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Pros: Stunning looks, gorgeous cabin, engaging drive
Cons: Not very practical, pricey
Aston Martin Vantage Roadster Design
The Vantage Roadster exudes desirability, adding an extra touch of glamour to the Vantage coupe’s assertive design and stance. The convertible maintains a motorsport-inspired aesthetic, characterised by its large alloy wheels and brakes, low-slung bodywork and visibly purposeful aerodynamic elements. Yet it remains unmistakably an Aston Martin, distinguished by hallmark design features such as the prominent front grille, distinctive LED lights front and rear, the subtle upward sweep of the doors and the elegantly contoured rear deck with its distinctive flick at the trailing edge.
It looks great with the roof up or down, which can be activated either via the key fob when outside the vehicle or through a new button located on the centre console. It takes only 6.8 seconds either way, and it is also operable at speeds of up to 50km/h.
Customers may select from black, red, blue, or a special black and silver roof, with these options complementing a palette of 21 standard exterior paint finishes. This is before exploring the near-limitless bespoke possibilities afforded by the "Q by Aston Martin" personalisation programme.
Aston Martin Vantage Roadster Interior
From the moment you open the door, the cabin of the Vantage Roadster exudes a sense of occasion. The aroma of real leather is immediate and unmistakable, and the material is as pleasing to the touch as it is to the eye. Throughout the interior, a variety of high-quality finishes and solid construction underline the car’s premium positioning. As with the exterior, the scope for personalisation is extensive.
In terms of layout, the cabin blends contemporary digital technology with traditional tactile controls. A digital instrument display sits ahead of the driver, while a central touchscreen manages infotainment functions. Importantly, Aston Martin has retained physical buttons and switches for key systems such as the climate control and audio, ensuring ease of use and a satisfying user experience. The switchgear in particular feels exceptionally robust and well-engineered.
Practicality is, predictably, not a priority here, though the Roadster does get a 200-litre boot - sufficient for a weekend away at least, if notably down on what you’d get into the Vantage coupe. Storage within the cabin is limited, however.
Aston Martin Vantage Roadster Performance & Drive
Despite the ‘softer’ image associated with most convertibles, at the Vantage Roadster’s core lies a driving experience engineered to be indistinguishable from that of the fixed-roof coupe. This is no small achievement, given the structural compromises typically introduced by removing a roof, which can affect chassis rigidity, suspension behaviour and overall responsiveness.
To counter this, the Roadster’s underpinnings were reinforced, yet the additional weight was impressively contained to just 60kg. As a result, performance figures remain closely aligned with those of the coupe, with only a negligible difference in acceleration. In reality, the discrepancy is imperceptible, thanks to the formidable engine at the heart of the car.
It's a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 supplied by Mercedes-AMG and further refined by Aston Martin and it delivers an immense 665hp and 800Nm of torque. All of this is channelled to the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission that shifts gears with real drama. The quoted 0-100km/h time of 3.6 seconds is fast, but it arguably undersells the car’s performance, with traction being a limiting factor off the line. On the move it feels not far off supercar pace, though the noise emanating from the quad exhausts unhindered to your ears is what makes it particularly special.
True to its rear-wheel-drive layout, the Vantage Roadster retains a level of involvement and edge that will reward keen drivers. Yet it also offers some versatility, thanks to a broad range of drive modes and settings that allow it to adapt to both the conditions and driver preferences.
Aston Martin Vantage Roadster Pricing
There’s no official price for the Vantage Roadster in Ireland as there’s no Aston Martin dealership south of the border. We’d estimate a minimum imported cost in the region of €450,000, but few Aston Martin buyers opt for a bog-standard car without options, so any you see registered on Irish plates are likely to have cost their owners north of half a million Euros.
Carzone Verdict
The Aston Martin Vantage Roadster didn’t need to be brilliant in every way to impress us and its target audience. Its stunning good looks would be enough to get some to open their chequebooks. Others will be won over by the fabulous interior while keen drivers will adore how it tackles the road. Taken together, it’s an incredible package, and a truly desirable open-topped sports car that makes an occasion out of every drive.