The Aston Martin DB7 Vantage
10 January 2000
New High Technology 420 horsepower 6.0 litre V12 from Aston Martin
DETROIT, Jan. 10 -- A Vantage model of the Aston Martin DB7,
with a maximum speed in excess of 180 mph (290km/h) powered by a totally new,
high technology 420 horsepower 6.0 litre V12 Aston Martin engine which
incorporates a wide-ranging series of advanced design features is appearing
for the first time at the North American International Auto Show.
This new and additional model of the DB7 which has been designed and
developed specifically to provide exceptional and outstanding levels of power
and performance will accelerate to 60 mph (100km/h) in less than 5.0 seconds.
There is a choice of either a six speed close ratio manual transmission,
which is unique to the Vantage DB7, or a five speed ZF automatic which permits
the driver to select individual ratios through a floor mounted shift-lever or
through the Touchtronic push button operated electronic control system. With
the six speed transmission the DB7 Vantage has a maximum speed of 185mph
(298km/h) while the automatic derivative has a governed maximum speed of
165mph (266km/h).
"The Aston Martin DB7 is the most successful Aston Martin of all-time,"
says Mr. Robert Dover, Chairman and Chief Executive of Aston Martin Lagonda.
"In its Vantage form this latest DB7 has been designed to provide its owner
with unparalleled levels of power, performance and driving satisfaction. It
complements the existing range of 335 horsepower six cylinder supercharged DB7
models which continue to be available." In the United States the price of the
Coupe is $140,000 and that for the Volante, $150,000.
The DB7 Vantage, available in both Coupe and Volante body styles, is the
first ever Aston Martin to be powered by a 12 cylinder engine and is being
offered for sale to customers in 31 different countries throughout the world.
The new 420 horsepower, 48 valve, all-alloy V12 engine delivers 400lbs ft
of torque and is the first of a totally new generation of advanced technology
Aston Martin power units which are already capable of exceeding the most
stringent of current and projected emission standards.
It incorporates the latest in Formula I technology and has been designed
and developed in close cooperation with the Ford Research and Vehicle
Technology Group and Cosworth Technology as part of a long-term and continuing
programme to research and develop new designs, materials and manufacturing
techniques for implementation by Aston Martin. Features include an engine
oil/water heat exchanger to improve cooling efficiency and an ionised gas
misfire detection system.
Employing the world's most advanced manufacturing techniques, the special
lightweight aluminium alloy castings for the cylinder block and heads are
produced in Cosworth Technology's limited production foundry which is also
responsible for casting the Ford Cosworth V10 CRI Formula I and turbocharged
Indycar V8 engines.
The 60 degree V12 Aston Martin engine, which is designed to operate at a
maximum speed of 7000rpm, features four valves per cylinder, twin overhead
camshafts for each bank of cylinders and a sophisticated Visteon electronic
management system which has the capacity to process 1.6 million commands per
second and monitors and controls fuel injection, ignition strategy, traction
control, vehicle security, exhaust emissions and the engine's diagnostic
system.
The introduction of the DB7 Vantage is the direct result of a concentrated
24 months design and development programme whose stringent and challenging
objectives have been achieved without compromise through the use of
accelerated "Fast Track" programme techniques.
The painstaking and exhaustive programme has included a complete appraisal
of all aspects of the design and the dynamics of the DB7. More than 500,000
test miles have been covered in temperatures ranging from -30 degrees C to +45
degrees C in Europe and North America during the past 12 months including an
accelerated high speed durability test of 48 hours continuous running at 165
mph in Southern Europe in mid-summer temperatures.
In Britain a series of pre-production models of the DB7 Vantage were
subjected to continuous 30 day accelerated durability tests at the Motor
Industry Research Association's Proving Ground, each equivalent to 100,000
miles of regular driving. Halting only for refueling and routine analysis the
V12 coupes and Volantes were driven day and night at a range of speeds from
one to 140mph. The test cycles included regular passage through mud and salt
baths, driving deliberately into traffic island kerbstones at 50mph and a
series of fierce stop-start acceleration and brake tests. Body chassis
components were tested to the limit over corrugated and ladder frame surfaces
and specially engineered tracks littered with pot holes and strategically
placed concrete blocks.
The Brembo brake system, with Teves four channel electronic anti-lock
control, has ventilated cross drilled 355mm diameter discs at the front and
330mm diameter discs at the rear. It has been designed and tailored
specifically to cater for the exceptional power and performance of the Vantage
DB7.
The distinctive new multi-spoke 18ins diameter aluminium alloy road wheels
have been developed especially for the DB7 Vantage. There are 9ins width rims
at the rear and 8ins rims at the front, equipped with ZR rated 265/35
Bridgestone SO2 tyres for the rear wheels and 245/40 SO2 tyres for the front.
The advanced traction control system monitors and analyses the performance
of each individual road wheel on a continuing basis. In the event of wheel
spin or slippage it will apply a correction within 64 milliseconds by reducing
the power output of the engine and if necessary, activating the rear brake
system.
Both the front and rear suspension systems of the Vantage DB7 have been
developed specifically for this new 185mph model to optimise the precise
handling which is a feature of all DB7 models.
At the front there are new upper and lower wishbones in while there is an additional horizontal linkage
incorporated in the independent rear suspension. New design Bilstein shock
absorbers in conjunction with higher rate springs are included in both the
front and rear suspension systems.
