The Aston Martin Vantage is a name that stretches back over 70 years and nine generations. The 2021 Aston Martin Vantage has been around in its current form since 2018, and we think it's the best one yet. This two-seater sports coupe is powered by a muscle-bound 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine borrowed from Mercedes-AMG, which delivers 503 horsepower and 505 lb-ft of torque in base configuration. With a tight chassis, impressive throttle response, and looks to kill, it's no wonder why competitors like the Porsche 911 and Mercedes-AMG GT look rather ordinary when parked alongside this British bombshell. These are a few niggles, such as an outdated infotainment system and a small trunk, but these are quickly forgotten once you get behind the wheel of 2021 Vantage Coupe.
For 2021, Aston Martin celebrates its renewed investment in Formula 1 and its partnership with the racing series as the official safety car by releasing a special F1 Edition variant of the Vantage. Identified by carbon fiber exterior detailing, 21-inch Satin Black Diamond Turned alloy wheels, and additional aerodynamics in the form of a fixed rear wing and front splitter, this model also gets an increase of 24 horsepower.
See trim levels and configurations:
Trim | Engine | Transmission | Drivetrain | Price (MSRP) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Coupe |
4.0L Twin-Turbo V8 Gas
|
7-Speed Manual
8-Speed Automatic
|
Rear-Wheel Drive
|
$139,000 |
F1 Edition Coupe |
4.0L Twin-Turbo V8 Gas
|
8-Speed Automatic
|
Rear-Wheel Drive
|
$181,000 |
Under the hood of the Vantage 2-door Coupe rests a Mercedes-AMG-sourced 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 gas engine producing 503 hp and up to 505 lb-ft of torque in the base car on premium fuel, with the AMR variant producing 461 lb-ft. The limited F1 edition boosts power to 527 hp while torque remains unchanged at 505 lb-ft. The 4.0-liter AMG motor is a tried and tested powerplant that delivers a massive punch from anywhere in the rev range. We appreciate its sharp throttle response and overall linear power delivery. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a 7-speed manual or 8-speed automatic transmission. In our 2021 Aston Martin Vantage Coupe review, we found that this car ain't no slowpoke: the base model is the quickest of the lot and will do the 0-60 mph sprint in only 3.5 seconds. The top speed is pegged at 195 mph. The automatic transmission is agile enough but can feel laggy on downshifts. We'd recommend the excellent Graziano dog-leg seven-speed manual transmission, which features flat-foot upshifts, launch control, and rev-matched downshifts.
NHTSA safety ratings are not available at this time.
The Aston Martin Vantage is one of those cars that doesn't need a lot of convincing to like. Just one look and most car fans will be hooked, and that's before we even start talking about how this coupe feels to drive. The 2021 Aston Martin Vantage Coupe delivers stunning performance behind the wheel, and we applaud Aston for managing to deliver a chassis worthy of the AMG V8 under the hood (which also guarantees reliability). The rear-wheel drivetrain is excellent, especially if you go with the manual gearbox, and eager drivers will be rewarded with a ton of response, feedback, and fun. Although Aston should spend some time updating its infotainment system, but the rest of the interior is beautifully appointed. Oh, and forget about trunk space. The 2021 Aston Martin Coupe's price is up there, but at this price point, most buyers won't be dissuaded. Overall, this is a charming and competent sports car with looks to kill and a soundtrack that thrills.
Now that all 200 AMR versions have been sold out in the US, new buyers will have to choose between the base car and the F1 Safety Car lookalike with an additional 24 horses under the hood and a sweet British Racing Green paint job. We'd recommend going with the entry-level model, as it covers all the bases and leaves plenty of room for customers to customize colors, interior trim, and spec level. Any and all driver assistance options should also be added to increase the car's safety rating.
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