CL65 AMG now sold.... turned to the 'other' side....

[stats007]

They do a few usual options - lightweight wheels - carbon splitter and rear spoiler - springs/dampers and a remap and exhaust system as well as the engine bay illumination!

Not sure any of it is worth the money they're asking - £6k for springs/dampers, £4k for wheels and tyres or another £6k for a remap and new exhaust is a bit much.

 

[Maff]

Here's the list of what you can get from Prodrive:

ENGINE
4.3 litre Aston Martin engine fitted with
Prodrive Performance Pack:
Remapped ECU with calibration optimised
for improved throttle response.
Prodrive high performance exhaust
catalysts.
Driver selectable exhaust modes:
auto, quiet and sport.
Power: 317 kW (425 bhp)
Torque: 440 Nm (325 lbft)

SUSPENSION
Bilstein driver-adjustable electronic
dampers and Eibach sports springs for
increased body control and optimum
chassis balance.
Damper modes:
Road - for improved ride quality with
enhanced dynamics.
Performance - for high speed dynamics
and control on the road and track.

WHEELS
Prodrive 19” forged aluminium wheels.
Front: 8.5” x 19"
Rear: 10.0” x 19"

TYRES
Front: P Zero Corsa Direzionale 245/40 ZR19
Rear: P Zero Corsa Asimmetrico 285/35 ZR19

AERO
Carbon fibre composite front lip spoiler
and tailgate spoiler reduce high speed lift
by 45%.

PERFORMANCE
Max speed: 182 mph (293 km/h) (est.)
Acceleration: 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in
4.7 sec (est.)

-----------------------------------------------------------
Price List

Provisional prices include fitment at Prodrive and VAT:
Performance upgrade £6239
Suspension £5581
Wheels & tyres £3995
Carbon fibre aero package £2937

 

[GRAV888]

When's it booked in for?

 

[ADY1983]

Though thinking about it, its about the same percentage of what the car cost, is the same as having that done to a cheaper car.. if that makes sense , I Know what I mean...

Can't wait to see it, at the 3rd Annual Pilgramage, if not sooner :bannana:

 

[Alfie]

Here's the list of what you can get from Prodrive:

ENGINE
4.3 litre Aston Martin engine fitted with
Prodrive Performance Pack:
Remapped ECU with calibration optimised
for improved throttle response.
Prodrive high performance exhaust
catalysts.
Driver selectable exhaust modes:
auto, quiet and sport.
Power: 317 kW (425 bhp)
Torque: 440 Nm (325 lbft)

SUSPENSION
Bilstein driver-adjustable electronic
dampers and Eibach sports springs for
increased body control and optimum
chassis balance.
Damper modes:
Road - for improved ride quality with
enhanced dynamics.
Performance - for high speed dynamics
and control on the road and track.

WHEELS
Prodrive 19” forged aluminium wheels.
Front: 8.5” x 19"
Rear: 10.0” x 19"

TYRES
Front: P Zero Corsa Direzionale 245/40 ZR19
Rear: P Zero Corsa Asimmetrico 285/35 ZR19

AERO
Carbon fibre composite front lip spoiler
and tailgate spoiler reduce high speed lift
by 45%.

PERFORMANCE
Max speed: 182 mph (293 km/h) (est.)
Acceleration: 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in
4.7 sec (est.)

-----------------------------------------------------------
Price List

Provisional prices include fitment at Prodrive and VAT:
Performance upgrade £6239
Suspension £5581
Wheels & tyres £3995
Carbon fibre aero package £2937

The engine output performance figures are somewhat less than I would expect from a standard Vantage model without being asked to pay to 'upgrade' to that level.

I'm really surprised they are so low especially as the standard C55 has more torque (admittedly less power). But compare those figures with an E55/CL55 and they are really poor I would have thought that an Aston Martin Vantage would be at least the equal of a mid range AMG.

What are the standard vantage and non vantage figures?

 

[GrahamC230K]

Stock is 380BHP, 410NM I think and to really put it into perspective ~1570 kg. 0-60 is 4.9 and not many AMGs get that low.

I think the design considerations of the Aston are totally different to an E or CL class mercedes and as such cannot be compared unless you are just talking figures and straight line times.

The biggest variable you cannot measure is driving pleasure!

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

What are the standard vantage and non vantage figures?

AFAIK V8 Vantage range only has one model - the Vantage. There is currently no 'vanilla' V8 model.

It seems AM are not using the traditional naming convention of adding "Vantage" to denote extra spicey versions.

Normal versions being very quick and very powerful

Vantage versions very quick and very powerful with a capital F and a little bit of Arrrrrrrrgggggggghhhhhhhh added for good measure!!

 

[Alfie]

Stock is 380BHP, 410NM I think and to really put it into perspective ~1570 kg. 0-60 is 4.9 and not many AMGs get that low.

I think the design considerations of the Aston are totally different to an E or CL class mercedes and as such cannot be compared unless you are just talking figures and straight line times.

The biggest variable you cannot measure is driving pleasure!

Hmmm. I still think that given the engine's, the AMG is way ahead of the Aston (Ford) which surprises me to be fair. The Aston is standard form produces less torque that the normally aspirated 55 AMG and about the same power (although £250 sees the AMG up to 400BHP). But best of all the AMG is far more economical and i'll bet better on Co2 aswell! Then there is build quality and price. Need say no more on that.

The one area where the Aston for me would win, is the noise.

I am just staggered that Aston produce such poor figures compared to today's powerful cars. I always thought that they produced cars with much more power. How much does one cost that has 500BHP or more?

