10 Must-Know Facts About The Aston Martin Vantage V550

Aston Martin boasts a rich history that has propelled the brand to legendary status. It’s known for its attention to the smallest of details and its pursuit of perfection. Since its founding in 1913, Aston Martin has produced iconic models and built a heritage that has helped shape the automotive industry.

When talking about some of the most popular cars by Aston Martin, you might be familiar with the Aston Martin DB9, V8 Vantage, DBS, and other nameplates that crossed the silver screen through the James Bond film franchise. There’s also the Aston Martin DBX that’s dubbed to be the ultimate luxury SUV. Then, you have the One-77, Vulcan, and Valkyrie, which belong to the list of the most powerful naturally-aspirated cars on the planet today.

Another modern classic from this British garage is the Aston Martin Vantage V550. This remarkable model is solid evidence of the remarkable craftsmanship, innovation, and legacy of the British brand. We put the spotlight on this supercar killer and list some of the most amazing facts on what makes the Vantage V550, one of the most beloved vehicles among experts, collectors, and enthusiasts alike.

To give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including Top Gear, The Sunday Times, and source Automobile Catalog.

10 2023 Marks The 30th Anniversary Of The V8 Vantage V550

The Aston Martin Vantage V550 was unwrapped at the British Motor Show in 1992. A year after the lucky can-afford few got behind the wheel of a true supercar of its era. For the unfamiliar, the Vantage nameplate represents some of the most desirable and successful sports cars of Aston Martin. The moniker has been used for over seven decades and has stood for the brand’s engineering ambition, exhilarating performance, and jaw-dropping aesthetics.

Vantage DNA Of Automotive Superiority

• A true supercar during its era
• Unveiled in 1992
• First deliveries in 1993
• Virage-based Vantage
• It should not be confused with the old-school V8 Vantage from the 1970s

The Vantage V550, produced between 1993 and 1999, is the successor of the Virage. The engineers and the designers of the Vantage V550 took a giant leap and made extensive changes to how the car looks and the heart that roars under its hood. The Virage-based grand tourer should not be confused with its predecessor from the 1970s, the original Aston Martin V8 Vantage hailed as Britain’s first supercar.

9 Sports A Look That’s Hard To Ignore

The lines of the heavily re-bodied Aston Martin Virage was the work of Ken Greely and John Heffernan. At first glance, you might mistake it for its predecessor, but the designers actually only took a few panels and the rest of the lines were fresh. You cannot miss the distinct Aston Martin grille. It has a front spoiler that helps channel the air to the radiator and out via the louvers on the hood and the side vents.

Not Just A Reworked Virage

• Elegant, sporty appeal
• Long and wide, just how sports cars should be
• Distinctive Aston Martin front grille
• Only the doors and roof of the Virage were carried over to the design
• Aggressive stance with evident refined lines

From the side, the obvious length of the car cannot be ignored. You’ll also get that sleek silhouette that hints the engineers took the vehicle’s aerodynamics to the next level. The wheel arches were flared, wider than that of the Virage’s.

From the back, the Aston Martin Vantage V550’s width is evident. It is generally uncluttered and focuses on the functional elements, with the rear circular lights and the exhaust cleanly integrated into the design. Overall, the hand-made Vantage V550, represents a perfect blend of brute aggression and refined luxury.

8 Opulent Comfort

It’s icing on the cake when you have a sports car that not only performs but also possesses the refinement of luxury vehicles. While the exterior of the Aston Martin Vantage V550 screams brute force, its interior is a driver-centric cradle that’s a good representation of quintessential British automotive luxury.

It is dominated by burr walnut veneers, Wilton Carpet, and Connolly leather. The seats of the Vantage V550 are well-bolstered to ensure you stay in your seat even when negotiating tight turns at high speeds. The roof is lined inside with Alcantara suede.

Vantage V550 Interior Details

• A good mix of luxury and practicality
• Generous use of Connolly leather, Wilton carpets, and burr walnut veneer
• Well-bolstered sports seats
• Two plus two configuration
• Classic analog dials

The dashboard layout is reminiscent of the Virage, with large analog dials in front of the driver that tell you about your speed, the RPM, supercharger pressure, water temperature, and oil pressure. The center of the console presents small circular fixtures that serve as a clock, oil temperature gauge, fuel gauge, and an ammeter.

