The Week in Cars #5
The new Aston-Martin Vantage hits the streets, and Ford takes the wraps off its new Focus. Chevrolet's Camaro gets a mid-life uglification.
New Aston Martin Vantage
Aston Martins are a bit like Subway sandwiches. They don't tend to be spot on the first time you try, but with time and careful honing, they grow on you and the final result is fantastic. And, with no 'Comfort' mode and a lazy automatic gearbox, the new Vantage seems like it will follow suit. However, things aren't quite as they seem with this one.
Although Astons are typically luxurious and genteel GT cars, the Vantage was launched in a decidedly un-luxurious and un-genteel shade of lime green (the car on the right in the first photo). It also ditches any rubber damping on the mounts for the engine and gearbox, and so, despite resting on a modified DB11 platform, is far more like a sports car in principle. Take the engine, for example. 503bhp and 505lb-ft is exactly the same as the Merc-AMG C63S that it shares the engine with (it's a 4.0l V8), but AM has put their own tune on it, with a less rumbly, more angry soundtrack. It sounds REALLY good, if that's much of a surprise. That power is enough to get it to 62mph in just 3.7s, and onto a top speed of 195mph. European gearbox firm ZF has provided an 8-speed auto, which is probably the first complaint that the world's journalists have. It just isn't quite snappy enough, but a manual which will hopefully suit the car better is coming in 2019, says Aston. They may also fit the 5.2l V12 from the DB11, as the Vantage has the exact same engine bay as the bigger car, but it is clear that that engine wouldn't suit the car.
The other gripe has been with the completely new cabin, because although the gorgeous buttons look and feel brilliant (on the whole, it seems very well screwed-together), there are too many of them. It seriously is like a Maserati Gran Turismo on that front. (Look it up if you haven't seen one)
Now, we have the good stuff. The chassis, developed from the ground up by ex-Lotus handling guru Matt Becker, is incredible. It turns in really keenly yet isn't an oversteery mess, it's well damped and the steering has been made nice and heavy, so the car feels tactile and confident. It also helps that the car feels small on the road, so placing it is far easier than it would be in a Porsche 911. The balance and traction is astonishing, and the car feels every bit the sports car it had to be. The only real thing they could have improved is the feedback from the road, although no-one has nailed electric power steering on their first shot. The AMG lump in the front, as expected, is brilliant, with plenty of power, a great noise, and awesome throttle response.
I really like this car. Aston has broken the trend set by everything they have given us before, and NAILED IT first time. It should be good for £120,900, and it most certainly is.
85%
New Ford Focus
- Ford has replaced the Focus, and will eventually make a 400bhp-plus RS version.
-There are four trims: Titanium, Vignale, ST-line and Active.
-It is far more spacious inside.
-I think that Ford is heading in the right direction with this one.
-Hopefully, it drives as well as the new Fiesta.
Chevy Camaro Facelift
-Chevy has uglified the Camaro.
-There is a new 4cyl engine on offer with the sharper 1LE package.
-Can I stop talking about it now?
Let us know what you think of all this in the comments down below, and TWiC will be back next week at some point on Sunday.
Aston Martins are a bit like Subway sandwiches. They don't tend to be spot on the first time you try, but with time and careful honing, they grow on you and the final result is fantastic. And, with no 'Comfort' mode and a lazy automatic gearbox, the new Vantage seems like it will follow suit. However, things aren't quite as they seem with this one.
Although Astons are typically luxurious and genteel GT cars, the Vantage was launched in a decidedly un-luxurious and un-genteel shade of lime green (the car on the right in the first photo). It also ditches any rubber damping on the mounts for the engine and gearbox, and so, despite resting on a modified DB11 platform, is far more like a sports car in principle. Take the engine, for example. 503bhp and 505lb-ft is exactly the same as the Merc-AMG C63S that it shares the engine with (it's a 4.0l V8), but AM has put their own tune on it, with a less rumbly, more angry soundtrack. It sounds REALLY good, if that's much of a surprise. That power is enough to get it to 62mph in just 3.7s, and onto a top speed of 195mph. European gearbox firm ZF has provided an 8-speed auto, which is probably the first complaint that the world's journalists have. It just isn't quite snappy enough, but a manual which will hopefully suit the car better is coming in 2019, says Aston. They may also fit the 5.2l V12 from the DB11, as the Vantage has the exact same engine bay as the bigger car, but it is clear that that engine wouldn't suit the car.The other gripe has been with the completely new cabin, because although the gorgeous buttons look and feel brilliant (on the whole, it seems very well screwed-together), there are too many of them. It seriously is like a Maserati Gran Turismo on that front. (Look it up if you haven't seen one)
Now, we have the good stuff. The chassis, developed from the ground up by ex-Lotus handling guru Matt Becker, is incredible. It turns in really keenly yet isn't an oversteery mess, it's well damped and the steering has been made nice and heavy, so the car feels tactile and confident. It also helps that the car feels small on the road, so placing it is far easier than it would be in a Porsche 911. The balance and traction is astonishing, and the car feels every bit the sports car it had to be. The only real thing they could have improved is the feedback from the road, although no-one has nailed electric power steering on their first shot. The AMG lump in the front, as expected, is brilliant, with plenty of power, a great noise, and awesome throttle response.
I really like this car. Aston has broken the trend set by everything they have given us before, and NAILED IT first time. It should be good for £120,900, and it most certainly is.
85%
New Ford Focus
- Ford has replaced the Focus, and will eventually make a 400bhp-plus RS version.-There are four trims: Titanium, Vignale, ST-line and Active.
-It is far more spacious inside.
-I think that Ford is heading in the right direction with this one.
-Hopefully, it drives as well as the new Fiesta.
Chevy Camaro Facelift
-Chevy has uglified the Camaro.-There is a new 4cyl engine on offer with the sharper 1LE package.
-Can I stop talking about it now?
Let us know what you think of all this in the comments down below, and TWiC will be back next week at some point on Sunday.
Great reviews! the Vantage looks like something out of Batman, including the slime green mucus colour fresh from the walls of the batcave... but I'm glad to hear there are redeeming features!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to hear more about American muscle - if the Camaro is a wolf in pigs clothing... where does that leave Mustang or the Challenger?
I think that they are both in a much better position, because the Mustang has found a genuine muscle USP: cornering ability, and the Challenger Demon is a hilariously overpowered drag racer. The Camaro had better find something to do quickly, or it will lose favour among the V8-wielding muscle enthusiasts of this world.
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