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Devil`s Own

Call me sadistic but if I was to buy a super car, I’d want my passengers to come out a whiter shade of pale, eyes dilated and knees knocking, so does the new Aston Martin V8 Vantage N400 qualify?

When you press the starter button on an Aston, three little words appear on the dash; ‘beauty, power and soul’ but it seems that the standard V8 Vantage had sold it’s to the devil. Sure it is second to none in the looks department, it sounds menacing and technically it drives exceptionally well but it remains very restrained as you move up through the gears – all that anticipation and revving and then just more of the same. Even with its 4.3-litre engine howling and spitting to the tune of 380bhp, it still appears a bit mamsy pamsy when put side by side a Mercedes SL55 or a BMW M6. Aston’s antidote then was to unleash a special edition N400.

Available in its very own bright orange shade (as well as Bergwerk Black or Lightening Silver), Aston has every intention of appealing to a playful, if not gregarious audience. The N stands for Nurburgring of which it recently broke the eight minute lap time around the 14 mile circuit and the 400, its new bhp figure which is up by 20. There is also 12 more lb ft of torque as well as a sports pack to enhance the handling; this includes upgraded springs, shocks, a new anti-roll bar and lightweight graphite-finished aluminium wheels. A careful eye will note the superficial changes too; they favour the bonnet, grille, side sills and rear lamps which are now clear. It’s quite a package but at £11,000 extra the total comes to £97,000 and that’s quite a price!
So are we getting a solid walnut dash and gold-plated surrounds for the gear-stick and the door cards? Nope, not as standard anyway. In fact you may still even spy the odd instrument from a Volvo but nobody would hold it against you because on the whole the interior is rather luxurious with its rich materials, jewel-inspired dials and of course the gas-sprung doors which you climb in via. You also get perforated black leather seats, micro-spin alloy facia trim and a unique numbered sill plaque as well as some of the optional equipment of the V8 Vantage, for free. This includes Satellite Navigation, 700W Aston Martin Premium Audio System, Bluetooth telephone preparation, HID headlamps, cruise control and memory/heated seats.

There are two types of transmission offered in the N400 model, the manual which is actually very accomplished now it’s been revised and the more expensive sportshift gearbox which may still be a bit sticky in comparison. The steering wheel on the other hand indulges you in some very slick operations, it’s direct, instant and does it with plenty of feeling. Strangely the sportier machine is actually better at handling bumps in the road too; this is probably down to the lighter wheels which caress the ground instead of crashing down on it.
The boot size is still fairly practical for longer journeys as well but don’t go getting carried away as it will need servicing every 10,000 miles and every mile will effectively cost you 8p. You won’t be bleeding money on depreciation costs though as the N400 will be on many people’s wish lists. You’ll tend to get respect as you pull out of side roads too as Aston has enjoyed a long history as an English gentleman’s car. Okay, so the Yanks are pulling the financial strings now but the brand hasn’t lost any of its kudos.

What it has gained though is a touch of Miami’s trendy ‘work is for wimps’ philosophy with its drop-top roadster version. Like you’ll be going to the office on a sunny day if you’ve got one of these parked in your drive! And with only 240 made it won’t just be the tanned crown of your head that attracts attention in Waitrose car park.

Verdict

FOR: Aside from its blinding looks, the handling is more sensitised to go with the more exhilarating boost of power and the ride much more refined over bumps.
AGAINST: Way too pricey.
CONCLUSION: Rivals will give you more punch for your money but they’re not as exotic looking and neither are they as rare.

Spec

ENGINE: 4.3-litre V8
Co2 (g/km)/tax: 360
POWER: 400bhp @ 7,500rpm
TORQUE (lb/ft): 314 lb ft at 5000 rpm
0-62mph (sec): 4.9
TOP SPEED: 177
MPG: /-/-/18.8 (urban/extra-urban/combined)
TRANSMISSION: Six speed manual or sportshift
WEIGHT: 1630kg
PRICE: £97,000
RIVALS: BMW M6, Mercedes SL 55, Porsche 911 Careera 4S, Audi R8, Jaguar XKR