It may not be as stylish as the Bond-approved DB or as outlandish as the $3m Valkyrie, but the Aston Martin Vantage has earned its place as the British marque’s best-selling model nonetheless.
The biggest reason for this is that the Vantage offers customers a five-star supercar for under $150k — a package that thankfully hasn’t changed with the all-new 2018 model.
Revealed this week and starting at $149,995, the 2018 blends luxury and good looks into a high-performance package boasting 503 ponies care of a twin-turbo V8 mated to an eight-speed transmission. Deliveries are set to commence in Q2 2018.
With a 0-60 time of 3.5 seconds and a top speed of 195 MPH, the new Vantage is the first Aston Martin to use an electronic rear differential (E-Diff) that links with the car’s electronic stability control system to give the driver superior handling both on straightaways and while cornering.
Aston Martin outfitted the interior with a digital dashboard, handsome infotainment interface and enough wood, knurl metal and brogue leather to keep things classy. On the outside, the Vantage’s unmistakable curves lend it a silhouette that Aston Martin defines thusly:
“Like the archetypal hunter, everything has been finely tuned for a purpose. Sculptural forms create an athletic predatory stance, while muscular flanks and broad haunches express the agility and dynamism inherent to the car.” Basically, this car is made to devour the competition.
“It speaks volumes for the outgoing Vantage that it is the single most successful model in Aston Martin’s history,” says Aston Martin CEO Dr. Andy Palmer. “Creating a worthy successor has been a challenge to relish and a huge source of motivation. A true sports car with a sharper look and a keener dynamic edge, the new Vantage is the Aston Martin pure driving machine enthusiasts have been waiting for.”
And even if you’re not in the market for a 500-horsepower roadster, there are certainly worse ways to spend a lunch break than by customizing a 2018 Vantage using Aston Martin’s new configuration tool.
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