Aston Martin AMV8 Vantage Concept  (2003)

Undoubtedly the AMV8 Vantage was the star of the 2003 Detroit Motor Show. This is the concept behind what should become the best selling Aston Martin of all time.
This styling of this sleek 2 seater sports car was credited to Henrik Fisker, who at the time was Head of Design at AML, but it is now believed to be principally the work of his forerunner, Ian Callum. The AMV8 Vantage was the first in a completely new line of Aston Martins based around a bonded-alloy platform, known as VH (vertical/horizontal) architecture. This mixture of pressed alloy parts, castings and extrusions bonded together into a stiff but lightweight structure will underpin Astons for sometime to come including the the DB9, Rapide and  race cars plus the yet to be seen 2009? DBX (Vanquish replacement). The platform has been especially designed to allow for a convertible to be introduced very soon after the coupe without significant loss of rigidity.

The proposed engine was a new 4.3 litre V8 unit, described as being 'front-mid' mounted so as to give perfect 50:50 weight distribution. With an anticipated power output of around 370 bhp, the AMV8 Vantage should be well capable of exceeding 170 mph and a 0-60 acceleration time of around 4.5 seconds. This concept has the Vanquish style paddle shift but there are, it appears, plans for production versions to get a conventional six speed box with paddles to be available later.

The luxury interior is modern and makes extensive use of leather; the instruments and switchgear is bespoke and had been influenced by exclusive watches and upmarket hi-fi equipment.
 
The production V8 Vantage, which initially many believed could be known as the DB8, did indeed follow the concept very closely. Anticipated starting price had initially been estimated by the excited auto press at around £60,000 to compete with the 911. As we now know, this was wildly optimistic and the production V8 Vantage started at a little over £82,000. Whatever the price, potential customers were placing orders with AM dealers during 2002, long before the concept was even unveiled consequently creating a substantial waiting list. 
Although the car has been designed in the UK and unveiled in the USA, you may be surprised to learn that the AMV8 Vantage concept car was constructed by DC Design in Mumbai, India. Although I'm not sure of this, there have been reports that the concept was built on a shortened DB7 Vantage platform with V12 engine and therefore may not technically be the first VH platform car. These photographs were taken at the 2003 Geneva Salon, during March, by which time, the car had been repainted from the original Gun Metal, to this dark metallic blue. I believe this car is now part of the collection at the British Motor Heritage Trust at Gaydon.
Gaydon VH Cars Index

V8 Vantage 4.3