2006 Loder1899 V8 Vantage review

Loder1899 V8 Vantage review:

The Bavarian design team at Loder1899 has successfully combined the comfort of a luxury vehicle with the dynamic power of a race car. The result is a fresh take on the Aston Martin Vantage V8, courtesy of a new high-end titanium suspension system.

The Vantage V8 normally comes with a non-adjustable suspension. But Loder1899 now offers a 4-way adjustable sport suspension system. This enables the driver to adjust vehicle height, gradient, pressure level and strut compression; thereby optimizing driving pleasure and cornering speeds without sacrificing comfort levels. This exclusive titanium suspension package - for the front and rear axles - is available for 9,320€.

The sport exhaust system (5,900€) includes a sport catalytic converter and is completely assembled from stainless steel. At 4,000 rpm a special valve opens, allowing the 4.3 litre V8 better breathing. The result is an even more strident exhaust note, as well as a notable increase in horsepower (from 385 to 405-hp).

In the same time Loder1899 has developed its own carbon-fiber parts, which beautifully – and discreetly – add to the powerful elegance of the Aston Martin Vantage V8. These include a modified front lip, engine cover, a subtle rear diffuser and rear spoiler. These stylish accessories actually reduce the overall weight of the vehicle. The carbon-fiber package costs 4.680€.

Loder1899 recently joined forces with the British wheel designer Afzal Kahn for the Aston Martin Vantage V8 portfolio. International wheel design has been strongly influenced by this British design icon, and his creations for exclusive high-performance and luxury vehicles underline the classic grace of this special breed of cars.

Loder1899 is the exclusive German distributor of the Kahn Design RS-V wheel line in 9x20 and 11x20 inch for Aston Martin V8, Aston Martin DB9, Bentley GT, Mercedes SL, VW Phaeton and Audi A8. This exclusive set of wheels is available starting from 7,000€.

The so-called ‘Baby Aston Martin’ Vantage V8 can also be equipped with the technically innovative 9x21 inch Hollowspoke wheel. The price for the complete set of these lightweight wheels is around 6000€. For the first time, Loder1899 is also offering a set of winter wheels. Named Gaydon (the site of Aston Martin’s UK-headquarters), they can be ordered in dimensions of 225-, 245- or 255/40 R18. A set of Gaydon wheels (for either the Vantage V8 or DB9) starts from 2.799 €.