AGOURA HILLS, Calif. – As if driving an Aston Martin Vantage isn’t particular sufficient, this is able to be the F1 Version, which isn’t only a particular paint job and a few stickers commemorating Aston’s return to System 1 again in 2021. It’s successfully a duplicate of the System 1 security automobile, which itself isn’t only a particular paint job and a few stickers. The powertrain, chassis and aerodynamics are all upgraded to satisfy the elevated calls for of the job, upgrades that had been transferred to the automobile you see right here.
The AMG-sourced 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 will get an additional 25 horsepower for a grand whole of 535. Most torque output stays the identical at 505 pound-feet, however that peak is sustained longer. The eight-speed automated’s shift instances are decreased and its responses whereas braking are improved. As for the chassis, the underbody is strengthened, the dampers are reworked for improved vertical physique management, and the rear spring charges are elevated. The steering is altered for improved suggestions as properly, and the wheels are enlarged to 21 inches, up from the usual automobile’s 20.
Lastly, it appears to be like totally different because of the aerodynamic enhancements: full-width entrance splitter, entrance dive planes, underbody turning vanes, and simply in case you didn’t discover it, a wing. Surprisingly, the large rear diffuser really carries over unchanged. Additionally surprisingly, you may get the Vantage F1 Version as a convertible, however because it was created to tempo F1 and never the Indianapolis 500, choosing the Coupe ends in probably the most trustworthy reproduction.
Sadly, I’ve by no means pushed every other current-generation Aston Martin Vantage, so how a lot of a distinction any of the above does is a thriller to me. I believe the trip is worse given what I’ve learn concerning the Vantage’s grand-touring capabilities, however I doubt you’re actually making an attempt to determine whether or not to examine the F1 Version possibility field, so listed below are the issues that the majority stood out to me whereas driving the Aston Martin Vantage F1 Version.
1. Oh man, the noise! Half I
Phrases can’t actually do justice to how unbelievable this automobile sounds while you lay into it, and imagine me, there’s one thing about driving an Aston Martin that makes you need to lay into it. And fireplace weapons out of the headlights, however that’s a unique story. There’s the rumbling wail from the exhaust. There’s the whirring V8, which undoubtedly has a unique tone than the AMG variations of the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8, however it’s nonetheless clearly associated. The Porsche 911 sounds good, however that is higher. Hooray V8s.
2. Oh man, the noise! Half II
However, while you’re simply driving round, there is no such thing as a rumbling wail. It’s extra like a deep concussive whir round 2,000 rpm. It will get previous. Additionally, in Monitor mode, the exhaust throws in crackles and pops on the overrun, however they don’t really sound all that good. Very contrived. I want I may have interaction Monitor mode for the transmission however depart the exhaust in regular. Between this and the wing, this specific Aston Martin doesn’t precisely match into the admittedly old-school mould of “gents’s motoring” I affiliate with the model.
3. I may use a transmission setting between Sport+ and Monitor
Not like with a Porsche PDK or Mercedes-AMG transmission, the Aston’s eight-speed torque converter automated was not capable of obtain “simply depart it in auto” excellence. Sport+ wasn’t good sufficient to downshift as readily and by as many gears as was wanted. Monitor was, however it could then cling onto these gears too lengthy, particularly in case you carry off the throttle out of the blue at larger rpm. This wouldn’t be an issue when serving as a Security Automobile given the upper speeds and extra extended acceleration, which is maybe the problem – I’d be curious to attempt a typical Vantage for this space specifically.
4. Constructed for the observe, impeccable on a mountain highway
It is a front-engined, rear-wheel-drive automobile, however it’s additionally a remarkably balanced sports activities automobile that stays as planted as promised by its F1-specific upgrades. On Mulholland Freeway via the Santa Monica mountains, it flat-out hauled. Really feel via the chassis and steering is considerable; the grip prodigious. That is a straightforward automobile to drive rapidly. Rewarding, too.
5. The trip lives as much as the F1 badge
This isn’t a snug automobile. Maybe extra so than a Porsche GT3, however even its default Sport mode (there is no such thing as a Consolation) has the power to show completely acceptable pavement right into a tiresome expertise. On Mulholland Freeway, I used to be additionally solely ready to make use of Sport. It simply grew to become too bumpy and unsettled in Sport+, which rendered Monitor mode totally moot.
Then once more, that is an F1 Security Automobile reproduction. Its Monitor mode must be an honest-to-god observe mode. This could be the opposite space I might most like to match with a typical model of the automobile.
6. The steering wheel isn’t really a wheel
Admittedly, I feel this “wheel” is ugly. I initially thought it was foolish, however I’m retracting that. The design finally ends up taking over much less actual property, and in case you’re like me and shuffle steer, the bizarre chunky grips at 4 and eight mix with the standard ones at 2 and 10 to principally offer you three glorious grip factors (the default 3 and 9 being the opposite). The highest and backside are then flat.
That stated, I may dwell with out the suede wheel. Until you put on driving gloves, which I suppose you’ll be whereas driving an F1 Security Automobile, it certain appears much less grippy to me than leather-based can be.
7. Ye olde Mercedes tech interface isn’t a foul factor
Regardless of my expectation, the V8 Vantage doesn’t have the identical Mercedes-sourced infotainment system because the DBX, which is definitely (no less than) two generations behind what you’d discover in an precise Mercedes. Seemingly a reskin of the ultimate model of Mercedes COMAND, it has a not-touchscreen show managed with both a knob controller or a shiny black touchpad that arcs above it. The UI is particular to Aston Martin, and is even worse than the Mercedes model that I all the time felt was complicated and a step again from its predecessor. Fortunately, seems the Aston Martin Vantage has a model of that predecessor. So certain, it’s primarily based on a fair older Mercedes COMAND infotainment system, however the on-screen person interface and knob-only controller is easier and simpler to make use of. I may dwell with it, principally as a result of I used that model of COMAND fairly a bit and favored it.
8. The pedals are completely arrange for heel-toe downshifts …
… too unhealthy there’s a COMAND knob the place the shifter must be. That is much less a criticism concerning the Vantage F1 Version not being obtainable with a handbook transmission (particularly as that might be foolish for an F1 Security Automobile), and extra about how shut the brake and accelerator are. Not simply when it comes to lateral spacing – they’re roughly on the identical fore-aft aircraft as properly. I’ve by no means pushed a automobile with pedals like this. I’m certain engineers at different automobile corporations can be shocked by this, whereas their lawyer overlords can be placing in determined calls to administration to cease it. I assumed it was nice.
9. I feel I’m extra of a DB12 man
An Aston Martin with a wing simply appears flawed to me. So does an Aston Martin that might be uncomfortable to drive from London to the Scottish Highlands. As such, the F1 Version wouldn’t be my Aston Martin of selection. Shockingly, and maybe I ought to whisper this, I loved the DBX higher. I’m guessing I might significantly want the brand new DB12, although to be completely sincere, if I had been to purchase an Aston Martin, it could be a 2007 DBS, with a handbook, in Lightning Silver. I used to be fortunate sufficient to drive that when and it stays considered one of my all-time favorites. It was a DB9 with refined enhancements all over the place that amounted to a sharper automobile to drive with out abandoning the usual Aston DB grand-touring ethos. The F1 Version could also be a sharper Vantage, however I can’t say that ethos stays.
