Friday 7th September, 2007 – Aston Martin is not only showing the DBS for the first time in Europe at the Frankfurt Motor Show next week but will also showcase two new special editions – the Aston Martin DB9 LM and the V8 Vantage N400. Both special editions draw inspiration from the company’s recent achievements at Le Mans and the Nurburgring 24-hour races.
The V8 Vantage N400 commemorates Aston Martin?s achievements at the Nurburgring where the company enjoyed success in the grueling ADAC 24-hour race with the V8 Vantage N24 production race car. Aston Martin develops and tests all of its road cars extensively on the Nurburgring Nordschleife circuit and the Vantage N400 recently broke the eight minute benchmark around the legendary 14-mile circuit.
The Vantage N400 includes a number of technical improvements as well as enhancements to the car’s standard range of renowned colour and trim specifications. These include a power upgrade to Aston Martin’s 4.3 litre V8 engine, lifting peak power to 400bhp and peak torque to 420Nm. The car also comes equipped with a new Sports Pack which offers subtly different driving dynamics tailored to enthusiasts who seek even more responsive handling. The Sports Pack comprises a unique lightweight graphite-finished aluminum wheel with diamond turning, up-rated springs and dampers and a new rear anti-roll bar (for the Coupe). The Vantage N400 also includes a number of exterior design changes, including a revised side sill design, Magnum Silver bonnet and side strake meshes, clear rear lamp lenses and a bright finish grille.
Interior enhancements include perforated black leather seats, micro-spin alloy fascia trim and a unique numbered sill plaque. The Vantage N400 will be available in three new exterior colours; Bergwerk Black, Lightning Silver or Karussell Orange, with either Sportshift automated manual or conventional manual transmission and in either Coupe or Roadster forms. Additionally, the Vantage N400 comes equipped with a range of normally optional equipment, including Satellite Navigation, 700W Aston Martin Premium Audio System, Bluetooth telephone preparation, HID headlamps, cruise control and memory/heated seats.
Pricing details for both cars will be confirmed at the Frankfurt motor show.
In Detail
| submitted by | Richard Owen |
| engine | V8 w/Dry Sump Lubrication |
| position | Front Longituidnal |
| valvetrain | 4 Valves per Cyl w/Variable Inlet Camshaft Timing |
| displacement | 4280 cc / 261.2 in³ |
| bore | 89 mm / 3.5 in |
| stroke | 86 mm / 3.39 in |
| power | 298.3 kw / 400 bhp @ 7000 rpm |
| specific output | 93.46 bhp per litre |
| bhp/weight | 254.78 bhp per tonne |
| torque | 420 nm / 309.8 ft lbs @ 5000 rpm |
| body / frame | Aluminium Alloy, Steel, Composite & Magnesium Alloy Body over Bonded Aluminium Structure w/Revised Side Sill Design, Magnum Silver Bonnet & Side Strake Meshes, Clear Rear Lamp Lenses & Bright Finish Grille |
| driven wheels | RWD w/Traction Control |
| wheel type | Lightweight Graphite-Finished Aluminium |
| front tires | 235/45 ZR18 Bridgestone Potenza |
| rear tires | 275/40 ZR18 Bridgestone Potenza |
| front brakes | Ventilated & Grooved Discs w/4-Piston Brembro Calipers |
| f brake size | x 355 mm / x 14.0 in |
| rear brakes | Ventilated & Grooved Discs w/4-Piston Brembro Calipers |
| r brake size | x 330 mm / x 13.0 in |
| front wheels | F 45.7 x 21.6 cm / 18 x 8.5 in |
| rear wheels | R 45.7 x 24.1 cm / 18 x 9.5 in |
| steering | Rack & Pinion w/Power Assist |
| f suspension | Sports Pack Double Aluminium Wishbones w/Coil Over Monotube Dampers, Anti-Roll Bar |
| r suspension | Sports Pack Double Aluminium Wishbones w/Coil Over Monotube Dampers, Anti-Roll Bar |
| wheelbase | 2600 mm / 102.4 in |
| front track | 1568 mm / 61.7 in |
| rear track | 1562 mm / 61.5 in |
| length | 4683 mm / 184.4 in |
| width | 1866 mm / 73.5 in |
| height | 1255 mm / 49.4 in |
| transmission | Mid-Mounted 6-Speed Graziano Manual Gearbox |
| gear ratios | 3.154:1, 1.974:1, 1.435:1, 1.148:1, 0.935:1, 0.775:1, :1 |
| final drive | 3.909:1 |
Keyword: 2007 Aston Martin V8 Vantage N400 Roaster