Feature
7 Left-Field Rarities on the Market Right Now
Join us as we go window shopping for the best rare, quirky and appreciating supercars on the market right now.
January 17, 2025
Join Paul for a delve into the details of the new Aston Martin Vantage.
Ah, the Aston Martin Vantage Roadster – a car so outrageously pretty it makes other cars look like they’ve fallen out of the ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down. Yes, it looks a lot like the old one. But when the old one was so good-looking it made grown adults weep, is that really a problem? If your first-born child was perfect, you wouldn’t have another one just for the sake of change, would you? You’d stick with what works – as Aston Martin has done. And thank goodness for that, because this thing is stunning. Again.
But this time, it has no roof. Aston has replaced it with a fabric number that can drop in 6.8 seconds – the fastest convertible roof in the world, apparently. It’s so quick, you could start lowering it while parked at traffic lights and finish before the person next to you realises their car is still boring. Plus, you can do it at speeds of up to 31 mph, meaning you won’t have to pull over when a surprise British monsoon strikes. Not that you’d care – the roof is just an excuse to better hear the thunderous roar of that V8.
Let’s cut to the chase: under the bonnet of the Vantage Roadster lies a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, and it’s packing 656 bhp. Yes, you read that right – 656! That’s not just powerful; that’s stupidly powerful. It’s the automotive equivalent of doing your weekly shop with a bazooka. You don’t need it, but oh my, isn’t it brilliant?
This angry lump of an engine catapults the Roadster from 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds, and if you keep your foot down, you’ll hit 202 mph. That’s fast enough to rearrange your organs and terrify your neighbours when you blast past their electric whatevers. Speaking of which, this is where Aston Martin deserves a standing ovation: they’ve resisted the government-mandated push towards hybrids and electrics.
That’s right – while other manufacturers are bolting electric motors onto everything with wheels and calling it progress, Aston Martin is sticking with petrol. Not a single hybrid in the lineup. Not one. They’ve basically said, “We’ll get to that when we’re good and ready – and even then, it’ll be for the hypercar, not some watered-down compromise.” The result? A car that’s gloriously loud, unapologetically old-school, and refreshingly devoid of the hybrid nonsense no one actually asked for.
So, what’s it like to drive? Well, from the glowing reports I’ve read (and the photos of people grinning like idiots behind the wheel), it seems to be properly brilliant. The chassis has been stiffened to ensure it doesn’t flex like a boiled noodle, and the adaptive suspension keeps things civilised on rough roads while turning the car into a corner-chewing lunatic when you fancy some fun.
The steering is said to be precise and full of feedback, which is exactly what you want in a car like this. It’s rear-wheel drive, naturally, so there’s ample opportunity to make a spectacle of yourself if you’re feeling brave. Or foolish. Either way, you’ll come away from every drive feeling like you’ve had an actual experience, which is something you simply don’t get with the silent hum of an EV.
Climbing into the Vantage Roadster is like stepping into a private members’ club. Leather and Alcantara cover every surface, and the seats look like they’ve been carved from the same stuff luxury yachts are made of. It’s all very Aston Martin – opulent, stylish, and just a little intimidating, as if the car is quietly judging you for not wearing a tailored suit.
The infotainment system has been upgraded, which is good news for anyone who hated the last one (read: everyone). There’s a new 10.25-inch touchscreen that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so you can sync your phone and pretend to navigate, even though you’ll just be driving aimlessly for fun. Crucially, Aston hasn’t gone full touchscreen. There are still physical buttons for important things, like climate control, which means you won’t have to poke at a screen like an annoyed pigeon when you’re mid-corner.
Look, let’s not waste time pretending this car is practical. The boot holds 200 litres, which is just about enough for a weekend bag and maybe a bottle of something nice if you’re good at Tetris. But let’s face it, if you’re looking for practicality, you’re not reading this. You’re probably off comparing the boot sizes of hybrid SUVs, which is fine, but also deeply depressing.
And fuel economy? Well, Aston claims 22 mpg combined, but let’s be honest – this car isn’t about sipping fuel. It’s about setting it on fire and laughing as you rocket down the road. If you’re concerned about mpg figures, I’m afraid you’ve missed the point entirely.
Ah, yes, the price. The Vantage Roadster starts at around £180,000, and by the time you’ve added the louder exhaust, some carbon fibre, and perhaps a bespoke paint job, you’re probably looking at something closer to £220,000. That’s a lot of money. But it’s also a lot of car. This isn’t a mode of transport – it’s a rolling theatre production. And while the ticket price is high, the show is worth every penny.
The Aston Martin Vantage Roadster is more than just a car. It’s a glorious middle finger to the soul-sapping, hybrid-powered future that car manufacturers and governments keep trying to sell us. It’s loud, fast, and dripping with character. It doesn’t care about saving the planet or winning eco awards. It’s here to remind us why we fell in love with driving in the first place – the noise, the speed, the drama.
Sure, it looks a lot like the last one. But when the last one was this good, why would you change it? The Vantage Roadster is a love letter to petrolheads everywhere – so buy one, drop the roof, fire up that V8, and let the rest of the world bask in the sound of progress being ignored.
