2018 Aston Martin Vantage Tantalizingly Teased
Aston’s smallest sports car is getting a new set of sexy clothes.
The Aston Martin Vantage, is without question, our favorite production car on sale today. Specifically the V12 S variety. As the only widely available production car with a V12 and a clutch pedal, it is the last bastion of old-world petrol-head traditions. But the current Vantage, as much as we love it, is ancient. It’s been on sale for more than decade now, but the team at Gaydon is finally going to grace us with a new one. And if these new teaser shots posted up by Motor Authority are anything to go buy, it’s going to be a stunner.
There was a small kerfuffle when the DB10 was revealed to be a special model built for the “Spectre” James Bond film. That Kerfuffle got a bit bigger when the DB11 arrived and it looked almost nothing like the sexy DB10. Well it seems that move was made so that Aston could shrink down that DB10 design and slap some Vantage badges on it. Seriously, look at these spies. This new Vantage is a carbon copy of the DB10 with smaller hips and revised jaw.
The current Vantage is far from ugly, but we are more than ready to see some new visual distinction added to the Aston lineup. Instead of selling the same car is small, medium, and large sizes, Aston will have a proper automotive lineup.
But now for the potentially bad part. The only confirmed engine slated for the new Vantage is AMG-sourced 4.0-liter V8. We have hope that the 5.2L V12 will make the move eventually, but we can’t say for certain. Aston CEO Andy Palmer has said the company will be the last on earth offer a manual sports car, so the new V8 Vantage will offer the option of a clutch. But back to the non-confirmed V12. When will it arrive? Will it still have a clutch? Will Aston Martin still be the one and only way to get a manual-transmission V12?
Please don’t break our hearts, Andy Palmer. Our wallet is not large enough to purchase one, and we know that a company has to make money, but we will beg on our knees if that’s what it takes. Just knowing that someone could buy a new V12 with a third-pedal makes our heart swell with joy.
