---
title: "Count ‘Em: Aston Martin Vantage Spied Testing With Eight Exhaust Pipes"
description: "No, you're not seeing double. A hardcore version of the [Aston Martin]() Vantage was [spied]() testing at the Nurburgring, with no fewer than eight exhaust pipes. As you can see in the spy images here, there are two exhaust pipes…"
date: "2026-04-15"
modified: "2026-04-15"
authors:
  - name: "Jerry Perez"
    job_title: "Deputy Editor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/jerry-perez"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/count-em-aston-martin-vantage-spied-testing-with-eight-exhaust-pipes"
categories:
  - "News"
  - "Spy Photos"
tags:
  - "Aston Martin"
  - "Supercar"
  - "Vantage"
---

# Count ‘Em: Aston Martin Vantage Spied Testing With Eight Exhaust Pipes

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/aston-martin-eight-exhausts.jpg>)
*\<em\>Stefan Baldauf / SB-Medien\</em\>*

No, you're not seeing double. A hardcore version of the [Aston Martin](<https://www.thedrive.com/category/aston-martin-news>) Vantage was [spied](<https://www.thedrive.com/category/spy-photos>) testing at the Nurburgring, with no fewer than eight exhaust pipes. As you can see in the spy images here, there are two exhaust pipes traditionally positioned at each corner of the car, plus four more in the middle.

The test mule, believed to be the upcoming Vantage RS, was also sporting an aggressive, racing-style rear wing and turquoise-colored brake calipers. Nothing on the front end or the sides gets our attention, really, so it's hard to tell what exactly Aston is shooting for here. Of course, the obvious answer is a tweaked powertrain.

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Aston-Exhaust-6.jpg>)

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Aston-Exhaust-8.jpg>)

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Aston-Exhaust-5.jpg>)

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Aston-Exhaust-7.jpg>)

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Aston-Exhaust-4.jpg>)

The Vantage currently sports four exhaust pipes, two on each side, so the pipes in question are the units in the center of the car.

Chances are that those middle four aren't operable and are either a weird setup on the test unit from a previous shakedown or simply there to throw off the cameras. I can't imagine there'd be a legitimate reason to run eight exhaust pipes, especially in that odd configuration—though now I'm wondering which configuration would best fit eight pipes? Mmm...

The current Vantage is powered by a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 that produces 656 to 670 horsepower depending on spec, and 590 pound-feet of torque. The AMG-derived engine can do 0-60 mph in 3.4 seconds and has a top speed of 202 mph.

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Aston-Exhaust-3.jpg>)

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Aston-Exhaust-2.jpg>)

*Got a tip? Email us at tips@thedrive.com*

## Author
Jerry is responsible for upholding The Drive's ethos as an audience-first, enthusiast-driven car blog that serves up industry-leading news, reviews, culture, and motorsport coverage. Overseeing a staff of writers and editors from his home base in Indianapolis, he helps curate the site's daily rundown, as well as its medium- and long-term content strategies. Jerry joined The Drive in 2018 as a writer and worked as news editor and managing editor before becoming the deputy in 2023. As a lifelong car enthusiast and racing fan, Jerry believes that all cars are cool, but the people behind the machines are even cooler. This belief often gives The Drive a slightly different focus from most other car sites, where we explore the humanity behind the machines. When he's not obsessing over the day's biggest stories or hanging out at a race track, Jerry can be found behind the wheel of a car, most likely sharing a laugh with his teenage son or daughter.

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/drive_jerry/>)