THE OPEN ROAD (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Jonathan Crouch

In this faster, more focused form, Aston Martin's Vantage Roadster could be the drop-top super sportscar you've always promised yourself. Jonathan Crouch talks a look.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 34

Aston Martin's revitalised Vantage Roadster is fast in every way that matters. On the road. And in terms of its roof mechanism. No other convertible in the world opens you to the elements quicker.

Backgroundword count: 101

We're in a new, more confident, better-funded era of Aston Martin models. One in which rival brands from Germany and Italy really need to worry about this Gaydon company's products. Further proof of that comes with this car, the Vantage Roadster. It's based of course on the revitalised version of the post-2018-era Vantage Coupe that Aston launched in early 2024 and was developed alongside it. This Roadster model doesn't bear the brand's hallowed 'Volante' convertible nameplate (that's reserved for the drop top DB12 and Vanquish models). But it is in every way a classic Aston Martin. Let's take a closer look.

Driving Experienceword count: 342

Open-top Vantage models have previously competed with cars like convertible versions of the Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS and the Ferrari Roma. But this latest car's reworked twin turbocharged 4.0-litre AMG-sourced V8 lifts it beyond that and on towards junior supercar territory. It's 656bhp output is a big step up from the 505bhp of the original post-2018-era Vantage Roadster. And is not far shy of the 690bhp of the old V12 Vantage S Roadster, which is the most powerful open top Vantage Aston has produced to date. This modern model is just as fast as that old V12, making 62mph in 3.6s (just 0.1s slower than the Coupe version) en route to 202mph. Toupees will need to be very firmly tied down. The engineering is of course the same as the Coupe, but this Roadster model carries an extra 60kgs of weight (courtesy of its roof mechanism). And instead of the Coupe's perfect 50:50 weight balance, here that's fractionally different - at 49:51 (front:rear). Aston says this car's powerplant is very much a bespoke Vantage engine, improved from the earlier model with larger turbos, higher boost pressures, reprofiled camshafts and an optimised compression ratio. Drive is still sent to the rear wheels via an 8-speed auto transmission mounted on the rear axle alongside an electronically-controlled limited slip differential. That gearbox has been toughened up, recalibrated and gives a shorter final drive for greater in-gear punch. There are lots of changes beyond the engine too. The springs have been recalibrated and the dampers tweaked too, now working with a more sophisticated integrated vehicle dynamics system. As before, there's an adaptive damping system which incorporates Skyhook technology and offers the choice of Sport, Sport Plus and Track modes. Aston claims a 30% increase in stiffness across the rear axle. And reckons that an improvement in steering feel is the first thing drivers will notice about this improved model, achieved thanks to a new non-isolated steering column. The car was developed on UK roads and uses grippy Michelin Pilot Sport 5S tyres bespoke-developed for it.

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