Aston Martin Vantage Coupe

ON THE ROAD

Performance
An Aston Martin with a 4.3-litre V8 sounds exciting, doesn't it? The noise when you hear when you push the starter button even more. The fact is, though, the Vantage doesn't feel as devastatingly quick as you would expect, and it is not all that flexible either.

Ride & handling
The Vantage is much more fun to drive than the DB9. It's agile and pointy in bends, and grip is immense. The ride is firm, but forgiving enough to take the edge of bigger bumps.

Refinement
Aston has done a great job of isolating road noise on most surfaces, and there’s little wind disturbance within UK speed limits. As for the engine, it’s a background murmur when cruising, but crack open the throttle and a metallic timbre rises to a glorious growl that you won’t be able to resist provoking

OWNERSHIP

Buying & owning
The Vantage is meant to be an everyday supercar, like the Porsche 911 – albeit a more exclusive one – so Aston promises maintenance bills will be similar. It costs more than a Porsche to buy, and it drinks fuel at a greater rate, however. Residual values are about the same as a 911's.

Quality & reliability
If the V8 Vantage is to succeed as an everyday supercar, buyers need to be sure it won’t let them down. Aston Martin says reliability won't be a problem but although most of the cabin looks great, some of the switchgear is too similar to cheaper Ford Group models, and the build quality isn't up to Porsche 911 standards.

Safety & security
It’s slightly disappointing to find that there are no curtain airbags in the Vantage. Electronic safety aids include stability control and electronic brakeforce distribution. A Tracker system to help trace the car should it be stolen is optional rather than standard

IN THE CABIN

Behind the wheel
The grippy leather seats are powered, the steering wheel moves two ways and the front and rear windscreens afford a decent forward and rearward view. Angled junctions are another matter – you simply can’t see a thing. If you choose to load your Vantage up with optional equipment, there are lots of small, identical switches that aren’t easy to identify.

Space & practicality
The Vantage is a two-seat hatchback. Its 300-litre boot is big enough for two sets of golf clubs, and there’s a foldaway parcel shelf. More luggage fits on a ledge behind the two seats. The cabin is snug – occupants sit well towards the centre of the car – and there’s not much space for oddments.

Equipment
Leather upholstery, climate control, a six-CD multichanger, 18-inch alloy wheels and electrically adjustable seats come as standard. However, if you want to have satellite-navigation, an in-car telephone, cruise control or bigger wheels, they will cost you extra. In effect, though, you can personalise the Vantage however you want – Astons are still hand-built.

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