Aston Martin Vantage (2024) first drive: In the footsteps of the 911 Turbo?

What to do when the international market situation is a little difficult? Well, one option is to unleash new models on customers like there's no tomorrow. That seems to be the motto at Aston Martin at the moment. But somehow it also has to be if you want to recalibrate your image. "Luxury" alone is no longer enough for the Brits. "Performance Luxury" sounds much better, doesn't it?

The last Vantage had the luxury and slight exoticism pretty well under control. Compared to alpha animals such as the Porsche 911 Turbo, a Mercedes-AMG GTR or a McLaren 570S, however, it lacked a little on the "performance" front. 

So it's just as well that the new Vantage has been fully bombarded with the big performance bazooka. Did it do any good? We've now been able to find out. 

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Interior | Driving report | Conclusion

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What is it?

Alongside the steam-hammer SUV DBX707, the more GT-like DB12 and the new Vanquish, which is overwhelming in every respect (number of cylinders/performance/price/beauty), the Vantage plays the role of the classic sports car in the Aston Martin portfolio. It is comparatively compact, has a biturbo V8 in front of the driver, which exclusively drives the wheels behind the driver and, according to its builder, it was "developed for real drivers". 

Priced at £165,000, it is roughly on a par with a 911 Turbo and the Mercedes-AMG GT 63, so the territory to be conquered should be relatively well defined. Vantage fans will have realised that their favourite has become significantly more expensive. The justification: This facelift is much more than a facelift. A radical makeover is probably a better description, and Aston has completely emptied its box of tricks.  

But doesn't it look the same as before, you ask? Well, yes and no. Not too much has changed visually at the rear. But the front is new and looks absolutely gorgeous with the One-77-inspired face. The same applies to the grandiose contours, the breathtaking profile and the incredibly muscular wheel arches. This car is a beauty through and through. Aggressive, elegant, immensely desirable. 

Photos: Aston Martin

Photos: Aston Martin

But Aston Martin also seems to be aware that looks aren't everything, which is why radical optimisation has also been carried out under the shapely sheet metal. You only have to look at the figures to realise what the time has come. The AMG-supplied 4.0-litre biturbo V8 now sends 665 PS towards the rear axle. That is 30 per cent more power than its 510 PS predecessor. Equipped in this way, the entry-level Aston now beams from 0-62 mph in 3.4 seconds and on to a top speed of 202 mph. Blimey!

Sounds like a lot of deep-fried rubber and heroic, nonsensical driving manoeuvres that will get your heart racing? Good old English sports car school? Absolutely, right? However, the new Vantage wants to get rid of this image to some extent. Accordingly, the driving dynamics have been given a lot of attention and the technology has also been given a good boost. 

New features include electronically controlled Bilstein DTX dampers (which the Porsche 992 also uses), adjustable traction control with eight levels from mild to wild and an electronic limited slip differential for the 8-speed transaxle automatic gearbox. The latter now has a shorter gear ratio and improved shift times. In addition, there are Michelin tyres specially developed for the Vantage, which are a good deal wider than before. 

The significant increase in rigidity in the aluminium chassis is certainly not unimportant in the performance context. This is ultimately beneficial in almost all areas. Firstly, because more rigidity enables greater precision and cleanliness in the processing of rider inputs. And secondly, because it also makes the dampers work better and thus ultimately even increases comfort. Even the NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) measures on the steering column have been scrapped in order to increase precision and feedback. 

Interior

Inside, we see strong similarities with the DB12 and the facelifted DBX707. This is very good news. The entire interior is a huge step forward. Of course, the first thing you notice when you plop down from pretty high up are the incredibly attractive bucket seats, which look like they've been stolen from the spaceship of an advanced alien species. Of course, they are bombproof, but they are cut quite optimistically around the thigh-hip area. That's quite tight. But you can get more relaxed seating if you want it. 

I already said in the DBX707 test that the infotainment is about 34 times better than before. Unsurprisingly, this also applies here. The same dilemma, however: widgets, icons and everything else you can click on are very small on the 10.25-inch infotainment screen, which makes it very difficult to find them while driving. 

The mini touchpads on the steering wheel aren't quite as useful either. We are familiar with this from Mercedes (the whole steering wheel looks very busy) and it's not good there either. 

Fortunately, there are a handful of wonderful, very high-quality switches and buttons on the centre console for operating the air conditioning and driving modes. The Vantage is certainly not a paragon of practicality, but I suspect that customers will have adjusted to this. Two seats and 235 litres of boot space will have to suffice. However, you can convert a bit in the back and push it around to get a maximum of 346 litres. That is more than acceptable in a thoroughbred sports car.  

