If you want to catch the new musical “V8 Vantage Roadster”, you will have to
be quick. This is an entertainment that tours at great speed, moving from
location to location accompanied by a score that abounds with words such as
accelerando, presto, forte and vivace, to create an aural signature the like
of which is seldom heard.
The production company is Aston Martin, its chief executive the well-known
German impresario, Dr Ulrich Bez, and its new chairman, David Richards, a
fast-moving big noise in the world of wheeled entertainment.
The sight of Aston’s new two-seat Roadster (its launch coinciding fortuitously
with the arrival of its equally new owners under Richards’s shrewd
leadership) is impressive, but it is the sound that accompanies the car
everywhere that makes it memorable.
I know that sort of thing is arguably short-trouserism and adults who can
afford the car’s £91,000 cost should be mature, sensible, steady chaps and
canny women, disdainful of such overt trumpeting of wealth and power, But it
is fun, exciting and not unpleasantly intrusive in an increasingly
nan-nified and controlled environment — and it should bring a smile to
anyone with blood moving through their veins.
And there is — what a surprise — a link with James Bond. Long before the days
of silly 007 hype, Ian Fleming wrote of Bond’s vintage Bent-ley’s echoing
exhaust. The Roadster emulates and updates that sound, particularly when
fitted with the optional paddle-controlled six-speed Sportshift gearbox (an
extra £3,000, though) that moves gears around in a 200-millisecond,
software-controlled sequence, the V8 engine’s note rising and falling
between crescendo and “demi”-diminuendo.
It takes 18sec to drop the elegantly tailored top of the Vantage and owners
are likely to do that as often as possible. Driver and passenger sit deep in
the acceptably draught-free cockpit that is very much about hand-stitched,
leather-lined luxury but retains the right aura of sportiness with,
thankfully, no walnut trim. Seats are superbly shaped and supportive and the
driving position about as good as it gets, which is just as well because the
temptations of long-distance cruising in the Roadster are paramount. Luggage
capacity is 300 litres.
Aston Martin has engineered the V8 Vantage Roadster to ensure that it is one
of the most rigid open-top cars in the world, engendering a feeling of
solidity that complements its chassis and high-ratio steering capability,
making the car a precise delight. Front-rear weight balance is almost
exactly 50-50.
There are those who might think the V8 Roadster and its Coupé sibling (the
open car weighs an extra 75kg) should be even quicker. Take no notice. Away
from the racetrack, the V8 Vantage is plenty fast enough, its
hand-assembled, 4.3litre engine turning out 380bhp at a soaring 7,000rpm.
That takes the car to 62mph in 4.9sec with the Sportshift transmission, a
tenth of a second quicker than with a manual gearbox. Top speed is mainly
academic, but in the right place — and there are few of them — an
eye-wateringly stimulating 175mph.
A combined fuel consumption of 18.8mpg is arguably reasonable, but with the
irresistible temptation at any opportunity to listen to excerpts from the
V8’s musical repertoire, this could increase.
The automated manual Sportshift transmission has a fully automatic mode. This
is less successful and the car suffers some of the drawbacks of the
technology; care is needed with throttle control to anticipate shifts
precisely and to smooth progress. It takes time to get used to but is a
compromise made acceptable by Sportshift’s superb response in manual mode
out of town.
Taken as a whole, the V8 Vantage Roadster is one of the world’s finest sports
cars. With proper attention given to quality and reliability, it is up with
— or ahead of — the best of its rivals. It looks better than most, too.
Richards and the consortium he leads should be very happy about Aston Martin’s
potential, even if the new car does lack one traditional piece of Bond kit:
an ejection seat. But with this year’s Roadster production sold out and huge
promise for future models, that will not worry Richards. He is staying.
Specification
Car Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster
Engine V8 4.3litre 380bhp
Transmission Six-speed manual or Sportshift
Performance (Sportshift) 0-62mph, 4.9sec; top speed 175mph
Fuel consumption Combined 18.8 mpg
CO2 emissions 358g/km
Price £91,000
Alternatives:
Porsche 911 Cabriolet 3.8 4 S Performance, quality, image; not quite as
exclusive as an Aston but cheaper
Jaguar XKR Competitive price/performance ratio, highly competent,
superb engine (and sound), aluminium body
BMW M6 Convertible Fine quality, 2+2 seating, very quick, engine has F1
links
Maserati Spyder Looks, performance, comfort, rarity, body needs
stiffening
