There's an elite group of sports cars that deliver driving thrills and looks to kill, and the 2020 Aston Martin Vantage is one of them. With sculpted bodywork that appears both aggressive and beautiful, this entry-level (if there is such a thing) Aston Martin lives up to is lofty pedigree. The rear-drive coupe is powered by a thunderous twin-turbo V-8, but only the track-ready AMR model offers a manual transmission. Although alternatives from Porsche and Mercedes-AMG offer more approachable performance heights, the Aston provides a longer leash for sideways and smoky antics. The 2020 Vantage may not be the most sophisticated sports car available today, but it's one of the feistiest and flashiest.MSRP: From $179,995
Horsepower: 503 hp
Dimensions: 176″ L x 77″ W x 50″ H
MPG: Up to 18 city / 24 highway
Engine: 4.0 L V8
Warranty: 3 yr/unlimited mi basic, 3 yr/unlimited mi powertrainBeneath the Vantage's clamshell hood lies a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 that is supplied by Mercedes-AMG. This engine develops 503 horsepower and 505 lb-ft of torque, which is sent to the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Vantage AMR features a dog-leg seven-speed manual. (A dog-leg manual places the gears used most frequently in a double H pattern like that of a conventional six-speed manual.) Removing the automatic transmission creates a purer experience from the powertrain, but also has an added performance benefit of removing 209 pounds of weight. The Vantage's V-8 sounds beautiful, too, starting with a low baritone rumble at idle and finishing with a high-strung shriek as it nears its redline. An electronically controlled limited-slip differential and adaptive dampers are standard. The Vantage is tail-happy but predictable, which makes it hilariously good fun on a race track; the suspension is compliant enough for daily-driver duty, although harsh bumps will be obvious to passengers no matter which drive mode is selected for the adaptive dampers. Unfortunately, the optional carbon-ceramic brakes are less amicable during daily driving. While they're excellent when enlisted for track duty, the upgraded brakes are too grabby for everyday use. |
