2019 Aston Martin Vantage Review

New Looks, New Tech, And New Opportunities

The new Vantage took the Aston Martin company into the arena of the latest tech and in the league of cars built for the track. Considered to be synonymous to James Bond (Forget the martini, shaken not stirred) and class, the Aston Martin Vantage is the real deal.

Based on top of the DB11 chassis, Aston Martin officials report that 70% of the chassis on the new V8 Vantage is all new. Unlike the plusher and longer (by almost a foot) DB11, the 2019 V8 Aston Martin Vantage sports a solid-mounted rear axle. No bushings or any damping rubbery hardware here.

Sure, there are some who won’t forgive the harshness of the ride. At least not before they take the Aston Martin Vantage to the track and select the third driving mode - the Track. Stiffening the suspension, ramping up the throttle response and sharpening the e-diff response, the latest Aston Martin V8 Vantage will undoubtedly provide thrilling performance, perfect for extreme track shenanigans.

The E-diff?

Anybody who is an avid Aston Martin fan knows that previous iterations of the Vantage were made with a mechanically limited-slip diff. However, this iteration is faster, more refined, and electronically controlled. Aston Martin stresses this will dramatically improve track behavior. Going from fully open to 100 percent locked in a matter of milliseconds should give it better straight-line stability, more refined cornering and, as a consequence, better lap times - anywhere.

Stunning outside the Track as well

For a more subtle driving style, drivers can additionally choose between the Sport and Sport Plus driving modes. For the street and twisties, of course.

E-diff can be used to its full potential thanks to a proper powerhouse residing under the bonnet. Moved as much to the back and as low as possible, the AMG V8, already well-known from the AMG GT and other AMG iterations, provides 503hp and 505 lb-ft of torque. Generally speaking, the new Aston Martin Vantage has definitely hit a jackpot with this powerhouse. Gifting all the grunt to the bespoke Pirelli P Zeros at the back, the V8 can accelerate the 3,373 lbs. car to 62 mph in 3.6 seconds and up to 195 mph. All of this channeled via an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission.

Was the Aston Martin Vantage Already Seen Elsewhere?

As capable as it is, the latest Aston Martin Vantage simply had to have the looks of a winner. Before the wide release of the Vantage, Aston Martin designer, Marek Reichman knew what the new Vantage would look like prior to 2014. The design of the DB10, which appeared in the James Bond movie Spectre, was inspired by the sketches of the Vantage. Looking astoundingly similar to the DB10 Bond drove, the Vantage is a thrill to look at and to dream about.

Small, yet aggressive front lights, barely an imprint of the previous Vantage. The grille is bigger and meaner than ever. The design of the Vantage is so well executed it works well in classic colors like gray and gaudy colors like lime green. The rear is unlike anything we saw before on previous-gen Aston Martins. A thin line of rear lights excitingly flows from one side to another. While no Aston Martin ever took this approach, one car did, the Fisker EMotion! The rear end of both cars looks astoundingly similar. Is it a knockoff? Is it a mistake? Was this settled in court? We may never know. What we do know is that the new 2019 Aston Martin V8 Vantage looks stunning. Front to back.