While I probably wouldn't opt for this hue if choosing my personal ride, it grew on me during the beautiful California afternoon that I enjoyed it. Maybe it was the countless stares and unbridled rubbernecking that occurred as I cruised through Monterey, or possibly a long lost dream of becoming a rock star, reignited by thoughts of Robert Plant's '65 DB5. It wasn't yellow, of course, but I could see someone who enjoys the limelight making this colour choice.
I was more interested in driving the car than concerning myself with colour, and unfortunately my time was limited so my mind was purpose-oriented: find my way out of town quickly, up the Salinas Highway, past Laguna Seca (which was being used that day) for a right turn onto my favorite local byway, Laureles Grade road.
The uprated 420hp 4.7L V8 feels lively under acceleration, 346 lb-ft of torque more than adequate to push 1,630 kilos (3,593 lbs) of car from standstill to 100km/h in a scant 4.7 seconds before seeing 288 km/h (180 mph) on the speedometer, snarling in the upper revs and thoroughly exhilarating at full throttle. I kept the windows down to enjoy as much of the sweet exhaust note as possible and make the event as stimulatingly sensatory as something so civilized would allow. Unlike a Bentley, which is refinement epitomized despite being unfathomably fast, the Vantage feels more connected, more of an extension of my limbs.
Aston offers two man-machine interfaces, and I'm not talking about the beautifully sculpted steering wheel that fits perfectly to thumbs and palms. The first is a six-speed manual that notches ideally into each gear, a joystick that doesn't eschew traditional leather for billet aluminum, like the DBS I drove just before, but nevertheless naturally fits to the hand, and the second item a six-speed sequential manual Aston dubs Sportshift, with requisite paddle shifters attached to the steering column. My example came fitted with the latter, a combination that makes the most of the engine's free-spinning character, transforming intermediate driver into pro, at least when it comes to downshifting, and simultaneously delivering quicker shifts than any human could muster, no matter how talented.
The Vantage took to Laureles Grade like a greyhound on the scent of fresh prey, tackling the circuitous route with overzealous enthusiasm only matched by my own willingness to tempt fate and push the speed limit... just a bit. The Aston's meaty rubber, standard with 235/45ZR18 up front and 275/40RZ18 in the rear albeit mine came shod in optional 19-inch tires, bit into tarmac without commotion while delivering plenty of feedback through the seat of my pants and via the steering wheel. Truly, this car is all about connectivity, from the road through the controls to each appendage, it's a thoroughly visceral experience that must be experienced. Price for the car is $131,500 CDN for the manual, $135,500 for the auto.
While sensational to touch, the Aston's interior is also pure eye candy. My tester featured all-black full grain leather highlighted by contrasting yellow stitching... beyond brilliant and totally stimulating from a sporting perspective. The look, which includes an Alcantara headliner, is probably more Ferrari than Aston, at least by my experience, but then again no Ferrari offers an interior as wonderfully British in nature; the delectable combination of sport and elegance, with electroluminescent gauges seemingly designed by Richard Mille, the Tourbillon RM018 Hommage à Boucheron comes to mind. The details are exquisite, from the crystal keyfob that slots into the upper console between the unorthodox gear selector buttons to a crystal ashtray set into the lower console, if the smoking package is ordered. Aston has even includes a pop-out pen, integrated into the lower tip of the centre stack! What a brilliant idea.
The V8 Vantage is also quite practical as far as sports cars go, with a reasonably accommodating 300-litre (10.6-cu ft) trunk in back, although city fuel economy is hardly eco-friendly at 17.4L/100km. It does much better on the highway, with a 10.8L/100km rating, and as expected, premium fuel is necessary.
Safety features include dual front and side-curtain airbags, along with standard traction and stability control, the latter not only benefiting safety but also very helpful when pushing the limit in less than ideal conditions. Fortunately for me the sun beamed down during my day with Aston's volume seller, allowing for a full agility test and my resulting praise.
Yes, the V8 Vantage is a superb car that, while hardly the quickest, fastest or best handling for the money, is nevertheless in a league of its own. It delivers more than adequate speed and excellent overall control while doling out style, comfort and class in doses that can't be measured in mere statistics. One drive is all you'll need to appreciate what I'm talking about, and then you'll be hooked.
No comments:
Post a Comment