Aston Martin V8 Vantage (Roadster)
by Tim Barnes-Clay, the man behind the wheel.
Date: 01 July 2010
EVERY LITTLE lad goes through a stage of excitedly playing with cars and some men, like me, simply don’t grow out of it.
The difference is we’re not talking toy cars anymore.
So, you can imagine my response when Aston Martin Lagonda agreed to let me test drive their V8 Vantage Roadster. To say I was thrilled would be an understatement.
I was off to Warwickshire as soon as my Aston Martin contact could get back from L.A. He called me from the States apologising profusely for not being able to get back to the UK sooner - something to do with aeroplanes and volcanic ash!
Works of Art
After the ash had cleared I was given a tour around the Gaydon based Aston Martin Lagonda factory and witnessed Aston Martin’s being made by local people rather than robots. It was wonderful to see cars actually being produced like works of art rather than mass produced by robots. By the time the visit to the plant finished I was more than itching to get behind the wheel of my V8 Vantage demonstrator.
The Roadster is a compact sports car with two distinct personalities - open and energizing, or closed and protective. I’d go as far to say it is one of the world’s most beautiful cars: elegant, yet aggressive with a low, purposeful stance and instantly recognisable as an Aston Martin.
Once inside the Vantage Roadster you soon realise that the car’s interior is just as dramatic as its stunningly fashioned exterior. The instrument pack is crafted from aluminium with a three-dimensional profile for easy reading. The central message displays even use organic electroluminescence (OEL) – a process pioneered by Aston Martin – making them easier to read than conventional LCD’s. Sitting behind the three-spoke steering wheel and feeling the quality of the hand-stitched leather trim has an almost intoxicating effect.
Awakening the Beast
Starting the beautiful beast up involves a touch of theatre. The ignition is controlled by a stainless steel and glass ECU (Emotion Control Unit). The ECU is inserted into a special docking station set within the traditional clear glass starter button. Pressing the ECU fully into the starter button fires the engine. Oh, the sound! You don’t need a stereo - the deep, rasping, buttery burble of the 420 bhp 4.7-litre V8 lump means you could happily listen to just that all day.
Add the engine to the smallest model in the range and you get blistering all-round performance.
The V8 Vantage can reach 0-62 mph in 4.9 seconds and goes on to an eye-wateringly fast 180 mph.
There is no denying that the V8 Vantage is a true high-performance sports car.
The engine is willing and the handling is predictable and the good visibility means that the car is easy to use in town or on twisty country roads.
And, of course, if you’re interested in track days, this car will handle a race circuit. In fact the Vantage will beg you to take it on a track. It would be cruel not to satisfy its needs.
Yes, the Midlands based company has done a mind-blowing job on this car. It’s thrilling to drive, it draws looks of admiration wherever it goes and it is an extraordinarily competent all-rounder. All in all Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd fulfilled my boyhood dreams by letting me drive this tour de force. It’s something I won’t forget and nor will anyone else who gets behind the wheel of the remarkable V8 Vantage.
PROS ‘N’ CONS
PROS
- Looks
- Power
- Image
CONS
- Pricey – but what did you expect?
FAST FACTS
- Engine: 4.7-litre 32v V8
- Transmission: Six-speed automated manual, rear-wheel drive
- Power: 420 bhp
- Torque: 346 lb-ft @ 5000rpm
- Max speed: 180 mph
- 0-62 mph: 4.9 seconds
- Combined mpg: 21.4mpg
- CO2: 312 g/km
- Price: £ 105,000 on the road.
