Now that Aston Martin has launched its DB9 replacement, the DB11, it's time to get the beloved Vantage's successor ready to go. The next-gen model is expected to debut sometime later this year or early next. One thing's for certain, however: the naturally aspirated 4.7-liter V8 (and V12, for that matter) is a goner, and will be replaced by a Mercedes-AMG-supplied 4.0 twin-turbo V8. The Nurburgring footage you're about to see shows a 2018 Vantage test mule doing what it does best: driving fast.

It's still covered in some camo, but the overall design does resemble that of the DB11, and that's certainly not a bad thing. Many have been concerned, and rightly so, that switching from the NA V8 to the twin-turbo V8 would cause the car to lose some if its character. Going by what we're seeing and hearing here, that won't be the case.

After all, AMG builds some of the best-sounding engines on the planet. The AMG GT itself is powered by a twin-turbo V8, and this new AM engine is based on that. We have still yet to hear of anyone complaining about the AMG GT's sound. Sources claim the so far unnamed Vantage successor will produce around 456 hp – an increase of 40 hp over the current car. We also just reported that Mercedes will be assisting Aston Martin with its future electrification plans, specifically for the upcoming million-dollar Lagonda Taraf all-electric sedan. But that's still a few years away, and all of the attention will soon be focused on this AMG-powered Vantage replacement.