Aston Martins are known for having power, beauty, and soul. In 2005 Aston Martin started production of the Vantage. The Vantage is a front engine, rear-wheel drive, grand tourer that is available as a two-door coupe or two-door convertible. Does this Aston have power, beauty, and soul?
The Aston Martin Vantage is a frequent guest at Houston Cars and Coffee events. I occasionally see these cars on the Houston roads. Like all current Astons, the Vantage is beautiful. Henrik Fisker did a great job designing this car. This car just has great lines. It has beauty and soul, but does it have power?
The Aston Martin Vantage is powered by a 4.7L V8, paired with either a six-speed manual or six-speed semi-automatic transmission, that produces 420 hp and 346 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds and reaches a top speed of 180 mph. It is not quite fast enough to be called a supercar. Prices for the V8 Vantage start at $120,000. There are cars that are quicker and faster than the V8 Vantage and for just as much money as the V8 Vantage. Compared to its competition, the V8 Vantage is lacking in power.
Motorweek reviewed the 2009 Aston Martin V8 Vantage. Top Gear reviewed the V8 Vantage during Series 7, Episode 1, comparing it to the Porsche 997 Carrera S and BMW M6. Top Gear also compared the V8 Vantage to the Jaguar XKR during Series 9 Episode 1. Top Gear reviewed the V8 Vantage Roadster during Series 10, Episode 5. Top Gear US reviewed the V8 Vantage during Season 1, Episode 2 "Blind Drift." The V8 Vantage is playable in Stuntman Ignition, Project Gotham Racing 2, Saints Row and Saints Row 2 (Zenith), Split/Second (Cobretti Iridium), Project Gotham Racing 4, Test Drive Unlimited, Need For Speed: Shift, Mercenaries 2: World in Flames (Carbyne), Real Racing, Ridge Racer 7, Car Town, Midnight Club: L.A. Remix, Shift 2: Unleashed, Test Drive Unlimited 2, and Midnight Club: Los Angeles.
Final Thoughts: The V8 Vantage is an Aston Martin with beauty and soul, but it lacks power. It is expensive for a car that reaches 180 mph. There are cars on the road that are faster than the V8 Vantage and cost less. Aston Martin addressed the power issue by putting a 6.0L V12 found in the DBS that produces 510 hp. The V12 Vantage can outperform the DB9 since it is lighter. The V12 Vantage goes for $180,000. If the top speed was not limited to 155 mph on the Jaguar XKR, I would probably go with the Jag over the V8 Vantage and save about $30,000.
CarJunkie
Photo taken from a camera phone
No comments:
Post a Comment