ASTON MARTIN V8 Coupe 1996-2000 Photos, engines & full specs

Aston Martin introduced in 1996 a longer wheelbase version of the V8 Vantage, which was already on the market since 1993, and the result was spectacular.

The British carmanufacturer was in deep need of money and tried its best to please its customers, who complained about the interior room and even about comfort on longer trips. That led to a redevelopment of the V8 Vantage's platform, which included a longer wheelbase. Unfortunately, that led to additional costs, and the car rivaled the price of a Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph.

The upgraded model featured the same front fascia as the short-wheelbase version since it didn't have enough money to create a more comprehensive update for the vehicle. It kept the front fascia with its triple-headlamps under a clear cover and the same silver mesh grille. Aston Martin's design team installed air vents behind the front fenders, which extracted the air trapped in the wheel well. Thanks to its longer wheelbase, the carmaker could move the rear seats backward, and thus it added significant legroom for the backseat passengers. In the rear, the carmaker installed round taillights, with big turn signals on the outer side. The reversing light was installed very low into the rear apron.

Inside, Aston Martin didn't spare a dime to make one of its most luxurious cabins ever. Wood trims accompanied the Connely leather-wrapped seats and door panels. The only plastic parts were for the buttons and a few switches. Some of them were carried over from other production vehicles, such as Ford.

Under the hood, Aston Martin installed a supercharged V8 paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission provided by Chrysler.