A replacement for today’s Aston Martin V8 Vantage (photo above) is set to launch next year, and seems likely to continue using the same name. As we?ve already said, this will be the first Aston using the AMG-sourced twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 engine. Company boss Andy Palmer confirmed for us recently that it will be offered with both manual and automatic gearboxes, but definitely not a twin-clutch.

?I?ve already gone on the record saying I want to be the last manufacturer in the world to offer a manual sports car,? Palmer said, adding that he is not a fan of twin-clutch transmissions on the basis of their added weight and complexity: ?They can?t do anything that a well-tuned automatic can?t.?
Palmer confirmed it would be possible to offer the V-8 engine in other Astons, but said that he doesn?t feel any need to expand the relationship beyond the AMG motor and Aston?s use of Daimler?s electronic architecture. Although his preference is to offer one engine in each model, he acknowledged there could be market demand for a V-8 version of the DB11 in economy-conscious markets; similarly, we can hold out hope that the future holds another V-12 engine in the Vantage. Beyond the Vantage, expect a replacement for the Vanquish to launch in 2018. Palmer said that there is more than enough development potential in the DB11’s twin-turbo V-12 to ensure it will be significantly more powerful than the current car, although he stressed that he didn’t want to get into a pow...