Not way back, Aston Martin discovered itself in a make-or-break level. All through the late 2010s, dwindling gross sales figures and the following burning of money reserves put the automaker in a dire spot. Issues started to vary when, in early 2020, it introduced that Lawrance Stroll would purchase a 16.7 % stake within the firm, who, alongside extra traders, sought to inject $655 million to maintain it from flatlining. As soon as in management as Government Chairman, the Canadian billionaire shared his imaginative and prescient: to show AM right into a British Ferrari. Earlier than that objective may even be attainable, nonetheless, the carmaker had a significant choice to make.
Again then, Aston Martin appeared like an organization pulled in opposing instructions and stretched skinny. It had plans to pivot, reimagining the Vanquish as a V6-powered mid-engined supercar. In the meantime, its present choices struggled to compete with rivals, as illustrated by slowing gross sales and surprising second-hand values. Apart from the elegant hooligan that was the 715-horsepower DBS Superleggera, the Vantage, DB11, and DBX had flash however no fireplace. Would AM scrap its lineup, introducing all-new replacements within the second half of the 2020s, or wouldn’t it replace its present lineup to deliver aggressive automobiles to market sooner?
A look on the 2025 Aston Martin Vantage reveals the chosen path. Just like the DB12, it carries over the essential construction underpinning its predecessor. Nonetheless, its monitor is 1.2 inches wider, incorporating a totally reworked suspension with Bilstein DTX lively dampers. Its inside leaps ahead in high quality, design, and usefulness, whereas energy from its 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 swells to 656 hp. Past its prolonged checklist of updates, right here’s what you might want to know concerning the new Vantage: it oozes character. From the noise of its burbly engine to its tail-happy nature and thrilling efficiency, this refresh just isn’t a fast repair. It’s an adrenaline shot straight to the center.
And it could actually’t afford to be something much less. The bite-your-knuckles attractive Cosmos Orange two-door photographed above prices $291,000, $3,500 vacation spot charge included. Nonetheless, it begins at $194,500, that means this explicit instance wears $96,500 in extras alone, a determine made all of the extra hanging contemplating the extinct 2023 mannequin requested for $146,986 to begin. Though this upmarket push would possibly initially appear avaricious, it’s straight from the Maranello playbook Stroll appears desperate to emulate. Take a peak at Ferrari’s Q3 2024 earnings, and also you’ll see elevated earnings regardless of fewer shipments. The method is straightforward: produce and promote fewer automobiles at larger costs, particularly ones loaded with high-margin extras.
In fact, promoting a minimally revised product at considerably larger costs is a recipe for failure, and fortunately, not one which applies to the newest Aston Martin Vantage. Though it might experience on outdated bones, they’ve been coated in Adamantium. Because of focused reinforcements, the Vantage is extra torsionally inflexible, whereas a give attention to shifting weight away from its nostril grants it a really perfect 50:50 distribution. Its Bilstein DTX adaptive dampers, just like what you’ll discover within the DB12 and the Vanquish, supply larger bandwidth between drive modes. It will probably thus be each firmer and extra compliant when obligatory.
Make no mistake, although. Whereas the Vantage can double as a grand tourer, given its usable space for storing and compliant experience, it can all the time be a sports activities automotive first. Whereas its predecessor was a handful, primarily in unsatisfying methods given its sloppy dealing with (the short-lived F1 Version made enhancements, however not practically sufficient), the brand new automotive is a step ahead in each discernable manner.
Level its nostril in direction of your favourite again street, and the Aston Martin Vantage will reward you with 911 Turbo S ranges of grip and stability. It combines a broader monitor, a brand new digital differential, and bespoke Michelin Pilot S 5 rubber. Not like the Porsche, nonetheless, the Vantage isn’t happy with tackling a street as shortly as attainable. It’s desperate to fiddle. With sufficient traction management settings for a 747 cockpit to handle, it permits you to dial again its stability methods in minute increments.
Thrilling the rear takes not more than a throttle blip. Flip it off, and the Vantage will throw itself sideways wherever upon request. Not like its predecessor, nonetheless, you gained’t end up white-knuckling the wheel, taking huge swings to settle it. As an alternative, due to a extra communicative chassis, you’ll be able to intuitively really feel because it lets go, and due to fast and exact steering, you’ll be able to effortlessly neutralize a slide. With 656 hp on faucet, powering by way of is all the time extra tempting.
Its 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8, though closely modified by Aston Martin, nonetheless has Affalterbach origins. But, whereas it produced 503 hp in 2023, larger compression ratios, new turbochargers, and improved cooling parts enable its output to climb to the complete 656 hp of at the moment. Its torque determine additionally rises to 590 pound-feet, despatched to the again wheels by way of the ever-present ZF eight-speed computerized.
Its claimed 3.4-second time to 60 mph feels vastly underrated, though placing that a lot energy down by way of the rear tires alone isn’t any straightforward feat. Nonetheless, the bounce in efficiency is staggering, particularly for a automotive with a comparatively quick wheelbase. It’s a brute in a complicated swimsuit, and all the higher for it.
And what a swimsuit it’s. Though its rear finish is greater than acquainted, provided that it basically carries over the prevailing tail lights, the entrance clip receives a much-needed facelift. Like its efficiency, the Aston Martin Vantage lastly will get the nice appears it all the time deserved. Telling you it’s a surprising factor is virtually superfluous. Apart from those that get a kick from being contrarians, I doubt you’ll discover anybody who sees it in another way. It has a killer stance, the correct mix of sporty and chic, and, on this tester’s case, a tasteful non-compulsory aero package deal.
Stepping in generates an analogous feeling. Its cabin is maybe the world with essentially the most impactful enchancment. From its digital cluster to its huge central infotainment display, now with AppleCarplay and Android Auto connectivity, the Vantage is extra than simply aggressive. Moreover, there’s a larger degree of flexibility when it comes to personalization. Nonetheless, its driving place is ideal, permitting you to take a seat low and comfortable, whereas its leather-wrapped steering wheel is definitely wheel-shaped, not an odd squircle.
Just like the DB12, the newest Aston Martin Vantage represents a monumental improve over its predecessor. Nonetheless, it is perhaps tempting to align the Vantage with its GT sibling, given how a lot {hardware} they share, however these are vastly totally different animals. Whereas the 671-hp DB12 is extra highly effective, its longer wheelbase and extra restrained calibration make it a much more docile and approachable machine. For most individuals, it’ll really feel just like the extra pleasant of the pair.
Therein lies the Vantage’s one central asterisk. To expertise simply how good it’s, it’s important to be keen to fling it round just like the sports activities automotive it’s. Tackling a twisty street at full velocity like a Turbo S is rewarding, however the Aston’s magic lies past its grip limits. This can be a automotive for the drivers.
Whether or not this newly outlined persona, made up of a major energy improve, a refined aesthetic, and a aggressive inside, might be sufficient to compel consumers to shell out giant sums just like the $291,000 this tester instructions stays to be seen. Nonetheless, earlier than Aston Martin ever reaches its objective of turning into a British Ferrari, it wants a powerful product line. And because the Vantage proves, it’s off to a powerful begin.
