Here’s what to expect from Aston Martin’s fastest Vantage in history

If there’s one thing that defines an Aston Martin, it’s how insanely addictive it is to drive one. That was certainly the case when we test-drove the DB12 in the south of France last year, and we’d hazard a guess that the new Vantage will prove more of the same.

It is, after all, the fastest and most driver-focused Vantage the British marque has ever produced, boasting huge gains in performance, and giving the front-engined, rear-wheel drive sports car a sharper, more visceral and more vocal character.

While fans are no doubt woeful that Aston Martin has bid adieu to its 12-cylinder engine in the updated Vantage (everyone’s phasing out V12s due to raging emissions concerns), the new Vantage therefore represents a feat of engineering brilliance as its V8 engine still manages a 30 per cent power boost over its predecessor, despite having four fewer cylinders. This 155PS (153HP) increase represents the most significant surge in the history of the legendary nameplate most synonymous with one James Bond.

"As we enter a period of pivotal change in the world of high-performance cars it is essential to remain true to those qualities upon which a legendary marque has been built. Any car bearing the Vantage name has much to live-up to, which is why this newest model makes an unwavering commitment to high-performance in its purest and most explicit form,” said Aston Martin's CEO Amedeo Felisa.

“Class-leading power and speed establish its credentials, but it is through expert application of the latest technologies to the Vantage's perfectly balanced front-engine rear-drive chassis that we have created a sports car with addictive capability,” he added.

In terms of performance, the refreshed Vantage is now almost on par with the new DB12 launched in 2023 as a successor to Aston Martin’s DB11. Both are 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8s with 800Nm torque on tap. The Vantage, however, produces a slightly lower power output of 665PS (656HP) compared with the DB12’s 680PS (670HP), yet it’s the former that edges faster with a 3.5-second century sprint that’s 0.1 seconds quicker than the latter.

Mated to an 8-speed ZF automatic transmission that can propel the two-seater sports car to a top speed of 325km/h, the new Vantage promises greater agility, sharper steering response, and more detailed feedback when deliveries begin in Q2 this year.

All that power is of course housed in an aluminium architecture with perfect 50:50 weight distribution and an athletic chassis that’s been upgraded with revised suspension geometry and improved dynamics software to better soak up bumps and deliver razor-sharp handling for maximum thrills.

"The art of creating a truly great sports car in 2024 is applying cutting-edge technology in a way that enhances and intensifies the driving experience yet does nothing to remove the driver from the process of driving. Vantage will make headlines for the huge increases in power and torque over the outgoing model, but it's the vivid way in which it deploys such immense performance that will seduce enthusiasts and purists,” said Aston Martin’s chief technical officer Roberto Fedeli,

What else is new on the outside?

Well, the new Vantage sits lower and wider, for starters. Its front end has been redesigned for both dramatic and aerodynamic effect with a significantly larger and recontoured grille that inhales 29 per cent more airflow for additional cooling.

Matrix LED headlamps, Aston Martin's new light signature, make an appearance on the new Vantage while new 21-inch alloy wheels and new side vents further heighten the sports car’s muscular stance.

Aston Martin hasn’t skimped on engineering at its rear either, as larger and more dramatic quad exhaust tailpipes add to its strapping physique.

“One look and you know it packs a real punch, but there's an elegance of form and proportion that hints at the sophistication that underpins its raw power. This balance of instant visual impact and slow-burn charisma mirrors the driving experience and perfectly captures the essence of Vantage,” said Aston Martin’s chief creative officer Marek Reichman.

Inside, the cockpit has been given a comprehensive overhaul with a new centre console, a new state-of-the-art infotainment touchscreen, a single instrument display that replaces the old three-gauge digital cluster, and a single gear selection lever that supplants the Aston's former pushbuttons – an Aston Martin Signature that has since been adopted by other mass brands.

And while the automotive industry appears to be moving towards a stripped down, almost austere interior devoid of knobs and buttons as everything gets digitalised, it’s somewhat comforting to see Aston Martin maintain a certain analogue allure that only adds to the new Vantage’s charm. 

ASTON MARTIN VANTAGE TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

ENGINE: 4.0-litre V8 Twin Turbo

POWER: 665PS (656bhp)

TORQUE: 800Nm @ 2,750 - 6,000rpm

TRANSMISSION: 8-speed ZF automatic transmission

ACCELERATION [0-100km/h]: 3.5 seconds

TOP SPEED: 325km/h

FUEL CONSUMPTION: 12.1 litres/100km (combined)