2022 Aston Martin Vantage Roadster

As a general rule, roadsters aren't as much fun as the coupes they're based on. The roof of a car is a vital structural element, and removing it harms rigidity; why would you want to do it to a vehicle designed to provide a thrilling driving experience? When it comes to the Aston Martin Vantage roadster, however, there is some historical context worth exploring. The 2006 Vantage was everything an Aston Martin should be, except fast. It hit all the marks, but it lacked the punch needed to go up against the beloved Porsche 911. But removing the roof actually improved the 2006 Vantage. If you've been fortunate enough to drive one of the original cars, you'll know that it makes a glorious racket that can literally be heard from two to three miles away. This added some much-needed pantomime to a package lacking the X-Factor. Sure, a Porsche 911 Cabriolet was faster. But V8 Vantage owners didn't care, mainly because they couldn't hear the negative remarks over the V8 racket.

Fast-forward 15 years and an all-new Vantage Roadster is upon us. The new Vantage is a different kind of animal. It's equipped with a 503-horsepower twin-turbo V8 powerful enough to get it to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds. It doesn't need the drop-top charade to justify its existence, yet here we are.

We weren't entirely sold when the Vantage made its debut a few years ago. Perhaps it was the launch color, but the design was distressing initially. Aston Martins are usually universally revered for their exterior styling, but here was a car that you'd have to spend time with to appreciate. We think it works even better as a roadster. Look at the front three-quarter view. Notice how the metal is almost stretched over the rear wheels to form voluptuous hips. The fabric roof of the Aston Martin Vantage convertible has had no impact on the allure of the side profile or rear, and the ducktail rear bodywork, twin tailpipes, and prominent rear diffuser still look razor-sharp. The F1 Edition dials the aggression all the way up to 11. It comes standard with 21-inch wheels with sticky Pirelli tires. The most notable additions are the slatted front grille and the aero kit, including a fixed rear wing. It also gets quad exhausts and, underneath the car, revised aero to hemp improve downforce by more than 400 lbs.

The new Vantage Roadster is a petite car. Its total length is rated at 175.8 inches, while the width without the mirrors is an impressive 76.5 inches. Couple that with a 106.5-inch wheelbase, and the result is a long, wide track that's perfect for performance motoring. The low-slung appearance is not a visual illusion, as the compact convertible is only 50.1 inches tall. Aston Martin claims a curb weight of 3,847 pounds.

Aston's F1 Edition Roadster has a minimum dry mass of 3,627 lbs, compared to the 3,589-lb dry mass figure of the normal model. It also gets slightly altered dimensions with a full inch of extra length courtesy of the revised aero, front and rear.

Aston found itself in some financial trouble a few years ago. Its old V8 and V12 engines were no longer viable due to emissions legislation, and there was no money left to design two new powertrains. Thankfully, Aston Martin teamed up with Mercedes-AMG, also a maker of robust and bewitching V8 engines. Unlike its predecessor, the Roadster doesn't have a problem with power. The Mercedes-AMG sourced twin-turbocharged V8 is a delight, producing 503 hp and 505 lb-ft of torque. Specs like these are enough for a 0-60 mph time of 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 190 mph. This particular V8 is one of the most adaptable powertrains in existence, and there's still a lot Aston can do with it. Some Mercedes-AMG products that use the same engine boast 600 hp+, and we can't wait to see what Aston does with the inevitable upcoming go-faster models.

The Roadster has a transaxle layout, which means the eight-speed ZF-sourced automatic transmission is located at the rear for better weight distribution. There are various driving modes, and the gearbox responds accordingly.

The F1 Edition adds 24 hp (527 hp total), but the torque output remains the same. Aston claims the torque peak is available for longer, making it perfect for track use where you're more likely to cling to whatever gear through a corner. This should also make the F1 Edition easier and more predictable on the limit. The increase in power reduces the 0-60 mph sprint to 3.6 seconds, while the top speed stays the same.

Strangely, Aston Martin chose not to include the manual transmission as an option for the roadster, though we see it as a sign that the open-top vehicle is not as hardcore as the coupe. If you want the ultimate hardcore hands-on experience, a fixed roof is an obvious solution.