Especially when you consider that the interior of the Vantage exudes this flair in abundance. The workmanship hits the sweet spot between a handcrafted look and mass-produced quality (which wasn't always the case). And then there's the ultra-low, very built-in seating position, all the carbon fibre and the high-quality leather and Alcantara upholstery, which make you want to drive so much before you've even fired up the riotous bruiser under the long bonnet.

Driving report

And the sheer pleasure of driving this vehicle increases with every metre driven. It really doesn't take very long to realise that pretty exciting things are constantly happening here. First entry in the imaginary logbook: "Boy, oh boy, they didn't skimp on the rear-wheel drive." Closely followed by somewhat incredulous admiration at the sensations this beast of an eight-cylinder throws at you. 

Within a very short space of time, you realise how the WHOOOOAs and UUUUUhs are just bubbling out of you. To be honest, I can't remember a comparably early and intense throttle response (alarms are already set off at under 1,500 rpm).

Everything that follows is sheer, brutal, endless power and a general feeling of cosy warmth. Because you're so deep in and so close to the rear axle, every input feels that much more immediate and intense. There is simply not much that makes you happier than the intimate connection to a ferocious V8 driving the rear wheels of a relatively compact car crouching very close to the tarmac. 

Even more so when it is so unleashed with its noise production. It wobbles and babbles and roars from the front, making it a pure show. But even more amusing is what happens behind you in terms of sound. The exhaust system (you're pretty close to it, too) is really revving up and that's exactly what it sounds like. Like a compressor whistling out of control with quite a lot of "brrrrrr" and "grrrrrr". Great.

The gear changes of the 8-speed automatic are quick and crisp, although probably not quite as lightning-fast as a Porsche PDK. However, shifting gears via the beautifully shaped shift paddles is a real pleasure, not least because the click feel of the paddles is very accentuated and special.

However, the impression of unbridled wildness and pure emotion does not only come from the drive unit. The tuning of the suspension and chassis balance is in no way inferior to all the excitement. The heavy, firm steering is incredibly direct, bursting with feeling and authenticity. The car's suspension is naturally quite firm, but never unpleasant or even harsh. The damping feels high-quality, very controlled and also quietly comfortable.

Nevertheless, even when driving normally in Comfort mode, the Vantage shows plenty of welcome corners and edges, always feels eager and very lively with an exciting, very entertaining balance. Understeer is -  at least off the racetrack -  not an issue at all. You can fully rely on the 275 tyres and the front end, which has plenty of grip. The car literally sucks you into every bend.

However, a little caution is required when using the throttle. At least if you are aiming for a clean line. The monstrous torque and the freedom that the engineers give it thanks to the rather chesty set-up quickly makes even the super-thick 325 rear tyres sweat. 

Gallery: Aston Martin Vantage (2024) first drive

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Source: Aston Martin

Even in long bends, where you already have a bit of speed, a little push on the throttle is usually enough to get the bum shaking. But it's not sudden and sneaky, more fluid and smooth. And the control systems are still there if you go completely over the top (if you weren't too brave with the traction control beforehand). 

All in all, the result is an extremely entertaining, thrilling driving experience, characterised by incredible power, playfulness, liveliness, agility and authenticity that you won't find anywhere else, even in the top sports car class. The new Vantage is, if you'll excuse the choice of words, a real wild boar. Certainly not as sinewy as a 911 GT3, certainly not as effective, effortlessly fast and perfect as a 911 Turbo, which is also likely to run circles around the Aston on the racetrack. But the Vantage is certainly the more entertaining car with more character and attitude. 

Conclusion: 9/10

The radically revised Aston Martin Vantage is a major winner. The fantastic V8 with the incredibly full-bodied extra power, the significantly sharper front axle and this lively, slightly dirty set-up somewhere between super sports car, muscle car and hot rod give the car a character that its predecessor didn't have. Rarely have I got out of a vehicle with a bigger grin on my face. 

The new Vantage combines an old-school sports car feel with state-of-the-art, high-quality hardware and software components to create a much more focussed, yet extremely exciting driving experience. 

It's certainly still not as single-minded, perfect and all-round capable as a Porsche 911 Turbo, but it's a much better entertainer. For me, this car epitomises pretty much exactly what Aston Martin should be. Bravo. 

Even more new Astons:

Aston Martin Vantage AMV24 Edition: Even more special V8 announced

New Aston Martin Vanquish revealed with uncompromising 835 PS V12

Aston Martin’s Zagato exclusive quartet available at undisclosed price

Aston Martin DB12 Goldfinger debuts as anniversary tribute with 18k gold