Aston Martin V8 Vantage (Supercharged)
1993-2000 · Aston Martin V8 Vantage (Supercharged) — Grand Tourer, V8 Supercharged, designed by John Heffernan & Ken Greenley.
The Story
This is the brutal, hand-built muscle-Aston of the 1990s – the Virage-based Vantage, with TWO Eaton superchargers strapped to the 5.3-litre V8. The 1993 V550 made a then-staggering 550 bhp; the 1998 V600 pack pushed it to 600 bhp and 605 lb-ft – more than a Ferrari F50.
Built by Newport Pagnell’s artisans (each car an enormous hand-labour), it was the last of the truly coachbuilt ‘old Astons.’ The run-out V8 Vantage Le Mans (V600 spec) is the ultimate version. Prolific buyers included the Sultan of Brunei.
The Numbers
Benchmarked against its class
Each dial ranks this car within its Grand Tourer class — fuller means higher, and the tick marks the class midpoint.
Signature Colors
The Designer
John Heffernan & Ken Greenley
British partnership, both RCA-linked (Greenley headed its transport-design course). Won the Aston Virage commission (1988) and styled the Bentley Continental R and the Panther Solo. Source: Classic Driver / Wikipedia (IAD).
Studio Motors POV
The forgotten British supercar of the 1990s – a 600 bhp, twin-blown, hand-hammered bruiser that out-muscled the Ferraris of its day. The V600 is a genuine sleeper grail.
The Engine
Aston Martin Tadek Marek V8 (5.3)
Lineage
Where it sits in the bloodline
Market & Value
Values on cars like this move monthly. Our brokers price from real transactions.
What Reviewers Said About V8 Vantage (Supercharged)
Worth Knowing About the V8 Vantage (Supercharged)
3 Things You Didn’t Know
- 1. It's a TWIN-supercharged V8 – arguably the only twin-supercharged muscle car ever made.
- 2. The V600 pack made 600 bhp and 605 lb-ft – more power than a contemporary Ferrari F50.
- 3. The Sultan of Brunei and Prince Jefri were among the most prolific buyers of these Vantages.
5 Fast Facts
- 1. ~300 built (1993-2000); ~90 with the V600 pack.
- 2. 5.3 V8, twin Eaton superchargers: 550 bhp (V550) -> 600 bhp (V600).
- 3. ~200 mph; hand-built at Newport Pagnell.
- 4. Last of the coachbuilt 'old Aston' Vantages; run-out Le Mans edition.
- 5. Based on the Virage (Heffernan & Greenley design).
Provenance
Owners & what to look for
Famous Owners
DOCUMENTED: the Sultan of Brunei and his brother Prince Jefri were prolific buyers of 1990s Vantages (source: Top Gear/period press). Individual car owners not otherwise publicly listed.
Studio Buyer’s Brief
The V600 (and the run-out Le Mans edition) is the one to have – 600 bhp, the ultimate spec, the rarest. Confirm the V600 pack is genuine (many V550s were upgraded), check supercharger/cooling health and the hand-built body. Manual ZF preferred; appreciating hard.
Full Specifications
- Make / Model
- Aston Martin V8 Vantage (Supercharged)
- Class
- Grand Tourer
- Production years
- 1993-2000
- Units built
- ~280–300 total; ~81–90 V600 (sources disagree)
- Variants
- V550 (1993, 550 hp); V600 (1998, ~600 hp); V600 Le Mans (1999, ltd); Volante; V8 Coupe (1996, NA)
- Engine layout
- Front
- Engine
- V8 Supercharged
- Engine family
- Aston Martin Tadek Marek V8 (5.3)
- Displacement
- 5,340 cc (5.3L), twin Eaton superchargers
- Power
- 600 hp
- Torque
- 600 lb-ft
- 0–60 mph
- 3.9 s
- Top speed
- 200 mph
- Power-to-weight
- 335 hp/tonne · 6.6 lb/hp
- Transmission
- 6-speed ZF manual (4-speed auto optional)
- Drivetrain
- RWD (front engine) · Petrol
- Curb weight
- 3946 lb
Questions
V8 Vantage (Supercharged) FAQ
What is the difference between the V550 and V600 Aston Martin Vantage?
The 1993 V550 used a twin-supercharged 5.3-litre V8 producing 550 bhp and 550 lb-ft, with a top speed of approximately 186 mph. The 1998 V600 pack raised output to 600 bhp and 600 lb-ft, pushing top speed to approximately 200 mph. The V600 is rarer — approximately 81-90 were built — and is now the more coveted collector’s specification.
How many Aston Martin V8 Vantage V600s were made?
Approximately 81-90 Aston Martin V8 Vantage V600s were built between 1998 and 2000, out of a total production run of approximately 280-300 V8 Vantages across all specifications from 1993-2000. [SUSPECT: exact figures vary by source — Wikipedia cites approximately 280 total / 81 V600; Top Gear period press cites approximately 300 total / 90 V600.]
What is the Aston Martin V8 Vantage V600 worth today?
V8 Vantage V600 examples have asking prices and collector-market quotes around $300,000-$550,000 with the rare V600 Le Mans edition at the top, but realised trading is thinner than asks suggest. Standard V550 examples trade in a wider $150,000-$250,000 band with realised prices often below the upper figures. The 1990s supercar credentials have strengthened, but treat these as broad collector ranges, not confirmed transaction averages.
How does the V8 Vantage V600 compare to 1990s supercar rivals?
The V600’s 600 bhp from a twin-supercharged 5.3-litre V8 exceeded the Ferrari F50’s 513 bhp naturally aspirated V12 and matched or bettered most of its 1990s contemporaries in outright power. Hand-built at Newport Pagnell, it was the most powerful production British car of its era.
Can you buy an Aston Martin V8 Vantage V600 today?
Yes. The V8 Vantage V600 trades on the collector market through specialist brokers.
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