As if the
new DBS was not enough for Aston Martin, only three weeks later came
the announcement that another two cars would be premiered at the
Frankfurt Motor Show, September 2007. This is the long awaited,
slightly more powerful V8 Vantage, the N400, so named to celebrate
the success of the N24 in the ADAC Nürburgring 24 hour races.
Indeed, the fully roadgoing N400 has just lapped the ring in under 8
minutes.
The Vantage N400 features a few tweaks over the standard car. This
includes a useful power upgrade to the 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 aluminium wheel type with diamond turning (that
look similar to those already fitted to the Sports Pack DB9),
up-rated springs and dampers and a new rear anti-roll bar (for the
Coupe only). 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 facia trim and a unique numbered sill plaque. The
Vantage N400 will only be available in three new exterior colours;
Bergwerk Black, Lightning Silver or Karussell Orange (the first time
that orange has been a standard colour for an Aston I believe), with
either Sportshift or conventional manual transmission. Additionally,
the Vantage N400 comes equipped with a range of optional equipment
as standard, including Satellite Navigation, 700W Aston Martin
Premium Audio System, Bluetooth telephone preparation, HID
headlamps, cruise control and memory/heated seats. In this Karussell
coloured car, the seat stitching is course orange and a map of the
Nürburgring is embroidered on the arm rest - not sure on the colour
of the contrasting stitching with the other two N400 colours.
AM will limit the N400 to just 480 examples (240 coupes, 240
Roadsters) - why 480? well that's how many seconds are in 8 minutes.
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