2009 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Convertible Road Test Review

by
Canadian Auto Press

What’s the most beautiful car in the world? The '20s brought us Bugatti’s T35, the Mercedes-Benz SSK and Hispano-Suiza H6,

A lot of beautiful cars have graced this earth, and Aston's gorgeous V8 Vantage Roadster is easily worthy of this list. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

plus a bevy of Duesenbergs. In the ‘30s it was the Bugatti Type 57 Atlantique, Alfa Romeo’s P3 8C and Auburn’s Speedster. The Talbot-Lago T150C SS was wonderful too, as was just about any Cadillac or Duesenberg and the Mercedes-Benz 500K/540K was glorious. The '40s have me thinking of Buick Roadmaster Convertible Sedans and Cadillac Series 62 Coupe De Villes, but truly my heart swings to the Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS. In the '50s the Austin Healey 3000 comes to mind, but then again the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing might just be my favourite. I have a strange love affair with the Citroën’s DS too (voted No.1 of all time by 20 of the top automotive designers in a recent poll, mind you), but what about Jaguar's D-type/XK-SS, BMW’s 507, Lancia’s Aurelia or Chevy’s Bel Air? No, Aston Martin's DB4 GT Zagato has to take it. Then again, I have a particular fondness for Bentley’s Continental S2/S3 and R-type Continental. The late ‘50s and early '60s introduced us to Jaguar’s XKE/E-Type Coupe (as well as the classic Mk2), considered by many to be the most beautiful car of all time. But some will dispute this because of Ferrari’s 250 GT SWB, 365 GTB/4 “Daytona” or 275 GTB or California. I have four personal favourite ‘60s era cars, the beautiful Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GT, Lancia Fulvia Coupé, Maserati

A fabulous design, whether coming or going. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

3500 GT (I previously owned a Mexico) and (I simply must own one someday) Ferrari 330 GTC. Detroit iron fans will point to the '63 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray split-window, Buick’s Riviera, or for that matter one of Shelby’s Mustangs or Cobras, or Cadillac’s Eldorado? Then there was the first mid-engine sports car, Lamborghini's Miura, followed up with Ferrari's beautiful little Dino 206/246 GT, Ford’s muscular GT40 and Alfa Romeo’s outrageously rare and stunningly beautiful T33 Stradale. Whew, the ‘60s were amazing for car design. Lancia’s tiny Stratos made a big splash in the ‘70s, but not as big as Lamborghini’s original and unmolested Countach, and who can deny Ferrari’s beautiful 308. Or the simple, tastefully elegant Lotus Esprit. And while the Porsche 911 began life in the ‘60s, my personal favourite model year is 1973 – S trim, thank you. And what about the ‘80s? Ferrari’s 288 GTO is very special, as is Aston Martin’s V8 Vantage Series 2, and Jaguar’s XJ Series III (yes, I know production started in ’79), while the brought us the McLaren F1, Jaguar XJ220 and attainable

The British marque has soldiered on with fabric soft tops, and from a visual standpoint, not to mention weight savings, I'm glad they did. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

exotics like Nissan’s near perfect 300ZX. The ‘00s have been interesting too. The Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione is gorgeous in every way as is Bugatti’s Veyron, but they’re almost too rare to register on most peoples’ radar. The new Jaguar XK is beautiful, but truly, the most beautiful modern day car is Aston Martin’s glorious V8 Vantage.

Some will appreciate my little sojourn down memory lane, while others will have skipped right past it, read the captions on the photos or stopped reading somewhere in the ‘40s. And with regards to the latter group, that’s ok, because this car really isn’t for them. Others still, will write and in and mention a car not on my list that deserves credit, and I’ll probably agree, something like BMW’s 3.0 CS coupe or any number of Ferraris, or being that we’re talking Aston Martin, just about any car the brand has built over its 95 year history (except for maybe the V8 Zagato from the mid-‘80s). And while I state unapologetically that the new V8 Vantage is the most beautiful car currently being made, I might just as easily swing to the DB9/DBS, as its design

Beauty, even under the hood. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

characteristics conjure up the same emotion as the smaller car. And funny thing, I know so many people who have never driven this car, yet still want it on looks alone. And for some of these poor souls who married a money-grubbing trophy wife for the same reason and are now lamenting the decision, I have good news for you… well, at least with regards to the Aston. It drives brilliantly.

I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to a tachometer that spins backwards, but that doesn’t mean I don’t love the eccentricity resulting from paying homage to the past. It comes to life when the engine “START” button is pressed, igniting a lively 420-horsepower 4.7-litre, 32-valve, DOHC V8 with 346 lb-ft of torque. Not supercar levels of power, but plenty to launch this 1,710-kilo (3,770-lb) roadster to 100 km/h in a brisk 5.1 seconds and on to a top speed of 290 km/h (180 mph).

My

On winding canyon roads there are few cars more entertaining. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

example featured no shifter in the centre console, a void that appeared strangely unorthodox and almost disconcerting at first glance, but soon dissipated from my thoughts as I rowed through the steering-column mounted paddles on my way out of my Monterey, California hotel driveway. The shifts are light and crisp, smooth at low speed and brilliantly quick in the upper ranges.

