The Aston Martin DB7 Vantage
07 April 99
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 making its world debut at the 1999 Geneva Salon.
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 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. With the six speed transmission
the DB7 Vantage has a maximum speed of 185mph while the
automatic derivative has a governed maximum speed of
165mph.
"The Aston Martin DB7 is the most successful Aston Martin
of all-time," says Mr Bob 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 will continue to be available. Sales of both the
DB7 Vantage and the DB7 Vantage Volante will begin later
this year when prices will be announced."
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 will be 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.
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 60º
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 -30C to +45C 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
conjunction with a new design vertical link, 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 British classic the Aston
Martin DB7 continues to generate 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 Kenwood stereo radio
cassette is masked by a hinged security panel and there
is a 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," said Bob Dover. "The arrival
of the DB7 Vantage will I am sure enable 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."
For further information contact Harry Calton on ++44 1908
619209 or Barbara Prince on ++44 1908 619255.
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 Interior: Full Connolly
overhead cam 48 valve 5935cc leather interior.
V12. Compression ratio Electrically controlled
10.3:1. Visteon EEC V engine front seats incorporating
management controlling fuel seat heaters. Air
injection, ignition and conditioning, rear screen
diagnostics. Fully catalysed and mirror heating,
stainless steel exhaust electronic traction
system. control. Six speaker
Kenwood stereo radio
Transmission: Six speed cassette system with CD
manual with optional five autochanger.
speed automatic. Limited slip
differential. Alarm and immobiliser
system with remote
Ratio 3.77:1 (man) 3.06:1 central locking and trunk
(auto) release.
Steering: Rack and pinion, Wheels and Tyres: Unique
power assisted 2.54 turns lightweight aluminium
lock to lock. Column tilt and alloy wheels 8J x 18
reach adjustment. (front), 9J x 18 (rear),
Brakes: Front: Ventilated Bridgestone SO2 245/40
cross drilled steel discs ZR18 tyres (front),
355mm diameter with alloy 265/35 (rear)
four piston calipers.
Length: 4666mm.
Rear: Ventilated steel discs
330mm diameter with alloy Width: 1830 mm.
four piston calipers and drum
handbrake. Teves anti-lock Height: 1238 mm (Coupe)
braking activation system 1260 mm (Volante).
(ABS).
Kerb Weight: 1780 kgs
Suspension: Front: (Coupe) 1875 (Volante).
Independent double wishbone
incorporating anti-dive Wheelbase: 2591 mm.
geometry. Coil springs,
monotube dampers and Fuel tank capacity: 89
anti-roll bar. litres (Coupe) 82 litres
(Volante), 95 RON
Rear: Independent double unleaded fuel only.
wishbone incorporating
longitudinal control arms, Maximum power: 309kW (420
coil springs, monotube bhp) @ 6000 rpm.
dampers and anti-roll bar.
Maximum torque: 540 Nm
Body: Two door coupe or (400 lb. ft) @ 5000 rpm.
convertible body style with
2+2 seating. Steel underframe Acceleration: 0 - 100
and body panels. Composite km/h (62 mph): 5.0
front wings, sills, boot lid seconds (Manual
and front and rear Transmission).
bumpers/aprons. Side impact
protection in doors. Boot Maximum speed: 298 km/h
space of 0.178 cu m (6.14 cu (185 mph) (Coupe) 266
ft). km/h (165 mph) (Volante).