Those who can afford this ride can specify the colors of the exterior and interior they prefer. You could also choose the surface materials around the cabin, the sound system, and the big old cellular phone you wanted to install. At the rear, you have two small seats to add a dose of practicality to it.

7 The Aston Martin Vantage V550 Is Big, Bold, And Beautiful

The British Automaker gave the coupe a more is more treatment. The supercar tips the scale at roughly 4,387 pounds, or about 441 pounds heavier than the Virage. In front, you don’t have the usual two headlights.

Instead, you’ll be greeted by six square headlights behind heated glass covers. Peek behind the 18-inch alloy wheels, and you’ll see brakes that are up for stopping the ride before you hit anything. The Vantage V550 was equipped with the largest brake discs in production back in the day.

How Massive Is The Aston Martin Vantage V550?

When fueling up, be ready for the 26.9-gallon fuel tank of the Vantage V550, which is slightly bigger than its predecessor. If you compare that to the 2023 Aston Martin DB11 coupe gas tank, it only has a fuel capacity of 20.5 gallons.

6 Each Vantage V550 Took 1,200 Hours To Build, And Only 239 Units Were Produced

If you are planning to get hold of an Aston Martin Vantage V550, be ready to be patient and be ready to spend– a lot. Only 239 examples of the Vantage V550 were crafted during its short production run. It is considered one of the last truly handcrafted vehicles at the British marque’s Newport Pagnell factory. Each unit took 1,200 hours to build. This is comparable to a Rolls-Royce that takes around 800 hours spread across a few months to build.

The Highly Exclusive Vantage V550

• 239: the number of Vantage V550 units produced
• 1,200: the number of hours it took to build one Vantage V550
• 177,000: the price of the vehicle in GBP when it was launched
• 440,000 or 658,000: the equivalent price of the car today

During the slowest production pace, Aston Martin could only finish half a car a week. At their best rate, the staff assembled two vehicles per week. This is a testament to the craftsmanship and attention to detail the team poured into making every vehicle. For such work, a hefty price tag is justified.

The price of Vantage V550 during its launch back in the early ’90s was pegged at GBP 177,000 or roughly 440,000 GBP. That’s almost $658,000 based on today’s value of money. To this day, specimens similar to Elton John’s Aston Martin V8 Vantage V550 that crossed the block in 2018 command prices only the top-of-the-food chain spenders can snag.

5 Powerful V-8 Engine That Produces 550 Horsepower

Under the hood of the Aston Martin Vantage V550 lies a twin-supercharged 5.3-liter V-8 that pumps out 550 horsepower and 550 pound-feet of torque. The powerplant uses the EEC IV Management System by Ford. It is the primary E.C.U. responsible for the engine’s operation.

All the power from the longitudinally aligned engine are sent to the rear wheels via a six speed manual gearbox with a twin-plate clutch and a limited-slip differential. With such setup, the hefty vehicle can blast to a top speed of 186 mph and complete the quarter-mile dash in 12.2 seconds.

Vantage V550 Performance Specs

(Specs sourced from Aston Martin and Automobile Catalog)

And in case you’re wondering why the American carmaker was involved in the Vantage, Ford was actually the owner of the British Brand from the late 1980s to the early 2000s. This paved the way for the financial stability and introduction of technologies Aston Martin was able to capitalize on.

4 Equipped With A Pair Of Eaton M90 Superchargers

For quick comparison, the output of the Virage was around 200 horses less compared to the Vantage. The primary reason for such performance difference are the two Eaton M90 superchargers. Each of the superchargers came with their own cylinder bank. The M90 is a roots-type supercharger known for its reliability. They’re also found in some GM and Ford cars, such as the Chevrolet Monte Carlos and Thunderbird Super Coupes.

