A long running nameplate in the supercar world, the Aston Martin Vantage is a gorgeous and fast car, with a focus on luxury that makes it one of the best grand tourers out there. First used in 1950 on a version of the DB2, the Vantage name signified a higher performance variant of the sports car. Popularized as a similar upgrade on the AMV8, the V8 Vantage came to life as we know it in 1977, helping to save Aston Martin as a brand, and cement the Vantage name as a premiere luxury-oriented supercar.
Now, in 2020, the Vantage is still around and kicking, living on as a V8 powered, luxurious grand touring supercar. The current generation of Vantage with its absolutely stunning looks was unveiled in 2017 to much fanfare and has gotten better year by year, bringing us to the new 2021 Vantage. An evolution of its 2018 model year design, the 2021 Vantage is a thoroughly stunning looking car, with power, performance, and luxury to match.
But what exactly is so cool about the new Vantage? Well, read on to find out:
10 7-Speed Manual Transmission
While the opposite of cutting-edge technology, the 2021 Vantage packs one feature that makes it a unique experience in the modern supercar market, one that fans of traditional driving experiences will rejoice over: a stick shift offered as standard.
In today's sports car market, the days of a manual being offered as the standard transmission are well and truly over, with just a select few new cars on sale today still offering a manual, and an even smaller bunch among those being dedicated sports cars. When it comes to supercars, that number gets even smaller, with automated transmissions being the norm among new high-performance machines.
But, the new Aston Martin Vantage flies in the face of that trend. Debuted in the high performance 2020 Vantage AMR, Aston Martin's seven-speed manual transmission will now come as standard in the 2021 Vantage - with an eight-speed automatic being optional. It's not groundbreaking in terms of advancements, but to see a new supercar offering manual as standard is a breath of fresh air for those of us who still prefer to have a clutch pedal and shift our own gears.
9 Twin-Turbo AMG V8
While the inclusion of a manual transmission makes the new Aston Martin Vantage a fun car, the engine plays the leading role in driving enjoyment, and what powers the Vantage fills that role beautifully.
Forming a partnership with Mercedes Benz' parent company Daimler in 2013, Aston Martin had been receiving technology, like infotainment systems, from Mercedes for use in their cars. Extending to engines as well, the latest generation of the Vantage has been packing the awesome AMG sourced V8 since its unveiling in 2017.
An awesome sounding and performing 4.0 L V8, the AMG powerplant in the Vantage makes 503 hp with the help of twin turbochargers force-feeding air into the engine. While having 500 hp may not the most impressive number in today's market, it's a great power level for everyday driving, giving the Vantage plenty of usable performance and road-going fun - especially when paired with a manual transmission.
8 Full Leather Interior
One hallmark that has always defined Aston Martin as a brand is imbuing their cars with both great performance and sumptuous luxury. The new Vantage is no exception.
While bits of carbon-fiber trim are available, the Vantage's interior prioritizes luxury appointments rather than focus on a sporty lightweight design like many supercars. Among the most impactful ways that the Vantage does this, is by wrapping the whole interior in luxurious leather. Offered as an option, Aston Martin will deck out your Vantage's entire interior with sumptuous leather and faux-suede, giving it an air of luxury that's hard to beat in both looks and comfort.
7 Interior Stitching And Embroidery
A leather interior is luxurious on its own, but with Aston Martin's gorgeous contrast stitching and embroidered designs, the already sumptuous interior can be elevated to a whole new level of greatness.
While contrast stitching is nothing new in the car world, Aston Martin has always done an especially good job of it, acting as the cherry on top of their attractive interiors. The new Vantage continues this, offering a multitude of color options for not only the leather inside but also the sweet contrast stitching that runs across it. Furthering the bespoke touches, Aston Martin also offers embroidery options like the Aston Martin logo, or Vantage nameplate across the seats, made by hand just like the leather seats themselves.
