The AMG-sourced, 4.0-liter V8 is in both cars. But the results might surprise you.
Motoring fans are now familiar with the new Top Gear hosts Paddy McGuinness & Andrew Flintoff. Top Gear has a drag race from Series 26, which is bringing back some nostalgia from Matt LeBlanc’s era on YouTube. This is a notable one, because it pits a pair of similar-yet-different V8-powered GT cars in a head-to-head showdown.
What is the difference between an Aston Martin Vantage and a Mercedes-AMG GT S? Aston Martin has an engine deal with AMG. While certain modifications are made to the mills to give them Aston Martin flavor, the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 is still used in the Mercedes-AMG GT S. It’s nearly the exact same – LeBlac points this out in the video that the Aston-Martin version produces a little less power than the V8 under the Merc’s hood. It’s 503 horsepower in the Vantage and 515 for AMG GT S.
Drag racing between these two machines can be very entertaining. One would expect a neck and neck race with the same engine in the same front-end location driving identical rear wheels in the GT configuration. The Vantage costs more than the AMG GT, but that is not. It has a base price $149,995. Is that a guarantee it will be quicker?
This is actually quite fascinating. The video will tell the story. However, considering the similarities between the Euro GT cars, it is quite surprising.