Spy Shots: Aston Martin Vantage Facelift

By Nelson Ireson

4 3,449 views Feb 8, 2010

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Spy Shots: Aston Martin Vantage facelift

Aston Martin is on a roll of late, the latest creation its four-door masterpiece, the Rapide. While that car has its quirks, it's certainly one of the most attractive four-door sports cars in existence. Last year, the company shoe-horned a brawny V-12 engine into the Vantage, taking the car's performance to a new level. Now Aston martin is preparing a facelift of its Vantage grand tourer, captured in these spy shots.

The car spied is something of a mule, wearing the minimally-vented hood and smooth side skirts of the V8 Vantage, but otherwise wearing the aggressive carbon lip spoiler, larger rear spoiler and carbon rear diffuser of the V-12 Vantage.

It's not clear what powerplant is under the hood, though it may be a V-12, as the cold-weather environment where the testing is taking place may help make up for the lack of active hood vents. On the other hand, it may be a V-8-powered Vantage wearing a more aggressive treatment, pointing the way forward for the car's facelift.

Whichever powerplant is under the hood, it's not likely to have received any updates, as the V-8 updates from the 2009 model year--a bump to 4.7-liters and 420 horsepower, up from 4.3-liters and 380 horsepower previously--are expected to suffice until a more complete redesign in several years' time. The 510-horsepower V-12, having just been introduced last year, is likewise staying put.

Other features notable in these spy shots include new 10-spoke 19-inch wheels, Kevlar and carbon fiber seats that save about 35 pounds over the standard units and a 1,000-watt Bang & Olufsen stereo system.