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2021 Aston Martin Vantage Review – Wind-Smacking V8 Power

Aston Martin finally adds a highly anticipated drop-top model to the Vantage lineup for the 2021 model year. The company also now offers the coupe with a manual transmission, which was previously reserved for the track-focused, limited-edition AMR model. Unfortunately, the new roadster isn’t available with the manual. Let’s review the 2021 Aston Martin Vantage with Bigguidess!

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

2021 Aston Martin Vantage Review - Wind-Smacking V8 Power

The exterior theatrics continue inside with upscale materials and countless custom options. It’s easy to spend money on the Vantage: Aston Martin offers fancy options such as a full-leather interior, heated and ventilated seats, a carbon-fiber steering wheel, embroidered headrests, and several different options for interior trim, among many other features. The cockpit is snug for two, but it’s lined with leather and faux suede. Likewise, sport seats with power adjustments and memory settings are standard. Still, its luxury experience is diminished by poor noise isolation on the highway. Interior cubby storage is also scarce except for a shallow center-console bin and door pockets. The convertible’s power-operated fabric roof folds up and down quickly and features a Z shape that Aston says helps save trunk space. While the Vantage Roadster has a slightly smaller trunk than the coupe, we’re told that it’s still able to fit a full-sized golf bag.

Exterior 2021 Aston Martin Vantage

2021 Aston Martin Vantage Review - Wind-Smacking V8 Power

The top of the 2021 Aston Martin Vantage car is taken close up. The new-generation Aston Martin Vantage is influenced by the Aston Martin DB11 model of the company, with simple design lines but still exuding a strong and seductive beauty characteristic of the British car brand. Aston Martin Vantage 2018 has a revolutionary design with a large grille, similar to many Aston Martin race cars.

The new design gives the Vantage 2021 a minimalistic form of air resistance, helping the car to run better. The front air system directs the air flow to the bottom of the vehicle. Meanwhile, the undercarriage has a special design of wind channels that continues to push to the rear diffuser. Along the bodywork is a prominent muscular tendon extending from the air intakes in the front wheel arches that pull through the doors and toward the rear.

Infotainment and Connectivity

8.0-inch display sprouts from the top of its dashboard and is primarily controlled via a rotary knob and buttons on the center console. The Vantage’s infotainment system also includes an Aston Martin audio system, Bluetooth compatibility, and built-in navigation. While an upgraded audio system and touchpad are optional, popular features such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration are absent.

Engine, Performance, And Driving Dynamics

2021 Aston Martin Vantage Review - Wind-Smacking V8 Power
2021 Aston Martin Vantage Review – Wind-Smacking V8 Power

 

Under the hood lies the same Mercedes-AMG-sourced 4.0 twin-turbo V8 with 503 horsepower and 505 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. For now, there is no manual gearbox option, which is now a new 2021 model year option for the Coupe only.

Aston Martin claims a 0-60 mph time of 3.7 seconds and a blistering top speed of 198 mph.

Those concerned the Roadster will lose some of the Coupe’s driving dynamics shouldn’t be. The automaker has given the Roadster the same Adaptive Damping, Dynamic Stability Control, Dynamic Torque Vectoring, and Electronic Rear Differential found in the Coupe. However, the Roadster has been given a unique tune for the rear dampers, ESP calibration, and Adaptive Damping System software. Something had to be done to help counteract the slight weight gain and other minor structural changes.

Infotainment of 2021 Aston Martin Vantage

Every now and then, it might be a good choice to slow things down, unwind, and listen to some cool music while enjoying the gliding ride back home. To that avail, the 2021 Aston Martin Vantage provides a fairly decent infotainment system, at the heart of which lies an 8.0-inch floating display, on top of the dash. Although it does not touch compatible which is strange for a 2021 model car and can only be controlled via a rotary controller or buttons on the center console.

The music system is great for a sports tourer but still misses the mark slightly. But that can be fixed by picking up the Aston Martin Premium Audio Setup which packs enough oomph that you would need. Some of the most eminent features of the 2021 Aston Martin Vantage’s infotainment setup are:

  • Aston Martin Audio System
  • 8-inch LCD Screen
  • iPod and iPhone integration
  • USB Playback
  • AM/FM radio
  • Bluetooth
  • Satellite Navigation System