Used 2019 Aston Martin Vantage

The completely reimagined Vantage roars into Aston Martin’s line up as their entry-level sports offering. The British Vantage looks to wrestle competitive market share from the talons of the ubiquitous German Porsche 911. With a world-class Mercedes-AMG-sourced twin-turbocharged V8, exceptional driving dynamics including a stiff aluminum chassis, electronic torque vectoring, and precision steering and braking, the Vantage offers a spirited and driver-focused experience behind the wheel. Sculptural design that gracefully integrates aerodynamics and a cockpit-inspired interior with the driver’s comfort and accessibility in mind, the Vantage quickly cements for itself a special place in the sports-car pantheon.

The 2019 Aston Martin Vantage drives much sportier than its larger and heavier sibling, the DB11. The steering feels quicker and much more responsive. Despite the steering ratio being the same as the DB11’s, the Vantage’s shorter wheelbase makes it effectively feel nimbler. Almost four inches shorter than the grand-touring DB11, the 2019 Aston Martin Vantage feels as firmly planted on the road as the DB11, yet acts far more assertively.

Body roll is nearly indiscernible, and there is plenty of grip from the Pirelli PZero tires. There’s sufficient power from the twin-turbo engine to effortlessly break the rear end free, light up those sticky tires, and slide sideways should the driver desire. The power reserve from the V8 is extraordinarily deep and useable.

Three powertrain/chassis modes give the driver customizable options including Sport, Sport Plus and Track settings. With each more extreme mode, the exhaust progressively opens up, gifting the occupants with more V8 music while automatic gearshifts on the 8-speed ZF transmission become more aggressive.

The 2019 Aston Martin Vantage’s thoughtfully designed interior accommodates drivers as tall as 6-feet-six-inches. But even a more diminutive person fits perfectly in the cabin with good visibility. The sport seats are comfortable but firm and supportive and keep the driver stable even around slippery hairpin turns.

The driver sits as close as designers could get her to the center of the cockpit. For easy access to shortcut buttons, the center console has been reimagined. No longer using Aston’s traditional waterfall design, the Vantage’s controls are directly adjacent to the driver’s thigh, closer and more convenient. Toggle switchgear, dials and knobs work in concert with two digital screens — one at the gauge cluster and the other atop the center stack — for navigation, entertainment and interior comfort functionality.

Being every bit an Aston Martin, the interior exudes indulgence with Balmoral Scottish leather, lux-trim finish materials, and amenities including optional heated and ventilated seats.

More aggressive and athletic than its predecessor, which last debuted in 2005, the 2019 Aston Martin Vantage stands apart from the rest of the luxury product line, both visually and dynamically. A sloped shark nose and jutting, 3-dimensional gaping grille and lip extensions make for a very serious race face. The low-arching roofline and broad haunches make this front-engine/rear-drive coupe look grid-ready.

Aerodynamic features developed very early on in the design phase mean there are no deploying air blades or wings attached like an afterthought. The front splitter and rear diffuser as well as side gills and aero equipment on the undercarriage of the car, all act in concert to keep the Vantage’s nose sniffing close to the ground while its rear end stays firmly planted. The effect produces solid balance and stability, as well as being aesthetically handsome.

Where the DB11 exudes a mature, monogrammed gentleman’s poise, the Vantage personifies a dashing rogue out to blast around and have a jolly good time.

ELECTRONIC REAR DIFFERENTIAL
The new Vantage gets an electronic rear differential – a first for Aston Martin. The e-diff links to the stability control system and electronically varies the torque sent to each of the rear wheels. Adding to the driver’s choices, traction and stability control can be completely switched off if so desired.

PADDLE SHIFTERS
The paddle shifters for manual transmission control are large and easy to get at, fixed as they are to the steering column, not the wheel. Shifts feel quick even when downshifting more than one gear at a time.

Standard interior features on the 2019 Aston Martin Vantage include an 8-inch LCD screen with integrated navigation, Bluetooth phone connectivity, USB connectivity, and an Aston Martin audio system. Other amenities included in the base price include a 360-degree camera, front and rear parking sensors, blind-spot detection, keyless entry, a titanium mesh front grille, and sport seats.

Options for the 2019 Aston Martin Vantage are plenty and include sport-plus seats, a heated leather or Alcantara steering wheel, full-leather interior, bespoke options for a paint-to-sample exterior, carbon-ceramic brakes, and carbon-fiber exterior trim pieces.

A gregarious sound emanates from the Vantage’s formidable Mercedes-AMG-sourced biturbo 4.0-liter V8 engine, which makes 503 horsepower and 505 lb-ft of torque. This is the second application by Aston Martin of the German mill, the first being the delightful DB11 V8, the Vantage’s larger cousin. The AMG engine pumps about 80 hp more into the new 2-seater than the old V8 GT. At 3,373 pounds, it carries around about 300 pounds less, for a greatly improved power-to-weight ratio. After beating it around the track, Aston Martin’s claims of a 0-60 mph time of 3.5 seconds and a top speed of 195 mph seem achievable.

4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8
503 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
505 lb-ft of torque @ 2,000-6,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/25 mpg (automatic)