Supercar Sunday: Aston Martin Vantage, a gentleman’s sports car
Aston Martin wanted to bring a car that had the charm and craftsmanship that defined the British brand but compact and sporty to bring a young crowd to them and boost their sales and so was born the Vantage.
New Delhi: Aston Martin has always been known for their elegance and the power that comes with it. The Vantage was perhaps never about numbers but about the charm and British craftsmanship at its very best. It was a turning point for the brand, and the driver-focused nature of the car made it a cent per cent, Aston Martin.
In the early format, the brand wanted Vantage to be a compact, more affordable and built for the young car that would sit below their flagship DB9. Aston Martin needed a model that would bring them buyers and boost their sales. This is what led to the development of VH (Vertical/Horizontal) architecture, which would be the basis of many Aston Martin models in the future.
After a first glimpse in 2003 in the form of Aston Martin AMV8 Vantage Concept at the Detroit Motor Show, the brand brought in 2005 the V8 Vantage. It was immediately hitting the right chords for the brand.
Aston Martin Vantage powertrain
Aston Martin fitted the Vantage with a big engine for a rear-wheel-drive configuration. The Vantage got a 4.3-litre naturally aspirated V8 initially and would later be upgraded with a 4.7-litre V8, improving power delivery, performance and refinement. In the different iterations, the power ranged between 380 bhp to 430 bhp, and the torque sat between 410 and 470 Nm.
In the V12 version introduced in 2009, the Vantage, of course, got a 6.0-litre V12 in the same compact body and made a whopping 510 bhp. In terms of transmission, you had the option of a six-speed manual, a seven-speed dog-leg manual in the later V12 versions and a Sportshift automated manual. The V12 did 0-100 kph in 4.2 seconds and could reach a top speed of 300 kph, giving a run for money to the Porsche 911 Turbo and the Audi R8 V10.
Aston Martin Vantage exterior and interior
If anything, the styling was where Aston Martin had the biggest claim to fame. It was masterfully designed and was sculpted with a precision that became more of the design language of the brand. It had the muscular haunches and then a low stance to make it look quite aggressive.
It came with the iconic Aston Martin front grille, sweeping headlights integrated into the fenders, a compact and wide performance-focused profile, deep side strakes inspired by classic DB models, and a perfectly sloping back end. At the back, you had signature LED light blades that all came together to define its unmistakable presence. In the Vantage S and V12 models, you also get the carbon-fibre plitters, a little redesigned bumper, lightweight wheels and some aggressive diffuser for better stability and cooling.
On the inside, you had rich leather upholstery, hand-stitched panels, real metal switches, a dramatic waterfall-style centre console, the signature crystal-glass Emotion Control Unit key, and supportive sports seats to make it all a driver-focused cockpit. While being a sports car, you still had the Aston Martin luxurious quality.
It had amazing noise insulation and had a comfortable ride quality. You also got the Q Division, which would let owners to customise their cars.
In short, as a car, the Vantage showed everything the brand stood for. It was a compact, magnificent-looking thing with the hint of aggression and sportiness. It was the era of thundering V8s and V12s, and Aston Martin made the best of this lot back in the day.