ROUND 2: 2006 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Vs 2005 Porsche 911 Carrera S cont...
If we were to encourage Dr. Bez to make one improvement, it would be to Aston's Jaguar-derived 4.3-liter engine. The power output is respectable--with 380 horses, the heavier Aston boasts nearly the same weight-to-power ratio as the Carrera S (9.4 versus 9.2 pounds/horsepower)--but the Aston's 301 pound-feet of torque are overwhelmed by the 291 extra pounds it carries relative to the Carrera S. That puts its weight-to-torque rating just above that of the base Carrera and Cayman. Is there room to bore that baby out a couple mils, Dr. B? Just be sure you don't alter the exhaust note--it's glorious above 4000 rpm.
Another 30 pound-feet, or 300 fewer pounds of the vehicle weight, would've closed the performance gap at the dragstrip, where the Aston trailed the pack in every measure of acceleration. The launch was especially slow, owing mostly to the fact that first gear is 12 percent taller than in the 911s. Given the Vantage's torque deficiency and fat rear tires, the driver has to launch with big revs (and attendant clutch trauma) to make a quick getaway.
Clearly this car is less about launching in a cloud of tire or clutch smoke and more about arriving in unsurpassed style. Aston's V8 Vantage delivers about 90 percent of the 911's raw performance with double the style and an infinitely greater wow-factor. The choice here is Savile Row bespoke tailoring versus Hugo Boss off the rack. If style matters enough for you to have tried them both on, and if you can afford either, you'll be happier in the Aston Martin.
...
>>next page