The 2025 Aston Martin Vantage Is For The Drivers

Not way back, Aston Martin discovered itself in a make-or-break level. All through the late 2010s, dwindling gross sales figures and the next burning of money reserves put the automaker in a dire spot. Issues started to vary when, in early 2020, it introduced that Lawrance Stroll would purchase a 16.7 p.c stake within the firm, who, alongside extra traders, sought to inject $655 million to maintain it from flatlining. As soon as in management as Government Chairman, the Canadian billionaire shared his imaginative and prescient: to show AM right into a British Ferrari. Earlier than that objective might even be doable, nevertheless, the carmaker had a significant choice to make.

Again then, Aston Martin appeared like an organization pulled in opposing instructions and stretched skinny. It had plans to pivot, reimagining the Vanquish as a V6-powered mid-engined supercar. In the meantime, its present choices struggled to compete with rivals, as illustrated by slowing gross sales and surprising second-hand values. Other than the elegant hooligan that was the 715-horsepower DBS Superleggera, the Vantage, DB11, and DBX had flash however no fireplace. Would AM scrap its lineup, introducing all-new replacements within the second half of the 2020s, or would it not replace its present lineup to carry aggressive automobiles to market sooner?

A look on the 2025 Aston Martin Vantage reveals the chosen path. Just like the DB12, it carries over the essential construction underpinning its predecessor. Nevertheless, its observe is 1.2 inches wider, incorporating a completely reworked suspension with Bilstein DTX lively dampers. Its inside leaps ahead in high quality, design, and usefulness, whereas energy from its 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 swells to 656 hp. Past its prolonged record of updates, right here’s what you should know concerning the new Vantage: it oozes character. From the noise of its burbly engine to its tail-happy nature and thrilling efficiency, this refresh shouldn’t be a fast repair. It’s an adrenaline shot straight to the center. 

And it might probably’t afford to be something much less. The bite-your-knuckles beautiful Cosmos Orange two-door photographed above prices $291,000, $3,500 vacation spot charge included. Nevertheless, it begins at $194,500, that means this explicit instance wears $96,500 in extras alone, a determine made all of the extra placing contemplating the extinct 2023 mannequin requested for $146,986 to begin. Though this upmarket push would possibly initially appear avaricious, it’s straight from the Maranello playbook Stroll appears wanting to emulate. Take a peak at Ferrari’s Q3 2024 earnings, and also you’ll see elevated earnings regardless of fewer shipments. The formulation is straightforward: produce and promote fewer automobiles at larger costs, particularly ones loaded with high-margin extras. 

After all, promoting a minimally revised product at considerably larger costs is a recipe for failure, and fortunately, not one which applies to the most recent Aston Martin Vantage. Though it could trip on outdated bones, they’ve been coated in Adamantium. Because of focused reinforcements, the Vantage is extra torsionally inflexible, whereas a give attention to shifting weight away from its nostril grants it a really perfect 50:50 distribution. Its Bilstein DTX adaptive dampers, much like what you’ll discover within the DB12 and the Vanquish, supply larger bandwidth between drive modes. It may well thus be each firmer and extra compliant when mandatory. 

Make no mistake, although. Whereas the Vantage can double as a grand tourer, given its usable space for storing and compliant trip, it should at all times be a sports activities automobile first. Whereas its predecessor was a handful, primarily in unsatisfying methods given its sloppy dealing with (the short-lived F1 Version made enhancements, however not almost sufficient), the brand new automobile is a step ahead in each discernable method.

Level its nostril in direction of your favourite again street, and the Aston Martin Vantage will reward you with 911 Turbo S ranges of grip and stability. It combines a broader observe, a brand new digital differential, and bespoke Michelin Pilot S 5 rubber. In contrast to the Porsche, nevertheless, the Vantage isn’t glad with tackling a street as shortly as doable. It’s wanting to fiddle. With sufficient traction management settings for a 747 cockpit to handle, it permits you to dial again its stability programs in minute increments. 

Thrilling the rear takes not more than a throttle blip. Flip it off, and the Vantage will throw itself sideways anyplace upon request. In contrast to its predecessor, nevertheless, you received’t end up white-knuckling the wheel, taking large swings to settle it. As a substitute, due to a extra communicative chassis, you’ll be able to intuitively really feel because it lets go, and due to fast and exact steering, you’ll be able to effortlessly neutralize a slide. With 656 hp on faucet, powering via is at all times extra tempting.

Its 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8, though closely modified by Aston Martin, nonetheless has Affalterbach origins. But, whereas it produced 503 hp in 2023, larger compression ratios, new turbochargers, and improved cooling parts permit its output to climb to the complete 656 hp of at the moment. Its torque determine additionally rises to 590 pound-feet, despatched to the again wheels through the ever-present ZF eight-speed computerized. 

Its claimed 3.4-second time to 60 mph feels vastly underrated, though placing that a lot energy down through the rear tires alone isn’t any simple feat. Nonetheless, the soar in efficiency is staggering, particularly for a automobile with a comparatively brief wheelbase. It’s a brute in a fancy swimsuit, and all the higher for it. 

And what a swimsuit it’s. Though its rear finish is greater than acquainted, provided that it primarily carries over the present tail lights, the entrance clip receives a much-needed facelift. Like its efficiency, the Aston Martin Vantage lastly will get the nice seems to be it at all times deserved. Telling you it’s a surprising factor is virtually superfluous. Other than those that get a kick from being contrarians, I doubt you’ll discover anybody who sees it otherwise. It has a killer stance, the correct mix of sporty and stylish, and, on this tester’s case, a tasteful non-obligatory aero bundle.

Stepping in generates an analogous feeling. Its cabin is probably the realm with essentially the most impactful enchancment. From its digital cluster to its large central infotainment display screen, now with AppleCarplay and Android Auto connectivity, the Vantage is extra than simply aggressive. Moreover, there’s a larger stage of flexibility by way of personalization. Nonetheless, its driving place is ideal, permitting you to take a seat low and cushty, whereas its leather-wrapped steering wheel is definitely wheel-shaped, now not an odd squircle. 

Just like the DB12, the most recent Aston Martin Vantage represents a monumental improve over its predecessor. Nevertheless, it is likely to be tempting to align the Vantage with its GT sibling, given how a lot {hardware} they share, however these are vastly completely different animals. Whereas the 671-hp DB12 is extra highly effective, its longer wheelbase and extra restrained calibration make it a much more docile and approachable machine. For most individuals, it’ll really feel just like the extra pleasing of the pair.

Therein lies the Vantage’s one central asterisk. To expertise simply how good it’s, you must be prepared to fling it round just like the sports activities automobile it’s. Tackling a twisty street at full pace like a Turbo S is rewarding, however the Aston’s magic lies past its grip limits. This can be a automobile for the drivers.

Whether or not this newly outlined persona, made up of a major energy enhance, a refined aesthetic, and a aggressive inside, can be sufficient to compel patrons to shell out giant sums just like the $291,000 this tester instructions stays to be seen. Nevertheless, earlier than Aston Martin ever reaches its objective of changing into a British Ferrari, it wants a robust product line. And because the Vantage proves, it’s off to a robust begin.