Naked Characters

The V8 Vantage is a stylish low-slung two-seat coupe designed to take on the Porsche 911 and other similar near-exotic sports cars, but with a decidedly upper-crust British accent. It debuted at the 2005 Geneva International Motor Show as an all-new 2006 model.

Recent updates to the Aston Martin V8 Vantage include new front seats with lumbar adjustments and electric seat-back releases. Also incorporated in the seats are side-impact airbags and occupant-sensing technology to determine how fast and with how much force the front airbags will deploy, in case of a collision. Heated cushions and memory settings for the power seat adjustments are optional. A remote trunk release, LED illumination in the door handles and full leather trim are now standard; non-standard leather colors may now be ordered, along with the ability to special-order the upholstery to match any color sample.

2007 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Slideshow

Items added to the options list also include a garage door opener, auto-dimming rearview mirror, front stone guards, 19-inch anthracite-painted alloy wheels and Pirelli PZero Corsa performance tires.

The V8 Vantage has a long hood and wide front grille. Its sleek bodywork bears more than a passing resemblance to its larger stablemate, the Aston Martin DB9 Coupe. Constructed from a combination of steel, aluminum and composite panels, the V8 Vantage body shell is draped over a lightweight yet structurally rigid bonded aluminum structure that produces exceptional agility and ride comfort. Its rear hatchback design has a fairly generous luggage shelf located behind the seats, which adds an element of cargo-carrying practicality not typically found among small sporty cars.

The V8 Vantage is powered by a hand-assembled, all-aluminum 4.3-liter V8 engine that generates a strong 380 hp. It includes a dry-sump lubrication system that can keep the engine oil fully circulating throughout even the most extreme high-speed cornering maneuvers. Transmission choices are a close-ratio, slick-shifting, six-speed manual transmission or a new automatic with manual-shift capability.

The V8 Vantage has a nearly ideal 49/51 front-to-rear weight distribution, combined with a double-wishbone suspension and 18-inch wheels and tires. This affords superlative handling with an only moderately harsh ride. Four-wheel-disc antilock brakes with brake assist and electronic brakeforce distribution, dynamic stability and traction control are all standard and assure secure cornering and stopping abilities no matter what the weather or road conditions.

The car’s handsome-but-snug interior features aluminum-finished gauges and trim work. The car comes well-equipped, but a few items you’d expect on a car that costs six figures are optional, such as cruise control and high-intensity headlamps. And while a navigation system is offered, you won’t find most gadgets like an iPod adapter, adaptive headlamps or laser-guided cruise control on the options list.
Is the Aston Martin V8 Vantange for You?

Buy the V8 Vantage if
You value vehicular beauty and pure driving pleasure; you seek a status-minded alternative to Italian and German exotic coupes.

Keep Looking if
Two seats don’t cut it; fuel economy is a concern; you prefer a convertible, in which case you should consider the soft-top version of the V8 Vantage when it goes on sale; you’re not into conspicuous consumption.

Who Fits?
As with most low-slung sports cars, access can be challenging; once inside, it’s cozy and opulent; a reasonably generous storage area behind the seats and a hatchback at the rear make it more practical as a cargo carrier than most small coupes.

Closest Competitors
BMW M6, Ferrari F430, Jaguar XK8, Maserati GranSport, Porsche 911 Carrera