The British pulse on the damp and chilly island quickened slightly before they returned to tea and cookies, as Aston Martin unveiled the open version of its new Vantage model. With an even stronger appeal to emotion, the roadster version offers a unique blend of exciting performance, driving pleasure, and even daily usability, not to mention the “cool” factor that only Bond can promote. James Bond.
Evidence that Aston Martin doesn’t cut corners can be found in the engine bay, where an engine identical to that in the closed version resides—a 4.0-liter V8 breathing through twin turbochargers. The output: 510 hp and 68.5 kgm. Rear-wheel drive only, to ensure tail happiness, and power reaches the wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. Optimal weight distribution, and quite a bit of power, bring acceleration to 100 km/h in just 3.7 seconds. And if you close the roof, you can reach a (if permitted…) top speed of 306 km/h. The price
The cabin—as expected in a car of this caliber—is highly luxurious. Trimmed with a combination of Strathmore leather and Alcantara, it offers sport seats, a premium sound system, an 8-inch multimedia screen, and additional options for carbon parts, famous aluminum, and various colors for the seat belts. You’ll also find an active suspension system and several different dynamic management maps for the driver to choose from.
Bottom line: There’s nothing like a fine British tradition.
Price: Starting at 130,000 GBP
