2009 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster First Steer
October 14, 2008 by Matt Brogan
Under full noise the box responds well and will manage a decent job of cog swapping in a timely fashion, but when cruising around town at and especially below the speed limit, things become a little awkward, clumsy and difficult to manage in a smooth fashion. It seems throttle pressure is the key to maintaining a steady progression of shifts but this can take some time to familiarise yourself to.
Braking too, whilst certainly capable, requires a little more pedal pressure than early indications would have you believe and as you approach your braking target, a little push from the downshifting of the gearbox will see a momentary change in pedal pressure which becomes disconcerting under close proximity braking. Again, perhaps this is a familiarisation trait that takes some sympathy, more time with the Vantage could prove me wrong here.
The vast array of options fitted to our test vehicle only further enhance the Aston Martin experience and though the costs of such options could arguably be absorbed into the Vantage’s list price, it is nice to know you can get yourself in to a Roadster at the cheaper end of the scale should you not be the type who is fussed with creature comforts and instead enjoys the Vantage in its more pure form.
Were it not for the clumsy and somewhat intrusive Sportshift or the dubiously disparate feel of the brake pedal, this would be an ideal sports roadster. At this end of the scale one is supposed to feel immersed in the finer offerings wealth affords you and when a performance car with marked prestige is one of those luxuries, an Aston Martin Vantage Roadster just about pegs top place. For my money, I’d take the manual any day.
CarAdvice Overall Rating: 
How does it Drive: 
How does it Look:
How does it Go:
Specifications:
- Engine: 4735cc quad cam V8 (32 Valve)
- Power: 313kW @ 7300rpm
- Torque: 470Nm @ 5000rpm
- Transmission: Automated six-speed manual
- Driven Wheels: Rear, Limited Slip Differential
- Brakes: Disc with ABS, EBA & EBD
- Top Speed: 290km/h
- 0-100km/h: 4.9 seconds
- Fuel Consumption: 13.2 litres per 100km (Combined)
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 80 litres
- Fuel Type: 98RON petrol
- NCAP Rating: N/A
- Safety: ESP (with Traction Control), Front & Side Airbags
- Spare Wheel: N/A
- Turning Circle: 11.1 metres
- Warranty: 3 year/Unlimited Kilometre
- Weight: 1710kg (Tare)
- Wheels: 19-inch Alloy (8.5J Front / 9.5J Rear)
A full roadtest and video of the Vantage Coupe and Roadster will be available in December
Yes very nice but the options are a silly price.. They should really be standard.. 300k plus on roads! Far too much for a British Roadster IMO. Cant think of another car for that price that has so little torque..
DanMan, i’m with you. The F430 managed 360kW; RS4 + M3 all get 309kW with 4.2 and 4.0 V8’s respectively and both are getting a bit long in the tooth (moreso RS4). But you are right, it is the torque that annoys me most; it barely makes its’ capacity in torque, and for that money you would want a little bit more of twist for a supposed RWD luxury tourer (as opposed to a harder, more track focused car, F430). Because this thing seriously doesn’t have the speed to hang with Ferrari or Lambo, Porsche, M and AMG. Kind of depressing to spend so much on a car that is gonna struggle to satisfactorily nail Turbo Falcons from the lights. Funny then FPV is my anti-spam word.
My neighbor has the old V8 Vantage with the Sportshift gearbox.
It is one of the worst gearboxes on the market! It’s so shuddery and it’s overly easy to roast the clutch just doing a u-turn!
Manual all the way.
An F430 with auto/man will set you back another $180K and it still doesn’t have the class or looks to match the Vantage. This is probably the stiffest Roadster in the class with a top speed of 290km/h – not fast enough for you?
Weight: 1710kg (Tare)
Torque: 470Nm @ 5000rpm
No way does the above get you to 290KPH.
250 maybe…
For the price i would have an Audi r8 anyday..
DanMan, more torque doesn’t got you a higher top speed, horsepower gives you the top speed, torque gives you acceleration.
Astons are not about being the fastest, it is more about how they go about being so fast that makes them special. Unfortunately, but true, if you don’t understand that comment, then you will never understand Aston.
It’s all about torque, gearing and the frontal area (CO drag efficency)..
hmmm have to go to wikipedia me thinks..
the weight is also a big issue. even with 313kw, it wont get there..
Well they been Bankrupt about 4 times so alot of people dont get it..
I love this car. I think the options are fine and people who complain are only complaining because they cant afford it. DanMan, in your first comment, you talk like british roadsters aren’t any good? I like those wheels, but not as much as the old seven spoke ones and I dont like the five spoke ones on the sports pack, I dont think they go with the car. In the next gen. model, I would like to see both the transmissions improved. The manuals good, much better than the Sportshift, but it is a bit jerky. And it goes without saying the Sportshift needs improving. Aston Martin should strike up a deal with Porsche to get the PDK Transmission. I know it’ll never happen, but Aston Martin would have a great transmission and they could add the much needed paddle shifters. Finally, Frontman, I definitely understand your comment but I think maybe Aston Martin wants to change that to get more 911 sales.
Its a convertible…they’re not built for speed even though they have the goods to do it..
Real performance freaks would take the roofed version and save some money in the process.
The extra pork comes from the chassis being re-enforced because it’s missing a roof though I’m hoping y’all knew that :D
And what years were they bankrupt DanMan you knucklehead? Try 30 years ago or 50 years ago or even 90 years ago.
It\’s the same story with Lamborghini, Bentley, Rolls Royce, Maserati and the list goes on. These car companies are all profitable now with demand greater than ever.
You clearly don\’t know your automotive history mate.
don’t worry about measurements so much, no amount of torque or kW will make up for lost inches, enjoy the face, the sensuality, the texture, the sounds, the experience
That is a ridiculous list of options for a car which costs this much. It also means that if you start ticking the option boxes, you could be waiting a long time for delivery.
Chucky, if you’re spending this much on a car, wouldn’t you want to sod delivery and get the one you want rather than compromising? The next generation should use Jaguars technology so they dont need to add all the extra weight to reinforce the car for lack of roof.