Better Baby Aston; Engine, chassis and interior revisions freshen Vantage lineup.

Byline: JONATHAN WONG

Three years after Aston Martin's V8 Vantage stormed onto the scene, the automaker is performing some updates to its Porsche 911 fighter.

Highlighting the 2009 changes is a reworked V8 powerplant with increased cylinder bore and stroke, a new forged-steel crankshaft, connecting rods and cast- aluminum pistons to bump displacement from 4.3 to 4.7 liters. The result is a 40-hp jump from 380 to 420, a torque increase of 44 lb-ft to 346 and slight improvement in fuel economy over the outgoing engine.

Both manual and Sportshift transmissions get revisions, with a lightened clutch and flywheel for increased throttle response. Additionally, Sportshift benefits from dual throttle map software, with a comfort mode for smooth power delivery and a sport mode with more aggressive mapping. The ability for the gearbox to sense steering inputs and hold a lower gear through corners is also added.

A revamped suspension features standard Bilstein dampers, stiffer springs and bushings and modified steering geometry. A new sports pack option for coupes consists of lighter forged wheels and even stiffer Bilsteins and springs and a thicker rear antiroll bar for an additional $3,785.