MikeG37

We now have a video (with sound!) of one of the test cars idling while stopped. So if it did have an auto stop/start feature it was defeatable in that car at least.

dcbingaman

I honestly haven't noticed any issues with AFM - on my trip home from Bowling Green to St. Louis in April, we averaged about 80 mph and 28.6 mpg. The car was in V4 mode most of the time.

WRT Start/Stop - on my Volvo it's a total PITA and it scares my wife every time it kicks in. Fortunately there is a defeat switch for it right by the gear selector - you'd be surprised how fast the "off" reflex becomes second nature.

jimmyb

I remember that interview. Tadge said the thing that bugs him most with stop/start is the engine note...that it is there and then it's gone. I remember him saying: "You would hate it"!!!!!

jimmyb

Mercedes Benz owns 5% of Aston Martin. That MAY have something to do with Aston's choice of powerplant and infotainment system, etc....

JoesC5

The only GM vehicle with AFM that I've driven is my uncle's 5.3L A6 GMC pickup, and it seem to work great to me. Don't know how it affected fuel economy though. I could never feel when it was changing modes.

On 3,500 mile road trip we took, a friends 2015 Z06 A8 averaged 24.0 for that trip. He wasn't hot ******* it and going into boost mode all the time. I averaged 29.2 on the same trip, driving the same as he was. He said the AFM only went into V4 mode when he went downhill. He was in eco the entire trip

On another road trip I noticed I was averaging 35 MPG at 74 MPH. I radioed the 2016 Z51 A8 behind me to see what he was averaging. He said 35 MPG. He was also running in eco. No idea what he would have been running without AFM, but my non AFM equipped Z06 was getting the exact same MPG, and I have a higher Cd, wider tires, more displacement, and more horsepower, with almost the same overall gearing. I was running slightly taller overall gearing(1.71 vs his 1.77).

I don't like the AFM in the Corvette because it added weight(on the system itself and more importantly they had to go from an aluminum torque tube to a steel one. On the Z06, they went from a steel torque tube used in the base C7, to a carbon fiber one to save weight, but at a much higher cost), restricted engine RPM, and more stuff to go wrong. They also had to go to a different camshaft profile because of the heavier AFM lifters.

Personally, I doubt that overall, it improves fuel economy that much. Maybe 5% when it's in V4 mode vs when it's in V8 mode, but how often is it in V4 mode? Like I posted earlier, my friend's Z06 only went into V4 when he was going downhill and he let off the gas. I noticed that the AFM was discontinued on the C7 ZR1 even though the engine RPM was not increased. I don't know, but maybe the ZR1 has a more aggressive camshaft profile, that wasn't working well with the heavier AFM lifters, even though the maximum engine speed remains the same.

When you compare what people were getting real world driving with the C6, the fuel mileage improvement on the C7 really hasn't improved that much. Especially, when you look at ALL the factors that were changed on the C7 to improve fuel economy over the previous generation. VVT, DI with higher compression rato, AFM, additional gears and higher gearing. etc.

JoesC5

It may have, or they may have felt that the more prestigious Mercedes engine would sell better to their customers than the much cheaper GM OHV engine. If their customers wanted to go cheap, then they most likely would buy a Corvette in the first place instead of an Aston Martin.

nikic6

I have a 2017 Porsche with stop-start. It can be defeated but it does not bother me. The engine starts so quickly that it is not a problem. Also, if the AC is on, it defeats the stop start.

sunsalem

For once, I think he's right.

jimmyb

OK Joe, I'll remove the "May" since the sarcasm was lost on you.
Aston Martin USED the 4L M-B TT V8 BECAUSE Mercedes Benz OWNS 5% of Aston Martin. The same reason Aston Martin USED M-B infotainment system and other various bits and pieces.
Good for them, saves them money to put in places that are more important in a sports car.

I'm VERY certain that the possibility of a SBC being used in an Aston Martin NEVER came up (at Aston), I'm not sure how it came up here other than just making up some bullshit to glorify Joe's beloved Mercedes Benz.
But then again, the previous gen Aston Martin V12 was 2 FORD V6's mated together (since FORD owned them at the time). So, before we get all carried away with Aston Martin's concern for their customer's egos, keep that in mind.

You amaze me. How in the world did you come up with this crap????
Maybe THIS was the conversation at A-M....
Nigel: "Hey David, what V8 do you want to use in the new Vantage?"
David: "I don't know, how about the small block Chevy?"
Nigel: "Nah, that'll **** off Mercedes"

sunsalem

This makes me a bit sad they are putting in another manufacturer's engine.
Although it is true they have been using Ford-derived engines for a long time, it's still unfortunate.
I understand this is an economic decision, but....

BTW, I had a newer MB SLK AMG pass me the other day and it made the most god awful exhaust sound I have ever heard from a car.
I could tell it was a turbo and it was horrible, just horrible.
The thought this assault on the ears could actually come from an incredibly beautiful Aston makes me want to a couple drink a bottles of cheap bourbon in 15 minutes.

NY09C6

The best sound in the world is a naturally aspirated or blown v8. Everything else (v10, v12, anything turbo). is 2nd place. 4cyl and v6 is awful, absolutely awful and should not be in any car.

nlneilson

Don't be shy, tell us what you really think.

pietro c7

dcbingaman

sunsalem

OK, let the arguments begin :

Quinten33

dcbingaman

elegant

Binger, your lawn tractor sounds better than the Ford GT!

dcbingaman

WKM

My JD has 23hp you want to run them?