was for a time the most powerful engine on sale

Aston Martin Vantage V600

They’ll tell you the most potent Aston Martin Vantage is the new GT12. Wrong. The ‘V600’ Vantage, class of ’98, pips the fresher by 8bhp and hammers it for intimidation. The GT12 is not the lesser car – far from it (see evo 214). It’s just that the old-timer has 600bhp and 600lb ft, no aerodynamic aids to speak of and, on early cars, sod all electronic stability control software should two tons of steel, aluminium and testosterone go loco.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The two don’t stand serious comparison, of course. One is a paean to power while the other is more concerned with its effective use. But whichever their preference, petrolheads’ faces never fail to scrunch up in approval at the older car’s way of doing things.

The V600 project started shortly after Aston’s engineers had given us at the time the world’s most powerful production car: the 550bhp Vantage ‘V550’. Traction would evaporate during 90mph gearchanges in the dry, but still some customers weren’t sated. Thus a post-registration option package that side-stepped type approval emerged from the Works Service department, but boy would you need the readies.  The conversion cost £43,000 on top of the donor car’s £189,950.

> New 2018 Aston Martin Vantage review - Vantage leaves an impressive first impression

Skip advert
Advertisement
Advertisement - Article continues below

Included were six-piston AP brakes said to dissipate enough energy during a 200mph stop to heat a pensioner’s flat for a fortnight. Hollow-spoked magnesium alloys were chosen, which meant marketing could unscrupulously deploy the term ‘lightweight’. Behind said wheels were Eibach springs and Koni adjustable dampers. The gearbox was from a Corvette ZR1, only with shortened ratios and a blanked-off sixth gear. It wouldn’t be missed: fifth gave a theoretical top speed of 221mph…

Out of context, the 5340cc quad-cam V8 could pass for a galactic dreadnought flanked by planet-destroying plasma cannons, but in situ the hand-built reality was appreciably better. About a block prepared by Callaway were two Roots-style superchargers from Eaton, a re-engineered cooling system and an extra intercooler radiator. They helped elevate Tadek Marek’s 30-year-old engine design to heights the chassis couldn’t really cope with. Nobody cared.

Regalia? Well, not especially. There was a carbonfibre engine cover, which in fairness was a pretty big deal at the time, and some lovely gold badges, and that was it. But even dormant this was an engine that radiated supremacy, espoused the industrial and hummed with a hard beauty. Was there ever a tool better suited to the job?

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Aston Martin Vantage 2024 review – the best Aston in years
Aston Martin Vantage 2024 track
Reviews

Aston Martin Vantage 2024 review – the best Aston in years

The junior Aston Martin has been thoroughly reengineered. It’s not so junior any more 
10 Sep 2024
Aston Martin Vantage GT4 revealed – less weight, slick tyres and more aero
Aston Martin Vantage GT4 – front
News

Aston Martin Vantage GT4 revealed – less weight, slick tyres and more aero

Aston has unveiled its Vantage-based GT4 race car, and it’ll be hunting for class wins at endurance events this year
27 Feb 2024
New Aston Martin Vantage has Porsche’s 911 Turbo in its sights
2024 Aston Martin Vantage
News

New Aston Martin Vantage has Porsche’s 911 Turbo in its sights

The Vantage has received a thorough overhaul for 2024, with more power and performance, the very latest chassis technology and a fresh new design both…
12 Feb 2024
The new Aston Martin Vantage GT3 is targeting Le Mans glory
Aston Martin Vantage GT3 – front
News

The new Aston Martin Vantage GT3 is targeting Le Mans glory

Aston’s new GT3 challenger will compete in the world’s most prestigious endurance races in 2024 – including Le Mans
12 Feb 2024
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Toyota GR86 Fast Fleet test – three months in the budget sports coupe
evo Fast Fleet Toyota GR86
Long term tests

Toyota GR86 Fast Fleet test – three months in the budget sports coupe

It shines in shorter tests, but what’s the GR86 like to live with day-in, day-out? We now have the answer
1 Nov 2024
Mercedes-AMG A45 S 2024 review – still a foil for the Audi RS3?
Mercedes-AMG A45 S front
Reviews

Mercedes-AMG A45 S 2024 review – still a foil for the Audi RS3?

Big hitting AMG A45 S hyper-hatch gets the mildest of facelifts but still packs a heavyweight punch 
1 Nov 2024
Circuito do Sol is Europe’s new racing track, inspired by the Nürburgring
Circuito do Sol
News

Circuito do Sol is Europe’s new racing track, inspired by the Nürburgring

Brand new circuit in Portugal offers corners inspired by the world’s best tracks, and villas and track cars for hire
4 Nov 2024