Still, Aston Martin fettled various components to compensate for the inherent differences between the coupe and the roadster. Along with the obvious structural reinforcements, it tuned the adaptive damping and ESP to counteract the weight gain.

You'd have to be a seriously talented driver to notice the difference between the two, however. In addition to adaptive damping, the roadster also boasts the same dynamic torque vectoring, dynamic stability control, and electronic rear differential found in the coupe. Thanks to the features mentioned above, the rear-wheel-drive roadster can easily switch between Jekyll and Hyde.

For the full Mr. Hyde effect, the RWD F1 Edition is the answer. This model benefits from increased structural stiffness, reworked damping, and an increased spring rate. The result is more feedback through the steering wheel and even more grip. This model's aero kit adds more downforce to the rear of the car, while the larger 21-inch wheels provide larger contact patches. The full effect of all these elements can't be felt on the road, but within the safe confines of a track, it will be easier to explore the limits.

The EPA figures for the Vantage Roadster aren't available yet, but they should be similar to the coupe's estimated consumption. The Vantage is a surprisingly efficient vehicle with EPA estimates of 18/24/20 mpg city/highway/combined. These figures are primarily down to the relatively low weight and high power output. The Vantage only needs a smidgen of its power to keep up with traffic in the city or highway. When you drive it like you stole it, don't expect the figures mentioned above. Thanks to a sizeable 19.2-gallon tank, the Aston should do 384 miles between refills.

The Vantage compact convertible is a strict two-seater and all the better for it. Catering to two front passengers is so much easier. It may be tiny, but the interior is large enough to accommodate six-foot passengers. The shoulder room is a bit tight, but you can get two chunky people in there. The standard leather power-adjustable seats are fine, but 16-way power-adjustable heated and ventilated seats are available. The only difficulty is the height. This roadster sits low to the ground, and it can be extremely tricky to get in with the roof up.

The Aston isn't a long-distance cruiser but rather a short-distance point-and-shoot kind of car. If you do want to take it away for the weekend, some tactical packing will be required. Aston's folding roof is one of the better options out there; it uses a Z-fold mechanism located behind the seats and can fold down in 6.7 seconds. Thanks to the location of the folding roof mechanism, the roadster boasts the same cargo capacity as the coupe, getting rid of the rear seats instead of the trunk. Nearly seven cubic feet are just enough for two carry-ons and a few loose pieces of luggage. On the inside, the roadster has two cupholders, large door pockets, and a spot for a smartphone. Optional four- or seven-pieve luggage sets are available to make the most of the cargo area.

For such a pricey piece of automotive art, the Vantage is disappointingly low on standard features. On the outside, it has LED lights and a brisk fold-down roof. Comfort-wise, it comes with dual-zone climate control, keyless ignition, a digital instrument cluster, and power-adjustable leather/suede seats with a memory function. A host of additional comfort features available on the options list. We're willing to look past the lack of features because Aston Martin is currently a low-volume manufacturer. But when that sweet DBX money starts rolling in, some of it better be spent on improving the Vantage's interior.

This is where the Mercedes-AMG partnership seriously bites Aston in the backside. It has an eight-inch display on top of the dashboard. The graphics are attractive, and it responds well, but that's about it. It's not touch-sensitive, which means you have to operate it via a rotary dial or an optional touchpad. Sound familiar? That's because it's essentially a basic version of Merc's old COMAND interface. It comes standard with navigation, Bluetooth connectivity, two USB ports, and a six-speaker sound system. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are not available.

We have to wonder whether Aston has access to Merc's more modern systems like MBUX or even the updated COMAND system with smartphone integration? After all, the AMG GT Roadster has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto...

At the time of writing, no recalls had yet affected the 2021-2022 Aston Martin Vantage Roadster. As for the coupe, it was recalled once in 2020 for front-seat airbag fasteners that may be loose.

Every Vantage comes with a three-year/unlimited mileage warranty that includes coverage for the powertrain.

Neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS has had the opportunity to review the Vantage Roadster; the coupe has no review either - it's unlikely there will ever be a rating given for either. Usually, we could look at Euro NCAP scores for an indication, even though the European tests aren't as stringent as those performed in the USA. Unfortunately, safety tests have not been conducted over the pond either.

