V8 VANTAGE

V8 VANTAGE

We drove the Aston Martin Vantage on the track after the SL and XK, and it was the first in this group to feel like it belonged there. Unlike the first two, you can imagine a Vantage owner booking himself a trackday, and you can feel the underlying promise for the racing versions Aston Martin has produced. It makes this year’s test because it has been substantially revised, its naturally aspirated V8 growing by 400cc to 4.7 liters and by 40bhp to 420 bhp. Ours was equipped with the Sportshift automated manual transmission and the Sports Pack suspension; stiffer spring, revised Bilstein dampers, revised rear anti-roll bar and light weight, forged 20 inch rims. With that lot, it ought to do well on a track. It looks the same as the old car, and has same disappointing view down the bonnet. The SL and XK leave you no doubt that you are about to drive the brawny, front-engined car, but in Aston Martin all you can see is a pair of artlessly arranged windscreen wipers. Yet there’s no doubting the Vantage’s credentials once you are underway. The noise is still intoxicating over 4000rpm but there is now proper supercar pace. It lapped Anglesey in 1 min 3.9 sec, just seven tenth slower than the lighter 911.