I took to the highway right away, winding my way down to Carmel Valley Road, a long even stretch of highway that points inland, at least in the direction I was driving. My upcoming left turn would be Laureles Grade Road, a serpentine hill climb of pristine banked tarmac that’s ideal for testing one of the more capable convertibles on the market, or so I’ve been told. A sharp left saw me pull over to the curb and wait for slower moving traffic in front to disappear far ahead, enough space created between me and the car that was now coming up from behind so as to allow for a spirited jaunt through pavement heaven. This really is a fabulous run, extreme vertical and tight switchback curves all rolled into a rollercoaster ride of fairground glee, the V8 Vantage Roadster managing each corner with controlled poise and each straight with unbridled enthusiasm, its engine revs kept high and response to throttle input immediate and thoroughly enjoyable. It’s a more viscerally pleasing car than a BMW 6-Series or Mercedes-Benz SL, for instance, with a little more rear-end slip available to make you feel like you’re actually in control of the direction rather than the other way around, although fear not as standard traction and stability control overrides most any overly optimistic input before you go sliding off of an embankment or into a solid rock abutment, as could have been the case if in the hands of an overzealous amateur on this particular road. I have had enough education to know something about how a car handles, and more importantly enough to know my own

A gorgeous, comfortable yet sport-oriented cabin. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

limitations, so for this particular stretch, that features fallen rocks and sandy patches on occasion, the electronic nannies remained in default “ON” position, whereas the systems can be switched off for a little tail wagging, rubber burning fun if you so desire.

Rather than top the crest and head down to the T-junction at Salinas Hwy (68), where Laguna Seca beckons, I took a few photos on a favourite side road and headed back down the hill. The spring and Bilstein dampers managed the downward load well, and the brakes are Brembos and therefore strong with four-piston calipers at all corners and 13.5-inch front and 13-inch rear ventilated and grooved rotors. These are framed by 8.5- by 19-inch alloy rims on 235/40 ZR19 Bridgestone Potenzas fore and 9.5- by 19-inch wheels wrapped in 275/35 ZR 19s aft, for a light feel yet massive stopping power.

With

The details are truly exquisite. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

the top down the wind can be felt, but the V8 Vantage Roadster is very well isolated compared to some of its premium rivals. This complements a beautifully arranged cockpit that is much, much nicer than the 2007 model I previously tested, with leather just about everywhere that aluminum and high-quality matte-finish plastics aren’t. Interesting touches like a crystal ashtray complement what might be the most coveted key fob in history, an electronic device also made of crystal that lights up in its centre-dash-mounted slot.

I should mention that the engine this ignition system connects to is a more potent beast than the previous V8, having grown by 400 cubic centimeters in displacement and therefore having received a bump in horsepower and torque, it’s a much more satisfying performer. Aston revised its ECU mapping too, making the most of the 40-horsepower bump and variable inlet cam timing.

Perfect body... perfect soul. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

Torque is now up 15-percent, but the car’s seat-of-the-pants fun factor is improved by a much larger percentage.

As I wind out of the mountains, the envy of every passing eye, the Aston looks perfect against the mountainous backdrop. It looks perfect as I make my way back towards the hotel too, detouring down to Oceanview Drive and parking it against a tumultuous Pacific surf, rocky shoreline and crashing waves framing what is truly the most beautiful modern-day convertible money can buy. Now that the car’s powertrain and dynamics are improved, complemented by an interior to match the perfection of its silky smooth skin, there’s not much needed to make the V8 Vantage Roadster better. Truly, you can take comfort in knowing that this gorgeous machine now drives as beautifully as it looks.

Specifications (2009 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster):

• Price Range (MSRP): $146,800 – $160,200
• Body Type: 2-door roadster
• Layout: front engine, RWD
• Engine: 420-hp, 346 lb-ft of torque, 4.7L, 32-valve, DOHC V8
• Transmission: 6-spd manual (opt. 6-spd sequential manual)
• Brakes (front/rear): disc/disc, ABS
• Curb Weight: 1,710 kg (3,770 lbs)
• Acceleration (0 - 100 km/h): 5.1 seconds
• Top Speed: 290 km/h (180 mph)
• Exterior Dimensions (L/W/H/WB): 4,383 / 1,866 / 1,265 / 2,600 mm (172.5 / 73.5 / 49.8 / 102.4 in)
• Seating Capacity: 2
• Cargo Volume (trunk): 144 L (5.0 cu-ft)
• Fuel Economy (est. city/hwy/combined): 19.4 / 9.6 / 21.4 L/100 km (w/ sequential-manual)
• Warranty (mo/km): 36/unlimited comprehensive
• Direct Competitors: BMW M6 Cabriolet, Chevrolet Corvette Convertible, Dodge Viper SRT10 Roadster, Jaguar XKR Convertible, Mercedes-Benz SL550, Porsche 911 S / Turbo Cabriolet
• Web Site: www.astonmartin.com