- 2013 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Convertible
It is the best of British design and it is the worst of British design. The 2013 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Convertible is a mixed bag of old and new that defines a car and a brand in the process of reinventing itself both inside and out. There are only 3,770 lbs. to tote around and it is moved about by an all-aluminum naturally aspirated 4.7-liter V8 developing 430 horsepower at 7,300 rpm and 361 pound-feet of torque at 5,000 rpm. There are two transmission choices: a rear-mounted six speed manual gearbox or a seven-speed Sportshift I single clutch automatic shifter. Most U.S. customers opt for the latter.
This car goes from a standstill to 60 in 4.7 seconds and has a top speed of 180mph. It moves like a rocket and feels substantial without being heavyset. Steering feels nimble and accurate.
On the downside, the dash controls are arranged in away that only a NASA engineer could decipher. Those buttons are placed in a console that is “been-there-done-that” by now after seeing it since 2006. Please don’t think that I am bashing the finely crafted interior – especially after exiting the Bentley Continental’s console which is festooned with buttons also.
These are just smaller and the Bentley’s are more logically arranged. I doubt owners will care too much after being hypnotized by the yards of beautifully hand-stitched cowhide and splendidly comfortable seats. Free from the grasp of Ford, this car still has traces of a mass produced parts bin for a car costing roughly $156,000. These are small points that I am sure will be addressed in the next design cycle and take nothing away from the Aston Martin V8 Convertible’s charm.
This is a very capable car to drive. There is one major drawback of the Aston Martin V8 Vantage Convertible: You will inevitably pull up to a stop light near your gated community and be confronted by a neighbor who spent the extra $30,000 bucks on a beautiful, fully-grown Aston Martin DB9 Volante. The baby Aston is austere without being minimal. While not the biggest, it has an appeal of its own.
Please take a look at this comparison review of the Aston Martin Vantage vs. Jaguar XK.
