Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster

Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster

The 2012 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster looks like a million bucks and snakes through corners with near-perfect manners. The midlevel audio system option sounds excellent, and there is an even better audio system available. The 2012 Aston Martin Vantage looks gorgeous, and the new versions with V-8 engines, Coupe and Roadster, put the marque in a price range affordable to a greater portion of the 1 percent. But a few good reasons exist not to buy one. First, everyone and his brother, not to mention sisters, aunts, nephews, and third cousins, will make some reference to James Bond at the mere mention of the car.   Second, the specter of Lucas, the British company famous for faulty parts, inhabits the electronics. The parking brake, despite its classic-looking lever, is electronically actuated, and proved troublesome to release. The radio display occasionally got stuck in phone mode, and the only way to force it to switch to the audio interface was to plug an iPod or USB into the car. However, those issues make little difference when gazing upon the tight, roadster body with its classic proportions, or when listening to the rough growl of the 4.7-liter engine when the revs climb. Pushing the button labeled Sport and pointing the stiff-bodied Vantage into a turn, feeling its tail happily slide out, will emphasize the view out the windshield, sidelining any concern over tuning in a satellite radio station.  The new Vantage incorporates Aston Martin design quirks, such as the row of buttons on the dashboard that serves as a drive selector. In the midst of these buttons sits the slot for the crystal ignition fob. Drivers will also need to get used the counter-rotating speedometer and tachometer. Much of what puts the V8 Vantage Roadster's price well over $100,000 is the coachwork, which favors leather and metal instead of plastic. V-12 engines power most of Aston Martin's models, but the company downsized the engine for the V8 Vantage to make it more affordable. This new 4.7-liter V-8 engine, with its massive intake manifold, looks powerful, but is not all that special. Its output of 420 horsepower and 346 pound-feet of torque comes in under that of the latest V-8 Ford Mustangs. Despite the power, the V8 Vantage hits 60 mph in a very respectable 4.7 seconds. And it does it with a thrilling exhaust note, a throaty growl that rises and falls with the gear shifts. The naturally aspirated engine delivers its power easily, and the Sport button makes the accelerator even more responsive. Fuel economy, 14 mpg city and 21 mpg highway, is about average for an engine of this size. Aston Martin V8 Vantage is powered by a 4735cc V8 32-valve petrol engine; it generates maximum power of 420 bhp with maximum torque of 470 nm. It can accelerate from 0-100 kmph in just 4.9 seconds and top speed of Aston Martin V8 Vantage is 290 kmph. Aston Martin V8 Vantage S is powered by a 4735cc V8 32-valve petrol engine; it generates maximum power of 430 bhp with maximum torque of 490 nm. Aston Martin V8 Vantage comes factory-fitted with a 160W Aston Martin audio system with 6 CD autochanger. It also features integrated Apple iPod connector plus USB connectivity.