Aston Martin is supposedly Fords technology "guineapig". If so, why aren't they using variable valve timing, variable length intakes for (max ram effect) and the like on their engines? "Above average" seems a better description of their engine sthan "High performance" does...at least in comparison to Ferrari, Lamborghini, BMW, Mercedez-Bens, Maserati, etc (you must see my point).
I know cost is probably the reason, but surely if Aston is the top of Ford, Ford would be willing to spend money to make technological advances.