Just in time for summer, the new Vantage Roadster offers plenty of fun for the luxury driving enthusiast. Join our curious car seeker Michael Satterfield of GentlemanRacer.com, as he gets behind the wheel and channels his inner James Bond.
BE YOUR OWN 007
When Daniel Craig, as 007 James Bond, gets behind the wheel of an Aston Martin in the film, No Time To Die, you know that adventure is just up the road, literally. Like the film, a spin in an Aston Martin is a thrill a minute.
So it’s no surprise that Aston Martin just dropped the top on their most obtainable car with the release of the 2020 Vantage Roadster. Joining the Vantage Coupe, which has been exhilarating drivers since 2018, the Vantage Roadster rings in the 70th anniversary of the Vantage nameplate, the latest in a long line of open-air sports cars offered by the iconic British marquee.
Power for the Roadster comes from the same 503hp, 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine and mated to an 8-speed ZF automatic transmission that can be found in the Coupe. With a 0-60mph time of just 3.7seconds and a top speed of 190mph, the Roadster won’t fall far behind its hardtop sibling thanks to a weight-saving Z-fold roof and extensive use of aluminum and carbon fiber.
Shedding the roof didn’t cost the Vantage Roadster any of its sporting pedigree, retaining the same dynamic driver controls and chassis/powertrain modes found in the Coupe, but specially tuned for the new Roadster. Meaning that the Vantage Roadster can pull double duty as a comfortable daily driver and exotic performance car, changing personalities at the flip of a switch.
TOP DOWN EXCITEMENT
For those daily driving needs, the top frame has been designed to take up minimal space, allowing top down motoring while still fitting a full-sized golf bag and accessories in the trunk.
Aston Martin President and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Andy Palmer, said of the Vantage Roadster, “Open-top Aston Martins are always firm favorites with our customers, so it’s very exciting to introduce the Vantage Roadster. For many, driving with the roof down is the true definition of the sportscar experience as it truly brings your senses to life. Vantage has always delivered the purest of thrills, but in Roadster form that adrenaline rush is set to go to the next level.”
For 2020 Aston has introduced the iconic Aston Martin vane grille as an option on both the Coupe and the Roadster, giving buyers a more refined option over the track-inspired “hunter” grill that has been with the car since 2018. There is also a new range of optional wheel designs, and for the true sports car enthusiasts, an optional 7-speed manual transmission is offered in the Coupe.
The recommended retail price of the Vantage Roadster starts at $161,000, with deliveries scheduled beginning this spring. So, what are you waiting for?