Count Them: Aston Martin Vantage Caught Testing with Eight Exhaust Outlets
Stefan Baldauf / SB-Medien
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No, you aren't seeing things. An extreme version of the Aston Martin Vantage was caught testing at the Nurburgring, featuring an astonishing eight exhaust pipes. As evident in the spy shots, there are two exhausts situated at each corner of the vehicle, along with an additional four located at the center.
The test vehicle, thought to be the forthcoming Vantage RS, was also equipped with an imposing, race-inspired rear wing and turquoise brake calipers. The front and sides don't seem particularly noteworthy, making it difficult to ascertain Aston's precise intentions for this model. The most apparent possibility is an upgraded powertrain.
Stefan Baldauf / SB-Medien
The existing Vantage has four exhaust pipes, two on each side, meaning the ones in the center of the car are the focus of discussion.
It's likely that those central four pipes are non-functional, perhaps an unusual feature from a previous test model or merely intended to mislead observers. I find it hard to believe there would be a legitimate reason for having eight exhaust pipes, especially with such an unusual arrangement—although it does make me curious about which layout would suit eight pipes best. Hmmm…
Currently, the Vantage is equipped with a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine that produces between 656 and 670 horsepower, depending on the specification, as well as 590 pound-feet of torque. This AMG-based engine can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds and achieves a top speed of 202 mph.
Stefan Baldauf / SB-Medien
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Count Them: Aston Martin Vantage Caught Testing with Eight Exhaust Outlets
No, you're not imagining things. A high-performance variant of the Aston Martin Vantage could indeed feature eight exhaust pipes.