Performance Boost From A Pair Of Superchargers

• The Vantage V550 uses a pair of M90 Superchargers
• Each M90 supercharger pumps 90 cubic inches of air per shaft revolution
• The setup produces an extra 220 horsepower
• Uses positive displacement charger resulting in predictable HP increase
• No lag in superchargers compared to turbochargers

Driving a supercharged vehicle come with several benefits. Aside from increased power, you’ll be able to tap most of the torque at a much lower RPM. In the Vantage V550, you can hit the 549 pound-feet of torque at just 4,000 RPM. With superchargers, there’s practically no lag just like in turbochargers. The increase in horsepower can be felt through the RPM range, which plays a big role if you’re talking about the acceleration the Aston Martin Vantage V550 can deliver.

3 Performance Of A Supercar Killer

The Aston Martin Vantage V550 is considered by many as a forgotten ‘90s supercar killer. Its impressive performance numbers help it keep up if not leave some popular nameplates behind. This is primarily due to the good balance of power, speed, and luxury it delivers. Side by side with the 1996 Porsche 911 GT2, the Vantage 550 is much more powerful because the German supercar only boasts 424 horsepower and 398 pound-feet of torque.

Vantage V550 Vs. Other Supercars Of The ‘90s

• Marvelous engine raw power
• Aston Vantage V550 (0-60 mph: 4.3 seconds | Top Speed: 186 mph)
• The Vantage can keep up with its contemporaries in terms of straight-line speed
• 1996 Porsche 911 GT2 (0-60 mph: 4.2 seconds | Top Speed: 183 mph)
• 1993 Lamborghini Diablo (0-60 mph: 3.9 seconds | Top Speed: 202 mph)
• 1996 Ferrari 550 Maranello (0-60 mph: 4.3 seconds | Top Speed: 191 mph)

Another good comparison is with the 1993 Lamborghini Diablo. Its 0-60 mph time is not far behind the V-12-powered and much lighter supercar. The Italian bull weighing 3,582 pounds can complete the feat in 3.9 seconds and hit a top speed of 202 mph.

It also does not lag far behind the 1996 Ferrari 550 Maranello, which can hit 0 to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds and hit a top speed of 191 mph. In the real world, it can be a matter of driver experience and driving conditions. Also, the roar of the Vantage V550’s engine harmonizes well with these supercar symphonies.

2 A Rolls Royce With Attitude

When the Aston Martin Vantage V550 was unveiled, the automotive world was enamored. It did not take long before the press threw reviews praising the groundbreaking sportscar. This includes Jeremy Clarkson’s praises for its excellent design and performance. The veteran automotive journalist was in awe of its imposing presence. Besides the vehicle’s brute force, Clarkson pointed out its impressive speed and stability on the open road.

What Experts Say About The Vantage V550

• Imposing presence
• Superior design
• Impressive balance of speed and stability
• Serious but fun
• Better than any equivalent Porsche

Clarkson describes the Vantage V550 as a supercar of the old school. The automotive journalist likened it to a Rolls-Royce with attitude. This highlights the refinement of the Aston Martin creation and its ability to deliver a thrilling supercar performance.

Clarkson however pointed some drawbacks such as its weight, squirmy handling in tight corners, and dim headlights. He also pointed out that the Vantage V550 might be too accomplished. He side it’s better than any equivalent Porsche or perhaps other Aston Martin offerings, such as the DB11 and DBS Superleggera.

1 Vantage Le Mans Special Edition As Last Hurrah Before The V-12 Era

Before the Aston Martin V-12 era, Aston Martin released an optional Vantage V600 upgrade to make the V550 even more powerful. This was done in celebration of the 40th anniversary of their victory in Le Mans in 1959. As the nomenclature implies, you’ll get 600 horsepower instead of the standard 550 horses. The kit was developed as a special project of Aston’s Works Service. The upgrade involves stripping a brand new V550 to integrate the GBP 43,000 upgrade.

Performance Specifications

(Specs sourced from Automobile Catalog)

The V8 Vantage V600 Le Mans includes AP Racing brakes and most units came with five-speed close ratio manual gearbox. It also features redesigned vents that were made to look like the Le Mans-winning DBR1, five-spoke magnesium alloy rims, blanked radiator, and cooling ducts on the hood. The V600 upgrade Of the almost 300 Vantage V550 that rolled out of the Aston Martin factory, about 90 units ended up with the V600 kit upgrade.