2006 Aston Martin V8 Vantage

4.3-liter naturally aspirated V8, developed in collaboration with Jaguar but hand-assembled by Aston Martin at their Cologne engine plant. It’s an all-aluminum, quad-cam, 32-valve unit with a dry-sump lubrication system, which keeps the center of gravity low and ensures consistent oil delivery under high cornering loads—something you don’t often see outside of race-bred engines. It produces 380 horsepower at 7,300 rpm and 302 lb-ft of torque at 5,000 rpm, delivering a sharp, high-revving character more like a sports car than a traditional GT. The engine note is phenomenal—raspy and aggressive when pushed, but refined at cruising speeds—and it pairs beautifully with the car’s balanced chassis and short-throw manual gearbox.

Factory wheels with 1.5" spacers.

Ventilated disc brakes all around, with 14-inch rotors in the front and 13-inch rotors in the rear, clamped by four-piston monoblock calipers. They’re engineered for serious stopping power, whether on the road or track, and they deliver consistent, fade-resistant performance even under hard braking. The car also comes standard with ABS, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), and Emergency Brake Assist (EBA), giving it excellent control and stability in sudden stops. The pedal feel is firm and confidence-inspiring—perfectly in line with the car’s precision driving dynamics.

The 2006 Aston Martin V8 Vantage came with a 6-speed manual transmission as standard. It’s a rear-mounted Graziano transaxle, which helps achieve near-perfect 49:51 weight distribution. The shifter has a short, mechanical throw that feels precise and purposeful—very much in keeping with the car’s character. The clutch is firm but not punishing, and when everything’s in sync, gear changes are crisp and satisfying. There was also an optional automated manual (Sportshift), but the true enthusiast experience is definitely with the traditional 6-speed, which gives you total control over that high-revving V8.