The Aston Martin V8 Vantage is one of the most beautiful cars on sale, but it's not quite as quick as we'd like.
Thankfully Banbury-based rally specialist Prodrive – which runs the Aston DBRS9 GT cars – has now turned its attentions to the Vantage.
The 4.3 litre V8 has been tweaked to get an extra 45bhp (up from 380bhp to 425bhp, plus more torque (up from 302lb ft to 325 lb ft). That should help shave 0.3sec of the car's 0-62mph time, and increase the top speed by 8mph to 182mph. Prodrive also claims that new throttle mapping makes the V8 more responsive throughout the rev range.
You'll also be able to hear the engine better – there's a new exhaust that allows you to manually control the exhaust valve to get more of the V8's great engine note.
Alongside the engine mods, there is new adjustable Bilstein and Eibach suspension. A switch in the cockpit allows the driver to choose between normal and sports mode.
Naturally if you've got the Prodrive-tuned V8 you'll want people to know, so there are some special 14-spoke 19-inch alloys, and very discreet front and rear carbonfibre spoilers to reduce lift by a claimed 45 per cent.
All the parts go on sale in 2007.
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