Aston Martin DB7 Vantage

• Production Dates: September 1999 - September 2003

Launched in 1993 and regarded by many as one of the world's most beautiful cars, the DB7 received many subtle but effective changes over its 10 year life to complement the elegant, yet classic body design which, since 1993 has epitomised the pedigree, heritage and tradition of Aston Martin.

Originally launched with a 6 cylinder supercharged engine, the DB7 received significant engineering enhancements in 1999 with the introduction of the DB7 Vantage – the first Aston Martin to use a V12 engine.

The introduction of the DB7 Vantage was the direct result of a concentrated 24 months design and development programme, which included a complete appraisal of all aspects of the design and the dynamics of the DB7. Customer reaction was phenomenal. In 2001, annual worldwide sales of the DB7 totalled 1339, an increase of nearly 50% from 1999.

The painstaking and exhaustive programme included a complete appraisal of all aspects of the design and the dynamics of the DB7. More than 500,000 test miles were covered in temperatures ranging from -30°C to +45°C in Europe and North America including an accelerated high speed durability test of 48 hours continuous running at 165mph (266km/h) in Southern Europe in mid-summer temperatures.

In Britain a series of pre-production models of the DB7 Vantage were subjected to continuous 30 day accelerated durability tests at the Motor Industry Research Association's Proving Ground - each equivalent to 100,000 miles of regular driving. Halting only for refuelling and routine analysis the V12 coupes and Volantes were driven day and night at a range of speeds from one to 140mph.

The test cycles included regular passage through mud and salt baths, driving deliberately into traffic island kerbstones at 50mph and a series of fierce stop-start acceleration and brake tests. Body chassis components were tested to the limit over corrugated and ladder frame surfaces and specially engineered tracks littered with pot holes and strategically placed concrete blocks.

By the end of 2002, total production of the DB7 Vantage stood at c.4100, over 50% of total DB7 sales.

Specification

• Engine:
  All alloy quad overhead cam 48 valve 5935cc V12.Compression ratio 10.3:1. Visteon EEC V engine management controlling fuel injection, ignition and diagnostics. Fully catalysed stainless steel exhaust system.
   
• Transmission:
  Six speed manual with optional five speed automatic. Limited slip differential. Ratio 3.77:1 (man) 3.06:1 (auto)
   
• Steering:
  Rack and pinion, power assisted 2.54 turns lock to lock. Column tilt and reach adjustment.
   
• Brakes:
  Front: Ventilated cross drilled steel discs 355mm diameter with alloy four piston calipers.
  Rear: Ventilated steel discs 330mm diameter with alloy four piston calipers and drum handbrake. Teves anti-lock braking activation system (ABS).
   
• Suspension:
  Front: Independent double wishbone incorporating anti-dive geometry. Coil springs, monotube dampers and anti-roll bar.
  
  Rear: Independent double wishbone incorporating longitudinal control arms, coil springs, monotube dampers and anti-roll bar.
   
• Body:
  Two door coupe or convertible body style with 2+2 seating. Steel underframe and body panels. Composite front wings, sills, boot lid and front and rear bumpers/aprons. Side impact protection in doors. Boot space of 0.178 cu m (6.14 cu ft).
   
• Interior:
  Full leather interior. Electrically controlled front seats incorporating seat heaters. Air conditioning, rear screen and mirror heating, electronic traction control. Six speaker Kenwood stereo radio cassette system with CD autochanger. Alarm and immobiliser system with remote central locking and trunk release.
   
• Wheels and Tyres:
  Unique lightweight aluminium alloy wheels 8J x 18 (front), 9J x 18 (rear), Bridgestone SO2 245/40 ZR18 tyres (front), 265/35 (rear)
   
• Length: 4666mm.
• Width: 1830 mm.
• Height: 1238 mm (Coupe) 1260 mm (Volante).
• Kerb Weight: 1780 kgs (Coupe) 1875 (Volante).
• Wheelbase: 2591 mm.
• Fuel tank: 89 litres (Coupe) 82 litres (Volante), 95 RON unleaded.
• Maximum power: 309kW (420 bhp) @ 6000 rpm.
• Maximum torque: 540 Nm (400 lb. ft) @ 5000 rpm.
• Acceleration: 0 - 100 km/h (62 mph): 5.0 seconds (Manual Transmission).
• Maximum speed: 298 km/h (185 mph) (Coupe) 266 km/h (165 mph) (Volante).

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