De Aston Martin V8 Vantage is a British grand tourer, a more powerful version of the Aston Martin V8. Upon its introduction in 1977, it was hailed as “Britain’s First Supercar”. The Aston Martin V8 engine had proven itself as a reliable and robust block, and it was clear that there was sufficient room for a significant increase in the horsepower this block could deliver.
Aston Martin V8 1977
The Aston Martin V8 Vantage was announced on February 18, 1977. Revised camshafts, airbox, larger intake valves and carburetors, new intake manifolds, and different plugs gave the engine 40% more power and 10% more torque. The same ZF manual gearbox as in the V8 Saloon was standard. This was enough to achieve a top speed of approximately 260 km/h and accelerate from 0 to 100 in 5.2 seconds.
Interior of the 1977 Aston Martin V8 Vantage
The increase in power also meant that aerodynamic improvements had to be implemented. These included a spoiler on the tail and a deep spoiler under the nose. The company's top model between 1979 and 1988 is popular among collectors.
