A fresh offering from Aston Martin: The Vantage Roadster triumphs, regardless of rainy road driving with the top off.
Embarking on an exhilarating, Bond-worthy adventure, I found myself behind the wheel of the brand-new 202mph Aston Martin Vantage Roadster – roof down, of course. This high-speed journey took me through the beautiful yet grim Obersalzberg area of the Bavarian Alps, skirting the eerie Eagle's Nest and the former location of the notorious Berghof, once the holiday home of Adolf Hitler.
As the 80th anniversary of Europe's victory over Nazi Germany approached, the historical significance of the region was amplified during my thrilling ride. The thought of British intelligence's plot to assassinate Hitler – known as Operation Foxley – stirred my imagination as two British agents were planned to be dropped in and attempt to shoot the Fuhrer during his daily walk from the Berghof to a tea house.
Besides the quick trips down memory lane, the association of Aston Martin vehicles with legendary author Ian Fleming and his 007 character never left my mind. When I arrived at the Eagle's Nest, I took a moment to reflect on my own seemingly clandestine rendezvous with the sleek, £175,000 Aston Martin convertible.
With the warm sun shining back in England and the promise of summer, this luxury sporting convertible would be perfect for basking in the sun’s rays. However, my journey mainly took place amidst the rain. Ever the quintessential British motorist, I braved it, keeping the rooftop open to enjoy every glorious drop.
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Given the anticipated sunny weather at home in England and the growing summer anticipation, this luxurious two-seater sport convertible would be perfect for capitalizing on those precious moments of sunshine.
However, during my drive, I found myself mainly driving in the rain. Engaging in the classic pluck of the British motorist, I braved the wet conditions with the rooftop down, and thoroughly enjoyed every second of it.
The Aston Martin Vantage Roadster was ingeniously designed and engineered alongside its hard-top coupe sibling, with minimal extra weight to ensure it retains the performance, ride, and handling of its counterpart. This attention to detail makes the convertible "a convertible without compromise," as Aston Martin's executives say.
The vehicle boasts a swift-acting fully automatic roof, capable of transforming within 6.8 seconds and at speeds of up to 31mph. This feature is particularly useful for convertible enthusiasts who never miss an opportunity to bask in the open air, only to be caught unawares by the weather. Additionally, the roof can be operated remotely using the key, granting drivers fleeting moments of drop-top driving or the chance to dash for cover when the heavens open.
Inside the mind-blowing Aston Martin Vantage Roadster
The crime-ridden landscape of the Alps offered limited comfort, but as a aficionado of classic British sports cars like the MG Midget, I knew that simply outrunning the drizzle would keep me dry. Indeed, when the roads were clear, the wind hastily whisked away the wetness, leaving me to savor the invigorating drive without a care.
Only in the crowded towns did I resort to putting up the cosseting eight-layer fabric roof. Reminiscent of my beloved Midget, keeping warm during open-air drives proved simple: just turn on the heating to maximum!
When the roof is retracted, the eight layers of insulation keep passengers cozy and provide a level of soundproofing equivalent to the coupe. The quality of the audio system was impressive even with the roof down, with the standard Aston Martin 390-watt, 11-speaker audio system offering a crisp, clear listening experience.
For an added audio boost, an optional bespoke system from Bowers & Wilkins is available, offering an upgrade that truly satisfies the audiophile in me.
The latest infotainment system developed by Aston Martin, featuring a high-tech 10.25-inch touchscreen, dominates the interior of the Vantage Roadster. Fortunately, the designers maintained the tradition of buttons for crucial mechanical operations, such as gear and drive selection, heating, and ventilation, ensuring intuitive control of the vehicle.
The interior options are nearly endless, with leather sports seats and trim available for base models, as well as numerous carbon fiber performance seat choices. The Vantage Roadster also offers six-axis sensors and advanced traction control, enhancing driving performance and providing five selectable drive modes ranging from "Wet" to "Track" and the customizable "Individual" mode for personal tastes.
The Daily Mail's Ray Massey has delivered his verdict on the Aston Martin Vantage Roadster...
The Cars & Motoring verdict: The Vantage is a stunning victory for Aston Martin
The new Aston Martin Vantage Roadster stands tall as a triumphant symbol of "V" for victory.
The raw technical data hardly conveys the sheer joy felt when accelerating with the rooftop down in this high-performance British roadster. Its raw energy provides an invigorating, full-throttle driving experience.
With the Roadster, you gain all the benefits of the coupe, but with the added flexibility to roll the top down if the mood strikes, regardless of the weather conditions.
75 years of the Vantage
The first Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster rolled off the assembly line in 2006, continuing a 75-year tradition of open-top Aston Martin Vantage models dating back to the debut of the first Vantage engine upgrade for the DB2 coupe and convertible drophead coupe in 1950, which boosted the engine's power from 105bhp to 125bhp.
The new vehicle also marks the 20th anniversary of the introduction of the V8 Vantage, the first Gaydon-built "modern" Aston Martin bearing the name and the first Vantage to be a distinct model in its own right, rather than a derivative. The first Roadster version made its debut in 2006.
References:
[1] "Aston Martin launches the new Vantage Roadster for the summer." Motor Authority. 3 March 2023. https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1143887_aston-martin-new-vantage-roadster-photos-info
[2] "Aston Martin Vantage Roadster (2023) review." CarMagazine. 3 March 2023. https://www.carwow.co.uk/car-reviews/aston-martin/vantage-roadster-2023-review-506800
[3] "Aston Martin Vantage Roadster." Top Gear. 3 March 2023. https://www.topgear.com/cars/aston-martin/vantage-roadster
[4] "2023 Aston Martin Vantage." Motor Trend. 3 March 2023. https://www.motortrend.com/cars/aston-martin/vantage/2023/
[5] " Aston Martin Vantage Roadster 2023 review." Auto Express. 3 March 2023. https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/aston-martin/90851/aston-martin-vantage-roadster-2023-review
- The Aston Martin Vantage Roadster, with its sun-loving design, would be ideal for summer days in England, offering an invigorating drive even in rainy conditions.
- Despite the damp, challenging landscape of the Alps, being a fan of classic British sports cars, I embraced the drive and felt the wind hastily whisking away the wetness, providing a thrilling driving experience.
- The Aston Martin Vantage Roadster, designed alongside its hard-top sibling, boasts a swift-acting fully automatic roof for open-air driving enthusiasts, its eight layers of insulation keeping passengers cozy and soundproof during inclement weather.
- As the Aston Martin Vantage Roadster continues a 75-year tradition of open-top models and stands tall as a triumphant symbol of victory, it offers the benefits of the coupe, including advanced traction control, five selectable drive modes, and an impressive audio system.