As you say though, driving pleasure is an objective issue and what works for one does not necessarily work for the other.

 

[glojo]

Prodrive high performance exhaust
catalysts.
Driver selectable exhaust modes:
auto, quiet and sport.
Power: 317 kW (425 bhp)
Torque: 440 Nm (325 lbft)

Are the decibels going to exceed the old Scumbag mobile?

Our neighbours might need waking up AGAIN :bannana:

Regards,
John the envious

 

[C240Sport97]

the Aston engine is an old design Jaguar engine in with pretty clothes

I am just staggered that Aston produce such poor figures compared to today's powerful cars. I always thought that they produced cars with much more power. How much does one cost that has 500BHP or more?

As you say though, driving pleasure is an objective issue and what works for one does not necessarily work for the other.

 

[dougal74]

But the drive for figures in black and white has become ridiculous. Audi does this, BMW does that, AMG goes further. What is the point unless the car is better/faster to drive (and I don't mean just a standing quarter mile or v.Max)?

Testers have suggested that some Astons could do with a little more power/less weight (not figures but on the road). That surely is the question here, do we think this mod will make the difference. I would want a demo of one to find out rather than reading a spec sheet or comparing it to the AMGeeees.

 

[Alfie]

the Aston engine is an old design Jaguar engine in with pretty clothes

This is sacriligeous. Does it mean that the engines are no longer hand built aswell?

 

[ADY1983]

Are the decibels going to exceed the old Scumbag mobile?

Our neighbours might need waking up AGAIN :bannana:

Regards,
John the envious

I can do that for you with my new stainless system with remus box, I may have the centre box taken out yet...

 

[Maff]

The engines are still hand built, and it is quite a nice engine even though its a re-worked jag unit.

The output per litre is slightly better than that of any non-supercharged AMG unit at 88BHP per litre, the brand new 6.2 AMG unit is 82BHP per litre for example, however for a 4.3litre engine near 400bhp is not bad, or with a re-map its then 100BHP/litre for an NA engine which is pretty good.

I agree with Graham, having owned and tracked extensively the AMG cars (55 and 65) then Aston delivers a MUCH better driving experience on the track that no AMG (OK maybe SLK55) can match for proper racing thrills.

I had a track day at Snetterton and it was superb, there's not the straight line grunt that the AMG's have, but it certainly makes up for it in the corners and everything other than straight bits of track.

The noise and 'track experience' it creates has not been surpassed by any AMG I have owned.

This is not an AMG bashing post, just these cars are like Apples and Oranges in terms of comparison.

Plus when I was repeatedly driving past the noise meter at Snetterton and registered 108dB (limit is 102dB from memory) the marshal came over and said 'sorry you're over the noise limit Sir, but its an Aston so carry on!'.

The real competitor to the Vantage is the 911 C2S, which has similar power outputs for comparison.

Come out for a ride next time, you’re then know what I mean!

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Plus when I was repeatedly driving past the noise meter at Snetterton and registered 108dB (limit is 102dB from memory) the marshal came over and said 'sorry you're over the noise limit Sir, but its an Aston so carry on!'.

He thought you were James Bond!! Above the law.

 

[stats007]

The engines are still hand built, and it is quite a nice engine even though its a re-worked jag unit.

Yep - hand-assembled in Germany.

 

[BTB 500]

Plus when I was repeatedly driving past the noise meter at Snetterton and registered 108dB (limit is 102dB from memory) the marshal came over and said 'sorry you're over the noise limit Sir, but its an Aston so carry on!'.

Excellent! The dB scale is logarithmic ... not linear ... so 108 is a LOT louder than 102

 

[Alfie]

The engines are still hand built, and it is quite a nice engine even though its a re-worked jag unit.

The output per litre is slightly better than that of any non-supercharged AMG unit at 88BHP per litre, the brand new 6.2 AMG unit is 82BHP per litre for example, however for a 4.3litre engine near 400bhp is not bad, or with a re-map its then 100BHP/litre for an NA engine which is pretty good.

I agree with Graham, having owned and tracked extensively the AMG cars (55 and 65) then Aston delivers a MUCH better driving experience on the track that no AMG (OK maybe SLK55) can match for proper racing thrills.

I had a track day at Snetterton and it was superb, there's not the straight line grunt that the AMG's have, but it certainly makes up for it in the corners and everything other than straight bits of track.

The noise and 'track experience' it creates has not been surpassed by any AMG I have owned.

This is not an AMG bashing post, just these cars are like Apples and Oranges in terms of comparison.

Plus when I was repeatedly driving past the noise meter at Snetterton and registered 108dB (limit is 102dB from memory) the marshal came over and said 'sorry you're over the noise limit Sir, but its an Aston so carry on!'.

The real competitor to the Vantage is the 911 C2S, which has similar power outputs for comparison.

Come out for a ride next time, you’re then know what I mean!

Okay, point taken and invitation accepted!

Its a shame the engine makers dont match the bike engines which regularly put out 200bhp per litre! Still it must feel a bit strange driving a car with half the BHP you are used to

Edit: Note to self this is my 2,500th post

 

[Maff]

Still it must feel a bit strange driving a car with half the BHP you are used to

Actually 1/6th of the power I was used to, I've leased a new Passat 1.9TDI with 105bhp which I use as a daily driver, it does feel a tad underpowered to the CL65

 

[Alfie]

Actually 1/6th of the power I was used to, I've leased a new Passat 1.9TDI with 105bhp which I use as a daily driver, it does feel a tad underpowered to the CL65

I thought you had the CL65 chipped to 730BHP?