Aston Martin Differences?

[Michael]

Ok, I love Aston Martin and know a lot about their cars in identifying them, however, I am having some issues especially after watching Casino Royale. In the movie they have the DBS which is is a new model of some sort, or is it a sport version of another AM?

For example, they have the Vanquish, DB9, and Vantage.

The DB9 and Vantage look extremely similiar and I wonder if they share the same chassis. The DBS, Casino Royale movie car, is a new AM or an upgraded DB9 or Vantage?

Thanks in advance.

 

[vabboud]

DBS is an upgraded DB9 by all means possible although it has warranted a new appelation

 

[Osnabrueck]

Thanks for bringing this up Michael. I've been wondering the same thing.

Could somebody please put the Aston Martin range "in order" from top to bottom, noting the key differences and price points? I get all the cars mixed up!

 

[Bruce]

Hope this helps


-The DB9 uses an automatic gearbox system with sequential mode where as the Vanquish has no automatic mode whatsoever. The DB9 comes standard with the two setting gearbox made by ZF, while you can order a 6 speed manual made by Graziano . The V8 Vantage is standard with a 6 speed box made by Graziano and can now be ordered with a sequential system like the DB9.

-The Vanquish has a steel chassis, the DB9 and V8 Vantage both have aluminum space frame chassis

-The DB9 and Vanquish can be ordered with four seats, they come standard with 2, the V8 Vantage only has 2 seats.





V8 Vantage - Bottom line, figures on optional Pirelli Tyres

4.3 litre V8, DOHC 4VPC
385PS @ 7,000 rpm
410Nm (302lb-ft) of torque @ 5,000 rpm
Maxinum Redline: 7,500
Kerbweight: 1636kg
VMAX: 280 km/h
0-100 km/h: 5.5
0-160 km/h: 11.8
0-200 km/h: 18.8
Hockenheim Time: 1:14.8
18 Metre Slalom: 68.4 km/h
Price: 104.965 Euro

Dimensions:

Length: 172.5 inches
Width: 73.5 inches
Height: 49.4 inches
Wheelbase: 102.4 inches


DB9: - Mid Level

6.0 litre V12, DOHC 4VPC
457PS @ 5,750 rpm
570Nm (420lb-ft) @ 5,000 rpm
Maxinum Redline: 6,000 rpm
Kerbweight: 1847kg
VMAX: 300 km/h
0-100 km/h: 5.3
0-160 km/h: 11.2
0-200 km/h: 16.5
Hockenheim Time: 1:17.7
18 Metre Slalom: 67.2 km/h
Price: 148,200 Euro


Dimensions:


Length: 185.4 inches
Width: 73.8 inches
Height: 50.0 inches
Wheelbase: 107.9


Vanquish S - flagship

6.0 litre V12, DOHC 4VPC
528PS @ 5,750 rpm
577Nm (425lb-ft) @ 5,800 rpm
Maxinum Redline: 7,000 rpm
Kerbweight: 1900kg
VMAX: 317 km/h
0-100 km/h: 5.2
0-160 km/h: 10.6
0-200 km/h: 16.4
Hockenheim Time: 1:17.8
18 Metre Slalom: 65.7 km/h
Price: 255,000 Euro

Dimensions:

Length: 183.7 inches
Width: 75.7 inches
Height: 51.9 inches
Wheelbase: 105.9 inches

 

[vabboud]

well basically it's
2 seaters:

AMV8 Vantage 4.3 V8, 380 hp, 4.8s, 82000bp
AMV8 cabrio
DB9 coupe 6.0 V12, 450hp, 4.7s, 109750bp
Db9cabrio6.0 V12, 450hp, 4.7s, 118750bp
DBScoupe

2+2:

Vanquish S 6.0 V12, 520hp, 4.8s, 177100bp

all 2 seaters share similar design especially at the rear
the vantage is the smallest which shows in engines (V8) and wheelbase

it is a gradual rise through the Db9 to the vanquish

prices according to top gear in brittain but this should give an idea
i don't have numbers for the Vantage cabrio yet

there used to be a vanquish (without S) at slightly cheaper, with the 450hp V12, it seems it has been axed in favor of the S model