In order to accommodate the V12 engine and the new range of six speed
manual and five speed automatic transmissions a new design underbody has been
created for the DB7 Vantage. It includes a new front-end structure, an
enlarged transmission tunnel and increased strength and torsional rigidity for
the complete assembly. As with all other models of the Aston Martin DB7 the
new Vantage model exceeds by a wide margin all present day crash test
requirements.
Universally acknowledged as one of the World's Most Beautiful Cars and a
true Britiste international recognition and acclaim for its designer Ian Callum.
To satisfy the increased cooling demands of the larger and more powerful
engine of the DB7 Vantage, Ian has designed new and wider openings for the
radiator air intakes with a new bright metal design grille. There are new
front fog and turn indicator lamps reminiscent of the Project Endurance Racing
Cars of the 1960s and a new high mounted rear stop lamp. And to emphasize the
"supercar" performance of this new Aston Martin DB7 he has created a new
design impact absorbent front bumper, complementary design sill panels and a
new rear bumper system which accommodates the increased diameter exhaust tail
pipes.
Within the luxurious interior there are new heated, Connolly hide
upholstered front bucket seats with adjustable cushions, backrests and
headrests together with new design instruments. The Alpine stereo radio
cassette complements the large red separate engine start button which is
mounted prominently in the centre console unit close to the analogue clock.
Every Aston Martin is produced individually to satisfy the precise needs
and requirements of its future owner. Customers are provided with an infinite
choice of body colour and upholstery schemes and there is the opportunity to
specify alternative materials in place of the traditional wood veneers for the
instrument, centre console and door panels.
Traction control, a multi-track CD player, air conditioning, electrically
heated front seats, together with electrically heated rear screens and door
mirrors, twin airbags and a fully adjustable steering column are available for
all Aston Martin DB7s.
In addition customers may specify features as diverse as satellite
navigation, fitted luggage, an umbrella holder, parking sensors or an extended
luggage area in place of the rear seat which can even be supplied with
individual accommodation for the carriage of family pets.
"Even though it is possible to build only 600 DB7s each year this model
has already established new records of success for Aston Martin with
production topping the 3000 mark this week," said Robert Dover. "The DB7
Vantage enables us to appeal to an even greater number of potential purchasers
who are seeking exceptional power and performance and who, through the
ownership of an Aston Martin, will become members of one of the most exclusive
clubs in the world."
N.B. The Vantage name has been used by Aston Martin since 1950 to identify
the highest performance model in a particular range. It was first introduced
for the Aston Martin DB2 and was applied to the 120 horsepower derivatives of
this model's 2.6 litre six cylinder engine -- the regular version developed
105 horsepower. However unlike present day Aston Martin models the only
change to the regular specification of the DB2 was the increase in engine
power output. Since the DBS model in 1972 a Vantage derivative has included
changes to the specification of the brakes, steering and suspension to match
the improved performance.
Aston Martin DB7 Vantage Coupe & Volante
Specification
Engine: All alloy quad overhead cam 48 valve 5935cc V12. Compression
ratio 10.3:1. Visteon EEC V engine management controlling fuel injection,
ignition and diagnostics. Fully catalysed stainless steel exhaust system.
Transmission: Six speed manual with optional five speed automatic.
Limited slip differential.
Ratio 3.77:1 (man) 3.06:1 (auto)
Steering: Rack and pinion, power assisted 2.54 turns lock to lock.
Column tilt and reach adjustment.
Brakes: Front: Ventilated cross drilled steel discs 355mm diameter with
alloy four piston calipers. Rear: Ventilated steel discs 330mm diameter with
alloy four piston calipers and drum handbrake. Teves anti-lock braking
activation system (ABS).
Suspension: Front: Independent double wishbone incorporating anti-dive
geometry. Coil springs, monotube dampers and anti-roll bar. Rear:
Independent double wishbone incorporating longitudinal control arms, coil
springs, monotube dampers and anti-roll bar.
Body: Two door coupe or convertible body style with 2+2 seating. Steel
underframe and body panels. Composite front wings, sills, boot lid and front
and rear bumpers/aprons. Side impact protection in doors. Boot space of
0.178 cu m (6.14 cu ft).
Interior: Full Connolly leather interior. Electrically controlled front
seats incorporating seat heaters. Air conditioning, rear screen and mirror
heating, electronic traction control. Six speaker Kenwood stereo radio
cassette system with CD autochanger. Alarm and immobiliser system with remote
central locking and trunk release.
Wheels and Tyres: Unique lightweight aluminium alloy wheels 8J x 18
(front), 9J x 18 (rear), Bridgestone SO2 245/40 ZR18 tyres (front), 265/35
(rear)
Length: 4666mm.
Width: 1830 mm.
Height: 1238 mm (Coupe) 1260 mm (Volante).
Kerb Weight: 1780 kgs (Coupe) 1875 (Volante).
Wheelbase: 2591 mm.
Fuel tank capacity: 89 litres (Coupe) 82 litres (Volante), 95 RON
unleaded fuel only.
Maximum power: 309kW (420 bhp) @ 6000 rpm.
Maximum torque: 540 Nm (400 lb. ft) @ 5000 rpm.
Acceleration: 0 - 100 km/h (62 mph): 5.0 seconds (Manual Transmission).
Maximum speed: 298 km/h (185 mph) (Coupe) 266 km/h (165 mph) (Volante).