Aston Martin Vantage

Under the clamshell bonnet of the Aston Martin Vantage, a heavily reworked Mercedes-AMG sourced 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine powers the car. Aston Martin engineers have also fitted larger turbochargers, modified the camshafts, and optimised the compression ratio to extract 656 bhp and 800 Nm of torque. The earlier model delivered 503 bhp, so this massive additional 153 bhp has transformed the car's character from "quick" to "ferocious".

The power is delivered to the rear wheels via a ZF 8-speed automatic transmission calibrated for sharper, punchier shifts. The result is a 0-100 km/h sprint in just 3.4 seconds and a top speed of 325 km/h. Interestingly, the car maintains a perfect 50:50 weight distribution so that, despite the added power, the handling stays balanced and predictable.

Another notable achievement is that for years, the Aston Martin Vantage depended on dated, non-touch interior technology borrowed from previous-generation Mercedes models. With that completely rectified, the new 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system provides a sharper and more responsive user-touch experience.

It needs to be noted that Aston Martin hasn't gone "full digital" to the detriment of usability yet. They have retained some physical buttons for critical driving functions. There are tactile rollers and switches for the exhaust volume, suspension stiffness, and climate control, allowing the driver to make adjustments without taking eyes off the road. For audiophiles, a Halo Bowers & Wilkins audio system has replaced the standard setup.

Since the Aston Martin Vantage is a high-performance luxury sports car, fuel economy is rarely a priority for buyers in this segment. However, the model is still reasonably efficient. It has an ARAI-claimed mileage of approximately 8.6 kmpl, but expect real-world city mileage to be lower, between 5 and 6 kmpl, and particularly lower in heavy Indian traffic. On steady highway cruises, the Aston Martin Vantage reaches double-digit mileage figures of around 10-12 kmpl, thanks to the unique multi-cylinder deactivation tech.

The new Aston Martin Vantage has a physically wider, more planted build, since the bodywork has been revamped by 30mm to accommodate a broader track. There is a massive grill similar to the legendary One-77 on the car's front end, providing a 50% increase in airflow to keep the potent V8 at cooler temperatures.

New Matrix LED headlamps have been installed, providing a unique daytime running light signature, and the frameless side mirrors and door handles add a sophisticated touch to the overall build. It exhibits 21-inch forged alloy wheels wrapped in bespoke Michelin Pilot Sport S 5 tyres, specifically developed for this car.

As for the rear end, the signature "light wave" tail lamp spanning the width of the car has been retained, ensuring it is instantly recognisable at night.
 

While the earlier model’s cockpit was downright confusing, the newer one is simpler. All interior materials have also been built from the finest quality available, ranging from Bridge of Weir leather and hand-sewn surfaces to metal knurled dials.

The driving position is low and sporty, while the new Sports Plus seats provide excellent handling around sharp corners and stay comfortable enough for stable, long road trips at the same time. The centre console is also more horizontal, giving extra space to the driver.

The Aston Martin Vantage has tried its best to comply with India's road safety regulations. Its chassis has been adjusted for crash safety and better handling, and its ADAS suite is now a complete package, boasting useful features such as Forward Collision Warning, Autonomous Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist, and Blind Spot Monitoring. Additionally, the car has four airbags to soften the impact of a potential crash.

Several sports cars compete with the Aston Martin Vantage in this segment, and one of them is the Porsche 911, a structured supercar with rear seats. But the Vantage still holds its value well against the Porsche with a very exciting V8 soundtrack and a sense of driving thrill that the latter may not provide at all times.

The Ferrari Roma is another competitor to the Aston Martin Vantage. It is the latter's spiritual Italian twin, boasting a front-engine V8 coupe with stunning looks. The Roma is more delicate and agile, of course, but the Vantage offers a more muscular, brutish feel. The Aston's new interior tech also far overshadows Ferrari's complex capacitive touch controls.

The third competitor to the Aston Martin Vantage is the Mercedes-AMG GT, which shares the same engine block as the Vantage. However, the Mercedes leans more towards tech-heavy performance (4Matic+ AWD), while the Vantage intends to deliver a purist Rear-Wheel Drive setup, making it more playful and challenging for the driver to engage.

The new Aston Martin Vantage still has a few compromises, even if it has improved in recent years.

Once considered a "pretty face", the Aston Martin Vantage has now turned into a serious performance unit. If you want a vehicle that moves like a supercar and looks like a classic GT, then the Vantage fits the bill. The interior was a massive flaw in the previous generation, something the new model has quickly fixed and moved on from.

Perhaps a Porsche 911 is much more practical for daily use. If you are looking at a slightly lower price point, the Mercedes-AMG GT offers a better deal than the existing Aston Martin Vantage price. Still, the Vantage is ideal for those who want to park a car with a louder, brasher character in their garage. If style is as important as road dominance, the Aston Martin Vantage delivers the most complete package the British manufacturer has produced in recent years for India's ultra-high-net-worth individuals.