For a modern sports car, the Vantage doesn't have many advanced safety features. It does, however, come with auto parking, blind-spot detection, a 360-degree camera system, tire pressure monitoring, and dual front and side airbags.

This is a tricky question to answer. Going on all of the facts presented so far, the answer is no. Several other roadsters are more affordable, better equipped, and better to drive. Off the top of our head, we can think of the Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster and Jaguar F-Type SVR Convertible, not to mention the colossus that is the Porsche 911. Heck, with the used supercar market bottoming out, you could easily get a low-mileage McLaren 570S drop-top for similar money.

Is the 2022 Vantage Roadster likely to be a logical purchase? Will a prospective customer use a spreadsheet to compare the various models mentioned above? The answer is no, and that's what makes this question so tricky to answer. You see, an Aston Martin isn't just any car. It's Bond's car. An Aston comes standard with that feel-good X-Factor that can't be quantified by using facts and figures.

We think you buy an Aston Martin knowing full well that the brilliant cars above exist and that it's perhaps not as good. Does it matter? Nope. With that in mind, the F1 Edition makes complete sense. It adds another layer of pantomime to a car that's already dripping with it. If you're going to have an Aston Martin Vantage, you might as well make it the loudest, fastest, and most hardcore model available.

The Aston Martin Vantage Roadster has a base price of $150,086 MSRP in the USA, though that figure is slightly misleading. There is no such thing as a "standard" Vantage, and the price depends on numerous factors. Aston Martin's online configurator is a massive coloring book of customization options. You essentially paint as you go along, and there are no quoted prices. You simply end up with a summary and a message that urges you to visit a dealership. Whatever the cost you end up paying, add a destination charge of $3,086.

As for the F1 Edition, expect to pay $173,086 for the privilege of driving off in this more powerful drop-top.

The selection here is rather limited. You can either have the standard roadster, or the more hardcore F1 Edition. If this were a test of the coupe, we'd have the F1 Edition in a heartbeat. It looks better, and the upgrades will undoubtedly make it a more pleasing thing to drive hard.

But the Roadster has a different set of targets. It's all about the wind in the hair, and the V8 growl doing its absolute best to decimate every eardrum within 500 yards. Ride and handling take a backseat, with pantomime firmly in the driver's seat. With that in mind, we'd save the additional $23,000 or so and spend it on optional extras.

The Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster makes life extremely hard for Aston Martin. It uses the same twin-turbo V8 engine but with more power. Depending on the trim you choose, you can get up to 550 hp. And to make matters worse, the AMG GT is cheaper as well. If you choose the base model, which matches the Vantage's performance figures, you have around $20,000 left over to play with on the options list.

The Mercedes also has a better interior, and while it may also not have the latest infotainment interface, you at least get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Merc also includes adaptive cruise control, attention assist, and Airscarf. As a driving experience, the GT Roadster feels unique. It has the same sort of angry, heavy feel as the Aston Martin, but it feels different because of that long bonnet and the seats being close to the rear wheels.

It may lack the Aston's finesse and brand cachet, but if we're to look at these two objectively for comparison, the AMG wins.

Porsche's 911 is a perennial thorn in the side of every other sports car maker in the automotive industry. It dominates convincingly, and it's not that hard to see why. A Carrera S Cabriolet has a starting price of $129,900. Add the Sport Chrono Package and PDK transmission, and it's just as fast as the Vantage, despite a power deficit of 60 hp. The 911 Turbo Cabriolet's starting price of $187,100 isn't cheap, but that's more of a rocket with wheels than a car. It gets to 60 mph in 2.8 seconds. Regardless of which you opt for, the Porsche is a far more perfect machine. It's more practical, more comfortable, has more available options, and is even a more deft driver's tool. The only thing it seems to lack is the sense of occasion the Aston never leaves home without.

The 911, in any format, is essentially as complete as sports cars get. You can get it with a manual gearbox, and it has a modern interior with all of the interior trimmings you'd expect.

It's a spectacular car and, objectively, is hands-down the winner.