Anorak Corner 2 - The Aston Martin V8 Vantage's front mid-engined layout

These photographs show the wonderful under-bonnet view of the Aston Martin V8 Vantage and, in particular, its front mid-engined layout. It's probably worth clicking on these for the larger, high-resolution versions in order to see some of the detail.


A couple of points to look out for in the first photo - the beautifully finished strut brace, which runs from left to right across the engine bay, and also the suspension towers, which show off the car's high-tech aluminium structure. Further down, and a little bit more difficult to make out, the black cam covers of the mighty V8 engine. What may not be clear from this perspective is how far back and low down the engine is mounted, which is great for the car's handling. All that can be seen under the forward section of the Aston's bonnet is the large cowling in the foreground of the photograph; again, this emphasises how far back the position of the engine is.


This second bonnet-up shot is taken from the side of the car. The front of the engine can be seen to be almost exactly level with the centre-line of the front wheels.

Definitions 4 – 2+0 seating

'2+2' is a term usually applied to a car with a closely-coupled coupe body; it signifies that the back seats are suitable for occasional use only.

'2+0' is the description Aston Martin applies to its strictly two-seat V8 Vantage. Hadn't come across that one before.

Which reminds me – the seating configuration is one of the main differences between the DB9 (2+2) and the V8 Vantage (2+0). The back seats on the DB9 don't look like much and the legroom offered is very limited too. But the small rear compartment of the DB9 has a remarkable Tardis-like ability to accommodate tall passengers, or at least that's what I found during the Verdict test of the Vantage's larger sister a couple of years ago, when some very large people indeed managed to insinuate themselves into the tiny space available for the glorious privilege of being taken for a spin in an Aston.

What's outside today 5 - Aston Martin Vantage

A very welcome visitor. Perhaps the most desirable machine ever to grace my small patch of East Anglian block paving - and that includes the DB9 from 2005.

Marvellous. Not much else to say!

Great spots 2 - Land Rover 101 Forward Control

While everyone else was swarming around Joanna Lumley at Solihull today, I spotted this gem tucked away behind a fence on the other side of the road. This is the comparatively rare Land Rover 101 Forward Control, built in the seventies to tow light guns for the Army. It shared its transmission and 3.5 litre V8 with the original Range Rover and '101' refers to its wheelbase measured in inches. Looks brilliant. Now replaced by the Pinzgauer, at least in British Army service.