Fast Take: 2013 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Convertible is a mixed bag of new & old

2013 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Convertible

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It is the best of British design and it is the worst of British design. The 2013 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Convertible is a mixed bag of old and new that defines a car and a brand in the process of reinventing itself both inside and out.  There are only 3,770 lbs. to tote around and it is moved about by an all-aluminum naturally aspirated 4.7-liter V8 developing 430 horsepower at 7,300 rpm and 361 pound-feet of torque at 5,000 rpm. There are two transmission choices: a rear-mounted six speed manual gearbox or a seven-speed Sportshift I single clutch automatic shifter. Most U.S. customers opt for the latter.

This car goes from a standstill to 60 in 4.7 seconds and has a top speed of 180mph. It moves like a rocket and feels substantial without being heavyset. Steering feels nimble and accurate.

2013 aston martin vantage convertible
2013 Aston Martin Vantage Convertible

On the downside, the dash controls are arranged in away that only a NASA engineer could decipher. Those buttons are placed in a console that is “been-there-done-that” by now after seeing it since 2006. Please don’t think that I am bashing the finely crafted interior – especially after exiting the Bentley Continental’s console which is festooned with buttons also.

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These are just smaller and the Bentley’s are more logically arranged. I doubt owners will care too much after being hypnotized by the yards of beautifully hand-stitched cowhide and splendidly comfortable seats. Free from the grasp of Ford, this car still has traces of a mass produced parts bin for a car costing roughly $156,000. These are small points that I am sure will be addressed in the next design cycle and take nothing away from the Aston Martin V8 Convertible’s charm.

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This is a very capable car to drive. There is one major drawback of the Aston Martin V8 Vantage Convertible: You will inevitably pull up to a stop light near your gated community and be confronted by a neighbor who spent the extra $30,000 bucks on a beautiful, fully-grown Aston Martin DB9 Volante. The baby Aston is austere without being minimal. While not the biggest, it has an appeal of its own.

Please take a look at this comparison review of the Aston Martin Vantage vs. Jaguar XK.