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 following burning of money reserves put the automaker in a dire spot. Issues started to alter when, in early 2020, it introduced that Lawrance Stroll would purchase a 16.7 p.c stake within the firm, who, alongside further buyers, 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 aim might even be attainable, nevertheless, the carmaker had a serious 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 stunning second-hand values. Except for the elegant hooligan that was the 715-horsepower DBS Superleggera, the Vantage, DB11, and DBX had flash however no hearth. Would AM scrap its lineup, introducing all-new replacements within the second half of the 2020s, or wouldn’t it replace its present lineup to deliver 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 fundamental construction underpinning its predecessor. Nonetheless, its observe is 1.2 inches wider, incorporating a totally reworked suspension with Bilstein DTX lively dampers. Its inside leaps ahead in high quality, design, and value, whereas energy from its 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 swells to 656 hp. Past its prolonged listing of updates, right here’s what you’ll want to 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 isn’t a fast repair. It’s an adrenaline shot straight to the guts. 

And it may possibly’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 price included. Nonetheless, it begins at $194,500, which means this specific 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 may initially appear avaricious, it’s straight from the Maranello playbook Stroll appears desperate to emulate. Take a peak at Ferrari’s Q3 2024 earnings, and also you’ll see elevated earnings regardless of fewer shipments. The method is straightforward: produce and promote fewer automobiles at increased costs, particularly ones loaded with high-margin extras. 

After all, promoting a minimally revised product at considerably increased 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. Due to focused reinforcements, the Vantage is extra torsionally inflexible, whereas a give attention to shifting weight away from its nostril grants it a great 50:50 distribution. Its Bilstein DTX adaptive dampers, just like what you’ll discover within the DB12 and the Vanquish, supply better bandwidth between drive modes. It will possibly thus be each firmer and extra compliant when essential. 

Make no mistake, although. Whereas the Vantage can double as a grand tourer, given its usable cupboard space and compliant trip, it is going to all the time be a sports activities automotive 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 automotive 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 attainable. It’s desperate to fiddle. With sufficient traction management settings for a 747 cockpit to handle, it means that you can dial again its stability techniques in minute increments. 

Thrilling the rear takes not more than a throttle blip. Flip it off, and the Vantage will throw itself sideways wherever upon request. In contrast to its predecessor, nevertheless, you gained’t end up white-knuckling the wheel, taking massive swings to settle it. As a substitute, because of a extra communicative chassis, you may intuitively really feel because it lets go, and because of fast and exact steering, you may effortlessly neutralize a slide. With 656 hp on faucet, powering by means of is all the time 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, increased compression ratios, new turbochargers, and improved cooling components permit its output to climb to the total 656 hp of immediately. Its torque determine additionally rises to 590 pound-feet, despatched to the again wheels through the ever present ZF eight-speed automated. 

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 bounce in efficiency is staggering, particularly for a automotive with a comparatively quick wheelbase. It’s a brute in a complicated 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 appears it all the time deserved. Telling you it’s a shocking factor is virtually superfluous. Except for 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 elective aero bundle.

Stepping in generates the same feeling. Its cabin is probably the world with probably the most impactful enchancment. From its digital cluster to its large central infotainment display, now with AppleCarplay and Android Auto connectivity, the Vantage is extra than simply aggressive. Moreover, there’s a better stage of flexibility when it comes to 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, not an odd squircle. 

Just like the DB12, the most recent Aston Martin Vantage represents a monumental improve over its predecessor. Nonetheless, 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 totally 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 fulfilling of the pair.

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

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