Hotter Aston Martin Vantage S Caught Testing
A prototype believed to be for the Aston Martin Vantage S has been spotted testing not far from the Nurburgring in Germany.
This prototype looks exactly like a regular Vantage, save for the quad-tip exhaust sticking out of the back. The regular Vantage has a twin-tip setup, so the two extra pipes suggest this prototype is for a hotter Vantage variant.
The Vantage S is probably not too far away, making us confident that this prototype is a development mule for it. The previous Vantage S had a slight power and torque increase over the standard version, along with stiffened suspension, retuned steering and a 66 lb weight reduction. We’re expecting a similar treatment for this new version, with the AMG-sourced twin-turbo V8 engine likely being boosted to around 510 hp or more.
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Aston Martin is also working on a six-speed manual version of the Vantage, which will be released next summer. Speaking to Road & Track, Aston Martin chief engineer Matt Becker explained that the integration of the six-speed manual into the Vantage won’t be easy, as the AMG engine isn’t paired to a manual in any other car.
“The 4.0-liter AMG engine doesn’t come with a manual anywhere else. So, actually, to integrate a manual into it is not without it’s challenges,” Becker said. “The software doesn’t exist so you have to create your own software. The driveline system doesn’t exist so you have to create your own.”
Look for the new Vantage S to debut sometime in 2019.
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Sam McEachern holds a diploma in journalism from St. Clair College in Windsor, Ontario, and has been covering the automotive industry for over 5 years. He conducts reviews and writes AutoGuide's news content. He's a die-hard motorsports fan with a passion for performance cars of all sorts.
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