V8 Vantage (2005) — 2005
The 2005 V8 Vantage embodied a different vision of Aston Martin — more compact, more affordable, more agile — without sacrificing the marque’s identity. Its 4.3-litre V8, developed in collaboration with Ford, offered honest performance and a delicious sound, before being enlarged to 4.7 litres in 2008 to gain in torque and character. Available as a coupé and a roadster, with S versions and GT8, GT12 and Zagato variants, the V8 Vantage made up the most diverse range in Aston Martin’s recent history.
With nearly 18,000 examples produced, it is by far the most widespread Aston Martin model in the world and, logically, the best-represented on Aston Passion, where its technical section is the most extensive on the forum. Members document in detail the maintenance of the timing belts — a critical point to watch — the issues with the Sportshift automated gearbox and the many possibilities for personalisation. The V12 Vantage version, which fits the 6.0-litre V12 into the V8’s chassis, is one of the most intense sporting propositions the marque has ever produced.
The Vantage GT8: the track farewell (2016)
In 2016, as the first-generation Vantage was approaching the end of its career, Aston Martin gave it a radical swansong: the GT8. Lightened by 100 kg compared with the standard Vantage — thanks to carbon-fibre panels, polycarbonate windows and the removal of the audio system — it produced 440 bhp and wore an unapologetic racing livery with a fixed rear wing and a prominent diffuser. Limited to 150 examples worldwide, the GT8 is the most purist and most desirable version of the Gen1 V8 Vantage line.