Aston takes paddle

Bosses at Aston Martin will be taking a paddle at the Paris Motor Show - but they won't be getting their feet wet!

Auto Express Car Reviews

21st September 2006

Auto Express can exclusively reveal the British brand is set to unveil a sporty new transmission for the V8 Vantage in the French capital.

It will take the wraps off an automated manual box at the expo, and the set-up is expected to boast steering wheel paddles, as seen on the larger Vanquish. The clutchless shifter is based on a manual transmission for ultra-fast changes, but will also feature a fully automatic mode.

Meanwhile, to complement the sporting new gearbox, seat maker Recaro will furnish the V8 Vantage and DB9 with upgraded chairs. These will have heavier bolsters, feature a memory function and offer a greater range of adjustability. If you're still not comfortable, then Aston's Works Service department can always tailor something exactly to your needs.