 

[vabboud]

dang, compare what i wrote to the info of 7.3 AMG

i should consider retiring

 

[Bruce]

Hope this helps


-The DB9 uses an automatic gearbox system with sequential mode where as the Vanquish has no automatic mode whatsoever. The DB9 comes standard with the two setting gearbox made by ZF, while you can order a 6 speed manual made by Graziano . The V8 Vantage is standard with a 6 speed box made by Graziano and can now be ordered with a sequential system like the DB9.

-The Vanquish has a steel chassis, the DB9 and V8 Vantage both have aluminum space frame chassis

-The DB9 and Vanquish can be ordered with four seats, they come standard with 2, the V8 Vantage only has 2 seats.





V8 Vantage - Bottom line, figures on optional Pirelli Tyres

4.3 litre V8, DOHC 4VPC
385PS @ 7,000 rpm
410Nm (302lb-ft) of torque @ 5,000 rpm
Maxinum Redline: 7,500
Kerbweight: 1636kg
VMAX: 280 km/h
0-100 km/h: 5.5
0-160 km/h: 11.8
0-200 km/h: 18.8
Hockenheim Time: 1:14.8
18 Metre Slalom: 68.4 km/h
Price: 104.965 Euro

Dimensions:

Length: 172.5 inches
Width: 73.5 inches
Height: 49.4 inches
Wheelbase: 102.4 inches


DB9: - Mid Level

6.0 litre V12, DOHC 4VPC
457PS @ 5,750 rpm
570Nm (420lb-ft) @ 5,000 rpm
Maxinum Redline: 6,000 rpm
Kerbweight: 1847kg
VMAX: 300 km/h
0-100 km/h: 5.3
0-160 km/h: 11.2
0-200 km/h: 16.5
Hockenheim Time: 1:17.7
18 Metre Slalom: 67.2 km/h
Price: 148,200 Euro


Dimensions:


Length: 185.4 inches
Width: 73.8 inches
Height: 50.0 inches
Wheelbase: 107.9


Vanquish S - flagship

6.0 litre V12, DOHC 4VPC
528PS @ 5,750 rpm
577Nm (425lb-ft) @ 5,800 rpm
Maxinum Redline: 7,000 rpm
Kerbweight: 1900kg
VMAX: 317 km/h
0-100 km/h: 5.2
0-160 km/h: 10.6
0-200 km/h: 16.4
Hockenheim Time: 1:17.8
18 Metre Slalom: 65.7 km/h
Price: 255,000 Euro

Dimensions:

Length: 183.7 inches
Width: 75.7 inches
Height: 51.9 inches
Wheelbase: 105.9 inches

I just want to add to this - the DB9 Sports Package

From an outside glance there is little is to separate it from the standard, noticeably there is a new 5 spoke alloy ; the new alloy is forged from aluminum and benefit from titanium lug nuts. The result of the titanium nuts cuts 1kg for each corner of the car.

However it's what you can not see are the items which improve the DB9 ten-fold. The basic ride height has been lowered by 6mm, on another note the front springs increases stiffness by 68 percent and the rear's by 64 percent. A rather big surprise is that the undertray diffuser has been replaced so that Aston could forge the floor of the undertray from aluminum and as a result torsional stiffness increases.

 

[Michael]

Woah! I am still confused.

OK, the DBS is the top of the line before the Vanquish? Isn't the Vanquish old already? It's bulky and somewhat ugly compared to the new AM lines.

I like the Vantage and I thought it was higer up than the DB9 because of it's sportiness. The Db9 is very elegant when compared to the vantage.

So, in order from low to high is it

Vantage
DB9
DBS
Vanquish
?


So the DBS is the epitomy of the lineup? Basically the M3 of the DB9 or is there no relation?

