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THE OPENER

The V8 Vantage Roadster is the first model to emerge since Aston’s UK-headed buy-out; it sure reflects its new freedoms and stands to be a bit of an eye-opener…

Aside from the tropical range of colours the Roadster is available in; it drives less sedately than you may imagine something this posy to. Right from the initial design stages Aston had a convertible version in mind which is why it is so on the pulse when it comes to handling. Take any other Volante model and there just isn’t the same rigidity as the Vantage Roadster. It even breaks in to the territory of other top-class rivals and demonstrates that Aston is at the heart of the sporting game.

With 14% stiffer front springs than its coupe equivalent as well as 17% stiffer springs at the rear, it’s well equipped for speed. On the other hand they haven’t overdone it; you can still bridge pot holes and roll up gravely National Trust driveways with relative comfort. You do loose out a bit on delicacy with the steering and the front tyres grip a little late in to fast corners but once you get used to the stiff front springs and the way the car behaves, the drive is pretty thrilling.

The main structural additions include a tougher cross-brace which sits behind the dash and thicker aluminium undertrays at both ends rather than one plastic and the other aluminium. Both undertrays also benefit from better bonded re-enforcements to the chassis. A sports pack will also be available for the coupe, however its worth noting that the coupe has 19,900lb ft of torsional stiffness per degree of twist compared to 15,500lb ft per degree for the Roadster so it still has the advantage. The point is you won’t miss any of it if you opt for the Roadster, open top or not it puts you in no doubt of its capabilities.
Of course having the roof down also allows you to hear the V8 which is a beautiful thing! Being a canvas hood it takes up far less space than something solid, it can also be closed on the move at up to 30mph. The weight penalty hardly hankers the performance either as the mechanical and structural extras only amount to 80kg. This means you still get a sub 5 second 0-60 time and a top speed of 170mph from its 4.2-litre, 380bhp V8 (with the hood up). Blocking out the wind isn’t a problem either, so if it’s too cloudy to enjoy the V8 hard at work then at least you’ll be able to experience the full acoustics of its stereo.

You’ll get the best out of this Roadster at higher revs and the gearing is now even better refined. Due to thinner gear oil, the manual gearshift is slicker and easy, although because technology often dictates a lot of buyers will probably opt for the latest sportshift transmission. This incorporates the same Graziano transaxle with sequential, the paddle shifts are mounted on the steering column and the result is much quicker shifts. This sportshift is available as an option and will cost you an additional £3K, this gets you almost seamless downshifts, it will also upshift happily enough once you’re attuned to taking your foot off the gas at exactly the right point. In automatic mode you have to be a bit more patient, obviously, but even then the drive is still pretty entertaining.

Down to business then because if you’re thinking of buying one, you’re going to want to know whether its worth laying down the £91,000 asking price on one model or whether you should buy a Jag XKR or even a Porsche 911 drop top. The latter will save you between £14-£18K for home improvements or for holidays over the next 8 years perhaps. However the luxurious feel of the Aston, the pose factor and the pure finesse of this machine is a big hook; the prices are also tipped to remain stable and demand is high.
Expect to be enlightened - the V8 Roadster is just the ticket Aston Martin needs to kick off a new era.

Verdict

FOR: Tougher than any Aston drop-top yet, sporty, glam and full of vigour
AGAINST: Threat of understeer when you hit those corners with too much haste and the steering is also a little less delicate.
CONCLUSION: You’re going to pay through the nose for the Roadster but once you’ve driven it, lived it and experienced its charm, can you really put a price on love? It’s got all the fire it promised, the refinements, the ride quality, the ambience, the nerve – who wouldn’t be curious?!

Spec

ENGINE: V8 , 4280 cc
Co2 (g/km)/tax: 358 g/km /-
POWER: 380bhp @ 7000rpm
TORQUE (lb/ft): 302lb ft @ 5000rpm
0-60mph (sec): 4.9
TOP SPEED: 175mph
MPG: /-/-16.2 (urban/extra-urban/combined)
TRANSMISSION: Manual 6 speed (option of paddleshift)
BRAKES: Radial-mounted four-piston monobloc calipers
WHEELS: Front: 8.5J x 18 inch / Rear: 9.5J x 18 inch
TYRES: Bridgestone Potenza tyres - Front: 235/45 ZR18. Rear: 275/40 ZR18
WEIGHT: 1710kg
PRICE: £91,000
RIVALS: Ferrari F430 Spyder, Lamborghini Gallardo Convertible