Aston V8 boost
First-generation Aston Martin V8 Vantage gets performance upgrade
Owners of 4.3-litre Aston Martin V8 Vantages can now bring their car's performance much closer to that of the newer, 4.7-litre car. The retro-fit kit ups power and torque by 20bhp and 8lb ft, taking total output and twist to 400bhp and 310lb ft.
It means top speed rises to 177mph and 0-60mph drops to around 5sec, figures which are just a whisker away from the bigger engined, upgraded Vantage that went on sale this year at £85,000. The changes include a remapped ECU, which also allows higher octane fuels to be maximised, as well as a revised induction system from the DBS that pushes more air into the engine.
The Sports Pack from the current Vantage is also available, which stiffens the springs, adds Bilstein dampers and forged aluminium five-spoke alloys that reduce the car's unsprung weight and boost its dynamic qualities.
Like the performance upgrade, it can be easily retro-fitted, with price and availability details at Aston Martin dealers now.