2009 Aston AMV8

[Cyco]

Upgrades will include an increase in engine capacity to 4.7 litres, and revised suspension for the Coupe.

All details HERE

[Kitdy]

Speaking of Aston Martins, what is the deal with their engines? Is their V8 Ford sourced or made in house?

I heard that their V12 is two Ford V6s mated together (with modifications). Is this true?

[Cyco]

The V8 and V12s are now all made at the Cologne engine plant. The Vanquish engines used to come direct from Cosworth, who did some of the design work.

The fact that the V12 has no joins in it anywhere would tend to rule against the mated description... That is has the same bore, stroke and bank angle as a Mondeo V6 is because its a good choice for a V12, and gave the guys at Ford design a good place to pitch it from, as it wasn't a totally impractical design from a cost perspective. It also has twin ECUs (apart from the DBS) as nothing Ford used had the capability.

[NicFromLA]

I hope they fixed the engine/gearbox on this car. The old engine was certainly lacking character and the gearbox felt stiffer than that of an 80s supercar. Not sure what it's like now, but at least the fuel economy numbers are no longer a joke; the current one is slightly more powerful can a Carrera S and would turn in fuel economy numbers worse than the Turbo.

[Roentgen]

I need one in yellow...

[bos3eed]

looks excellent...especially the red one

[Viper007]

Anyone else think no matter what car Aston Martin makes, Top Gear will absolutely love it. I think they may be a bit biased haha.

Although I will have to agree with them on one point, they sound amazing.

[Cyco]

Viper, drive a modern AM and I'd be shocked if you didn't fall in love too....

[Kitdy]

Originally Posted by Cyco

Viper, drive a modern AM and I'd be shocked if you didn't fall in love too....

Which have you driven?

Did you like the Ford bits on the inside?

[Cyco]

2x AMV8 (Manual)
DB9 (Auto)

Yes

[Kitdy]

Originally Posted by Cyco

Yes

As long as you liked them.

Are you in the market?

[P4g4nite]

Originally Posted by Viper007

Anyone else think no matter what car Aston Martin makes, Top Gear will absolutely love it. I think they may be a bit biased haha.

Although I will have to agree with them on one point, they sound amazing.

I have to agree with that. I saw one one go past at breakfast a few days ago, normally I hate hoons and would happily drown all the big exhaust loving WRX owners, but when the driver of that Vantage opened the throttle it could have been classed a public service, or tax deductable charity.

[Viper007]

Originally Posted by Cyco

Viper, drive a modern AM and I'd be shocked if you didn't fall in love too....

I've never driven one, but I did get a ride in a Vanquish S. I was impressed, but its still not the type of car that absolutely shook me as unbelievable. I suppose person preference sways me towards the sportier sports car as opposed to the incredible elegance and class that AM always brings to the table. Still, I hold that the exhaust notes of the AM's is fantastic.

[Kitdy]

Originally Posted by Viper007

I suppose person preference sways me towards the sportier sports car as opposed to the incredible elegance and class that AM always brings to the table.

All the elegance and class that the Ford parts bin can provide.

I jest.

[Kitdy]

Originally Posted by Cyco

The fact that the V12 has no joins in it anywhere would tend to rule against the mated description... That is has the same bore, stroke and bank angle as a Mondeo V6 is because its a good choice for a V12, and gave the guys at Ford design a good place to pitch it from, as it wasn't a totally impractical design from a cost perspective. It also has twin ECUs (apart from the DBS) as nothing Ford used had the capability.

So it uses the same engine architecture is what you are saying.

What about the headers/cams/pistons? Are these done by Cosworth then?

Is the V8 in the current Vantage an evolution of previous AM V8s or was it designed form the ground up?