The 2006
Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster is the drop top version of the stunning V8 Vantage sports car that has been in production since 2003. Every effort was made to preserve the beautiful lines of the Vantage coupe with the top both up and down, and the results speak for themselves. The Roadster manages to look every bit as elegant as the coupe model it is based on, with the added advantage of being able to put the top down whenever the driver feels like it.
While many convertibles suffer from a slight weight gain when compared to the chassis they are originally based on,
Aston Martin claims that very little was added to the coupe’s 3600 pound mass. This was possible through further application of the race-derived ‘VH’ design philosophy upon which all current
Aston Martin cars are based. The Vantage Roadster also benefits from being the smallest vehicle currently sold by the company, making it a prime target for having the roof chopped off. The vehicle has an all-aluminum chassis covered by a magnesium alloy and carbon-fiber skin.
Aston Martin claims that the low seating position in the convertible helps drivers connect with the low center of gravity of the vehicle, in addition to keeping them more protected in the event of a roll over.
The engine in the Roadster produces 380 horsepower and 302 lb-feet of torque, revving all the way up to a screaming 7000 rpm. Power is shunted to the rear wheels through a 6-speed manual transmission or an optional paddle-shifted automatic. Presumably employing more a more aggressive rear axle gear, the convertible manages to equal the performance numbers of its coupe sibling, hitting 60 miles per hour from a standstill in 4.9 seconds. Top speed of the vehicle is 175 miles per hour.
The interior of the 2006
Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster can only be described as the lap of luxury. Standard leather seating and accents are complimented by graphite highlights. Automatic temperature control and a heated rear window help keep things warm when the mercury drops, and a parking system employs rear sensors to let the driver know when they are getting too close to an obstacle behind them. The options list is quite long, and includes such details as three different colors for the brake calipers, heated seats (an excellent option for any convertible), Bluetooth integration and different types of finish for the front grille, including bright chrome and piano black. There are also two different types of 19-inch allow wheels to choose from, an optional satellite navigation system, Xenon headlights and even personalized sill plaques to let everyone know exactly whose 2006
Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster they are stepping into.
Priced at only $120 000, the V8 Vantage Roadster is expensive, but it is not out of this world expensive, particularly given the cachet behind the
Aston Martin name. It is clear that the company is attempting to target buyers who might be shopping for a
BMW M6 or Mercedes SL. In this price range, it is entirely possible that even a
Jaguar XKR convertible shopper might instead choose to upgrade to this hand built car. While the
Aston Martin is indeed a powerful and fun car to drive, like most of its competitors it is handicapped by its weight, and the 4.3 liter V8 does not have a lot of low-end grunt to get the vehicle moving from a standstill. It is far more comfortable on the highway than it is along narrow switchbacks.
Of course, given the demographic for
Aston Martin owners, it is unlikely that too many of them will be pushing the car too hard on country back roads. Instead, the 2006
Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster will be enjoyed as one of the best premium convertibles on the market.
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June 8, 2008, 9:10 am
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