Three years after we witnessed Aston Martin unveil its Vantage Coupe, we are now beholding another sight at the carmaker’s production line. This is because Aston Martin is introducing the latest addition to its sports car range and to its Vantage line – the new Aston Martin Vantage Roadster.
A Vantage Sans The Fixed Roof
Essentially, the Aston Martin Vantage Roadster is the open-air soft-top twin of the Vantage Coupe. In terms of looks, the Vantage Coupe and Roadster are two halves of a whole, with the main difference spelled by the presence (or absence) of the fixed roof.
In addition, the Vantage Coupe and Roadster are both powered by the same 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged M177 V8 engine that delivers 503 hp of max output and 505 lb.-ft. of peak torque. This translates to a scintillating driving experience especially on the open road.
Because of the added weight from the roof mechanism and other factors, the Vantage Roadster is slower than the Coupe in the sprint. The Coupe and the Roadster can accelerate from nil to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds and 3.6 seconds, respectively. The Coupe also has the advantage in terms of top speed (195 mph vs. 190 mph).
Gliding Through The Wind
While it is a fact that the Aston Martin Vantage Roadster loses on the sprint and top speed to the Coupe, it can provide something that its fixed-roofed sibling cannot. Both deliver an exciting combination of top performance and superb dynamics, but only the Roadster can provide the exhilarating joy of driving in open air.
Should the occupants need to be sheltered from the elements, Aston Martin fitted the Vantage Roadster with a fabric hood featuring a Z-fold mechanism. Up to speeds of 31 mph, the soft top can be raised in 6.8 seconds, or lowered in 6.7 seconds. That should be the fastest convertible system fitted in a car!
Now Available To Order
Of course, Aston Martin didn’t just chop off the roof of the Vantage Coupe to create the Roadster. To ensure that the Roadster retains the Coupe’s superb dynamics and outstanding high levels of refinement, the carmaker carefully developed its structural shear panels and chassis components.
The new Vantage Roadster is now available to order at a price of $161,000 in US (£126,950 in the UK and €157,300 in Germany). If you managed to order ahead of almost everyone, you can expect your new Roadster to arrive at your garage in the second quarter of 2020.
Source: Aston Martin