The AMV8, previously known as "AM305",
was officially launched at the 2003 North American International
Auto Show held in Detroit on January 6th 2003.
The new
model was reported by some parts of the media as a concept
car, even as late as the Frankfurt motor show on September
3rd 2003, a week before the DB9 was unveiled.
Fisker explained,
"The
AMV8 Vantage was not a concept car, it was sort of a preview.
We couldn't afford to just do a concept car, we had to
get it right."
Smaller than the current DB7 and Vanquish models, the
AMV8 Vantage will become the "Porsche 911 rival" entry-level
Aston Martin which will go into production in 2005 at the
company's
new factory in Gaydon, Warwickshire, UK.
The AMV8 is a traditional
rear-wheel drive 2-seater with a front mid-mounted 4.3
litre V8 engine unique to Aston Martin.
The Vantage will also be the first production car to utilize
Aston Martin's revolutionary VH Platform Strategy.
According
to Aston Martin, the interior draws its influence from
expensive sports watches and high-end home entertainment
systems - a combination of anodized aluminum trim and
custom-tailored leather that delivers a truly opulent interior. |