Aston Martin's concept AM V8 Vantage, on display at the 2004 Detroit auto show, was a hoped-for indication that there would be a production version in the near future-and there will be. An undisguised prototype of the new model was caught on film during current high-speed testing at the Nrburgring. The company is readying its new baby coupe for release either at the end of this year or the beginning of 2005.
Codenamed AM 305, rumors have the newcomer dubbed DB5-but this hasn't been confirmed. The new Aston Martin is rear-wheel driven and is powered by a 4.3-liter supercharged V8, capable of producing over 450 bhp. It will be available with either a six-speed manual transmission or an automatic gearbox.
The body is comprised of lightweight carbon fiber and aluminum, and the passenger compartment, as expected, has fine wood paneling and hand-stitched leather. The new Aston Martin price estimate is around 70.000.