Aston Martin Vantage Stage 1 vs Stage 2 ECU Tune — M177 4.0T V8 Power Comparison
Aston Martin Vantage — Stage 1 vs Stage 2 ECU Tune
The Aston Martin Vantage (2019+) is powered by the AMG-sourced M177 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 — the same engine found in the C63 AMG, GT63, and GLC63. Aston Martin's version produces 503–665 HP stock depending on model year and variant, with significant headroom for ECU tuning.
Power Comparison — M177 4.0T V8
| Specification | Stock (V8) | Stage 1 | Stage 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peak Horsepower | 503 HP | ~620 HP | ~680 HP |
| Peak Torque | 685 Nm | ~810 Nm | ~900 Nm |
| Hardware Required | — | None — ECU only | Downpipes + intake |
| 0-100 km/h (est.) | 3.6s | ~3.1s | ~2.8s |
Stage 1 — 620 HP, Software Only
Aston Martin detuned the M177 below AMG's own C63 output for the base Vantage. A Stage 1 tune recalibrates the ECU to optimize boost, timing, and fuelling — extracting approximately 120 HP over stock. The result brings the Vantage in line with a stock AMG GT S in terms of outright power, with the added benefit of Aston Martin's chassis dynamics and ZF 8-speed calibration.
Stage 2 — 680 HP with Downpipes
Stage 2 adds catless downpipes and typically an upgraded intake. The M177 responds identically whether it sits in an Aston Martin or a Mercedes — the engine hardware is the same. At ~680 HP, the Vantage exceeds the stock output of the DB11 V8 and approaches AMG GT R territory.
DB11, DB12 & DBX
The DB11, DB12, and DBX all use variants of the M177. Tuning potential is similar across all Aston Martin M177 platforms — the engine calibration differs from AMG's in software only.