What are the specs on the DBS

 

[vabboud]

yes sir you are right as per my modest addenda to AMG's massive data

 

[Bruce]

Woah! I am still confused.

OK, the DBS is the top of the line before the Vanquish? Isn't the Vanquish old already? It's bulky and somewhat ugly compared to the new AM lines.

As far as i know the Vanquish is being put out of production, so the DBS when it comes out, as a limited production model it will take the flagship spot.

I like the Vantage and I thought it was higer up than the DB9 because of it's sportiness. The Db9 is very elegant when compared to the vantage.

Nope, the V8 Vantage is the base model, aimed at the 911 buyer, but make no mistake it is the most sporty vehicle of the Aston Martin line up.

What are the specs on the DBS

I don't believe there are any official specifications yet but you can expect about 500bhp.

 

[Bruce]

Michael, some more info on the DBS here

 

[Michael]

Thank you Bruce and vabboud

What is most interesting in the CR movie is that the rear has white lights, a little bit of red, but the majority is white. In the pictures it seems as if they do not have the same rear lights as seen in the movie.

 

[Mr. M]

Thank you Bruce and vabboud

What is most interesting in the CR movie is that the rear has white lights, a little bit of red, but the majority is white. In the pictures it seems as if they do not have the same rear lights as seen in the movie.

Thanks for pointing that out, I noticed it too.

The Vanquish seems like it is in a sorry state - it was threatened first by the DB9, and now is even going to be replaced by the DBS...

 

[Michael]

Thanks for pointing that out, I noticed it too.

The Vanquish seems like it is in a sorry state - it was threatened first by the DB9, and now is even going to be replaced by the DBS...

The Vanquish is still a beautiful car, but it seems to bulky and especially for a Bond car. I think the DB9 better suits Bond and all other spys

 

[Top Secret]

I have heard several rumours that the Aston Martin DBS, seen in 007: Casino Royale is slated to become a road-legal version of their DBRS9 race car when it reaches production. Not necessarily a Vanquish-replacement, but rather a sportier, angrier DB9 with a new name, essentially giving Aston Martin a two-pronged approach to their flagship range: luxury and sports.

The largest degree of separation between the V8 Vantage/DB9 and the Vanquish are their platforms. Unless I'm very much mistaken, the V8 Vantage, DB9 and the upcoming DBS and Rapide use the same, "VH" platform. On the oher hand, the Vanquish makes do with the old Jaguar XJS-derived DB7 platform.

 

[Ultimate Car Guy]

I don't know what others may think, but i reckon Aston Martin is following BMW's 80s and 90s design direction; "Same sausage but different size". All their cars look the same- albeit they're all beautiful- but are just different sizes.

 

[Michael]

I have heard several rumours that the Aston Martin DBS, seen in 007: Casino Royale is slated to become a road-legal version of their DBRS9 race car when it reaches production. Not necessarily a Vanquish-replacement, but rather a sportier, angrier DB9 with a new name, essentially giving Aston Martin a two-pronged approach to their flagship range: luxury and sports.

The largest degree of separation between the V8 Vantage/DB9 and the Vanquish are their platforms. Unless I'm very much mistaken, the V8 Vantage, DB9 and the upcoming DBS and Rapide use the same, "VH" platform. On the oher hand, the Vanquish makes do with the old Jaguar XJS-derived DB7 platform.

That is very interesting that you mention that. I think that Aston Martin may begin to grow as a company even if it is just a little. I think 'rebooting' their line up, as indicated here, is exactly what they may need in order to better define themselves. Aston Martin will always be the elegant sports car that you see on the street. This is a quality that Ferrari nor Lamborghini can share.

I don't know what others may think, but i reckon Aston Martin is following BMW's 80s and 90s design direction; "Same sausage but different size". All their cars look the same- albeit they're all beautiful- but are just different sizes.

I am not to aquainted with the design behind the BMW's that you mention. I guess further research will yield a better understanding. Nevertheless, your statement is quite interesting and I hope others with better knowledge than me entertain it.