6 Vane Grille
One of the most distinctive design features on the Vantage's 2018 refresh, the aggressive "Hunter" grille (pictured below) is now accompanied by the new traditional "Vane" grille design (pictured above).
While the Hunter grille was an awesome design, Aston Martin decided to refresh the Vantage's face for 2021, substituting the striking lip and mesh from the Hunter grille to give the car a smoother, more elegant and traditional look. While the Hunter grille gave the Vantage's new body a uniquely aggressive front end, the new Vane design bears a stronger resemblance to past Aston Martin models, like the DB10 which inspired it. Fitted with a more traditional inner grille design and lack of lip to make the design flow together, the new Vantage is as stylish as ever and still offers the Hunter grille as an option if you prefer it.
5 World's Fastest Convertible Roof
The new Aston Martin Vantage may not be the fastest supercar on the market today, but as a luxury-oriented one, it packs one feature that is the fastest in the world for its type - namely the convertible roof.
While the Vantage Roadster may be marginally slower in performance than the coupe version, its roof is rather incredible. Named the "Z-Fold" mechanism, the new Vantage Roadster's top is remarkably lightweight compared to the competition, allowing it to also eclipse convertible competitors with its opening and closing speed. Taking just 6.7 seconds to fold the roof away, and 6.8 seconds to fully deploy it again, the Vantage Roadster has the fastest operating automated convertible roof you can buy today and can be opened or closed at speeds up to 31 MPH.
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4 Chassis Stiffening (Roadster)
Typically, removing a car's roof and turning it into a convertible has the downside of adding weight, and weakening chassis stiffness, as the solid roof acts as a major bracing point for the car's body.
Aston Martin has accounted for that problem with the new Vantage Roadster, however, firstly with their (relatively) lightweight "Z-Fold" convertible mechanism, and secondly by pouring plenty of effort into compensating for the dip in structural integrity. Incorporating structural braces, adjusting the rear suspension dampers, and strengthening the chassis itself, Aston Martin managed to make the Vantage Roadster defy the typical handling problems convertible supercars face.
3 Torque Vectoring
Speaking of handling, one feature that both the coupe and roadster make use of to help handle wonderfully is torque vectoring, an advanced system that optimizes grip.
Using an electronically controlled rear differential, the Vantage's onboard computer can take full control of which wheel is receiving power, and how much power is being sent in turn. While not a brand new system in the industry, it is for Aston Martin, being introduced on the 2020 Vantage as the brand's first use of it. It works to great effect, helping to give the Vantage some awesome handling to accompany its gorgeous looks and luxurious interior.
2 Snowflake Wheels
Designing a drop-dead gorgeous body is one thing, designing an awesome set of wheels to match is another, and one that elevates the look of the entire car with it. An option on the 2021 Vantage are these "Snowflake" wheels, and they do exactly that.
Simple looking from afar, the Snowflake wheels stand out with their slim spokes, and in the silver and black paint scheme draw attention to their elegant lines, while also highlighting the big brakes on the Vantage. But, look closer, and the Snowflake wheels reveal their true complexity and beauty in stunning fashion. At $3,100 for the set, they aren't cheap but are some of the most uniquely cool wheels to be offered from the factory.
1 A Plethora Of Options
Maybe you're considering buying the new Vantage if you have the money, but what about options? Well, don't worry, as the Vantage is packed with plenty of them for you to spend your money on.
With options packages like a tech and comfort pack, you can go down the sensible route, but you can also choose from the long list of a la carte options and go wild. Stuff like glass switches, colored seat belts, a carbon fiber steering wheel, a 360-degree camera, heated and ventilated seats, and much more are all available to make your Vantage your own. But, they'll cost you, as options like an Aston Martin branded umbrella costs $300, a first aid kit costs $200, and colored brake calipers cost a whopping $1,600. Regardless of whether they're worth it, the Vantage doesn't disappoint when it comes to offering a bespoke suite of options.