Josh Bozin
It’s safe to say that it’s every man’s dream to drive an Aston Martin. Why? Because what’s not to love? The luxury British automotive powerhouse personifies elegance and class by effortlessly interweaving performance, engineering prowess and bespoke craftsmanship into every single vehicle, and above all, it’s a hell of a ride.
It’s a car that will always be cool; ethereal-like. Whether it’s at the hands of the world’s most notorious secret agent, 007 – the Aston Martin DB5 is the car that started it all when it debuted in the 1964 James Bond film Goldfinger – or simply whilst cruising around the city yourself, when people hear the roar of an Aston Martin fly past, be it for the first time or the millionth, the reaction is always the same: complete and utter infatuation.
Why is that? Sure, a Ferrari or Lamborghini might receive a similar reception, but there has always been something a bit too flashy and gratuitous. Aston Martin, in a very British way, just carries on with its business in an unbashful kind of way, and that’s admired.
Driving an Aston Martin is a very special experience, and fortunately for the team at Man of Style, we were able to get behind the wheel of the still newish Vantage Roadster for one weekend.
Aston Martin launched the Vantage Roadster last year to sit alongside its established Vantage Coupe – which launched in 2018 – amplifying the emotional appeal of a model renowned for delivering a compelling blend of potent performance, outstanding dynamics and everyday usability.
When you look at this vehicle, the first thing that comes to mind is #BeastMode. The second is just how beautifully appointed it is. For example, the soft top is brilliant, with Aston Martin delivering a lightweight Z-fold roof mechanism with a durable fabric shell that not only looks good but is incredibly functional (it can be lowered in 6.7 or raised in 6.8 seconds at speeds of up to 50kmh).
Under the hood, the Vantage Roadster is powered by Aston Martin’s 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine and mated to an 8-speed ZF automatic transmission, accelerating from 0-100kmh in just 3.7sec, and capable of 300kmh with the roof raised. As you’d expect from a dedicated sports car, a choice of Sport, Sport + and Track chassis modes – also tuned specifically for the Roadster – give you complete control of its dynamic character and behaviour.
And boy does it sound good in the process; a sound that is boisterous and quite unforgettable.
“Convertible sports cars are often seen as compromised when compared to their Coupe equivalents, but the Vantage Roadster remains absolutely dedicated true to its mission of delivering precise, agile and expressive handling dynamics combined with stonking straight-line performance,” says Matt Becker, Aston Martin Chief Engineer.
“Of course, there’s also the added dimension of driving a great-sounding sports car with the roof down.”
The two-place passenger cabin is lined with premium hides and polished metals, which just reflect the level of craftsmanship and detail that goes into every facet of an Aston Martin. It’s gorgeous. But that’s the point; the Aston Martin Vantage Roadster – and any Aston Martin for that matter – appeals most to those who appreciate luxury and elegance. It’s the car for those who want premium cutouts married with style and flair.
The future for Aston Martin is a bright one, beefing up their commitment to the future of automotive with electric, hybrid and hypercars on the way, set to change the way you commute. Aston Martin also launched its new top-tier, luxury SUV range, the DBX, to compete with its counterparts in the market, like the Porsche Cayenne and Macan, the Bentley Bentayga, and the Lamborghini Urus.
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The recommended retail price for Vantage Roadster in Australia is $314,635.50 excluding on road costs. The price as tested is $384,036.