While it’s not unusual for AMG to supply their hand-assembled masterpieces to other carmakers (Pagani, for example), what is different is that Aston Martin will be fitting a manual gearbox to one.
AMG’s not offered a do-it-yourself transmission with its engines in nearly a decade so even if Aston Martin’s always planned to offer the new Vantage with a manual, it wasn’t going to be sourced from AMG. The Brits will have to figure out how to make the boosted 4.0-litre V8 work with three pedals and possibly up to seven forward gear and a gate. AMG does supply a 7-speed slushbox with the V8 however Aston Martin has decided to go with a ZF-sourced 8-speed auto.
The Vantage will make due with 503-horsepower and 505 lb.-ft. of torque but ultimately, the manual version will probably be slower than the automatic. Finally, although the new Vantage was designed to accommodate a V12, it’s not likely to be offered any time soon.
