Performance Review: Aston-Martin Vantage V8 550 - [1993]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Aston-Martin Vantage Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Aston-Martin Vantage V8 550 is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1993. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1994 McLaren F1 6.1 V12 and the 1993 Jaguar XJ 220 S 3.5 V6 Turbo.This particular Aston-Martin Vantage has a 5340cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The Vantage shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Vantage's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1920 kgs (4232 lbs) this makes the Aston-Martin Vantage V8 550 in the same weight category as the 2022 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 or the give or take 50kg.

The Aston-Martin Vantage shares the same bhp with the 3996 Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible (542 bhp)

In terms of power the 5340cc 32V V8 engine produces 550 bhp (410 kW) @ 6500 rpm similar to the 3996 Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible (542 bhp) or the 2023 BMW 3 Series M3 CS 3.0 Twin Turbo G80 (542 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 549 lb-ft (744.3 Nm) @ 4000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 3996 Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible (568 lb-ft) or the 2023 Lamborghini Revuelto 6.5 V12 Petrol Hybrid (535 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Aston-Martin Vantage you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2013 Nissan Skyline GT-R Pure Edition R35 (311.4 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Aston-Martin Vantage.

The Aston-Martin Vantage has a Power to weight ratio of 286.4 bhp per ton and 285.9 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1993 Vantage competing with the 2013 Nissan Skyline GT-R Pure Edition R35 (311.4 bhp per ton) or the 1952 Ferrari 340 Mexico (311.1 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Aston-Martin Vantage generating around 285.9 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2014 Ferrari Sergio 4.5 V8 Roadster (310.9 lb-ft per ton) or the 1970 Iso Grifo Can-Am 7.4 V8 (310.5 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.60 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.8 secs, this made the Aston-Martin Vantage V8 550 as fast as the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (4.60 secs) the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (4.60 secs) the 2021 BMW 2 Series M240i 3.0 Cabrio Turbo F23 (4.60 secs) the or the 2020 Audi A3 S3 Saloon (4.60 secs). This Aston-Martin Vantage V8 550 is also faster than the 2022 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo ALL4 (4.70 secs) the 2020 KIA Stinger GT2 3.3 V6 Turbo (4.70 secs) the 2020 KIA Stinger GT 3.3 V6 Turbo (4.70 secs) the and the 2020 BMW X4 M40d 3.0 Turbo (4.70 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Vantage and the 1995 Subaru Impreza WRX STI V2 - Classic JDM Wagon

When talking about the performance of the Aston-Martin Vantage on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.35 secs @ 110.8 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1995 Subaru Impreza WRX STI V2 - Classic JDM Wagon (12.29 secs), the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee 6.4 V8 SRT8 (12.29 secs), and the 2013 BMW 5 Series 550i (12.29 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1993 version of the Aston-Martin Vantage V8 550 has a maximum speed of 191mph.

Top Speed of the 1993 Vantage equals the 2022 Lamborghini Huracan Tecnica 5.2 V10 (202 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1993 Aston-Martin Vantage V8 550 then how about the 2022 Lamborghini Huracan Tecnica 5.2 V10 (202 mph), the 2021 Maserati MC20 3.0 V6 Twin Turbo (202 mph), or the 2020 Lamborghini Huracan EVO 5.2 V10 RWD (202 mph).

Related Links:

1993 Vantage Rivals List.

A Brief History of Aston-Martin

Car Comparison