2011 Aston Martin Vantage Roadster Review
Price
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Installment
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2011 Aston Martin Vantage Roadster at a glance
Rarely is a roadster as capable as the coupe, but the 2011 Aston Martin Vantage Roadster is one of those rare commodities. While it is not perfect, in the face of such gorgeousness and exclusivity, the 2011 Aston Martin Vantage Roadster seems good enough.
2011 Aston Martin Vantage Roadster quick specs
| Body Style | Convertible |
| Class | Sports/GT |
| Assembled | - |
| Engine Range | - |
| Fuel Options | - |
| Seating Capacity | 2 |
2011 Aston Martin Vantage Roadster ratings (overall rating : 4/5.0)
| Styling | |
| Handling | |
| Comfort | |
| Quality + Reliability | |
| Performance |
| Roominess | |
| Running Costs | |
| Value for Money | |
| Equipment | |
| Environment |
Styling
Aston Martins are stunning cars. And the Vantage Roadster is no different. It inherits a number of familiar cues from its bigger sibling, the Aston Martin DB9. But being more compact, the 2011 Aston Martin Vantage Roadster appears more muscular though no less sexy. Some may prefer a styling more clearly differentiated from the DB9's, but there is no denying the 2011 Aston Martin Vantage Roadster's gorgeousness, however critical you are. The styling alone will win it many fans and customers.
Handling
With good agility, minimal body roll, immense grip and a direct, accurate steering, the 2011 Aston Martin Vantage Roadster is, for starters, much more entertaining to drive than the Aston Martin DB9. In the latest round of enhancements, the chassis and suspension have been tweaked to improve the low-speed ride comfort and body control. And the steering has been revised to provide more feedback. The changes seem to preserve the character of the original, while adding polish where it was needed. Rarely is a roadster as capable as the coupe, but the 2011 Aston Martin Vantage Roadster is one of those rare commodities.
Comfort
The rigid chassis produces barely a shake on bumpy roads, while the suspension tweaks bring about a more compliant, better-damped ride. The low-speed ride is still firm, but most surface imperfections are effectively insolated from the cabin. Cruising refinement is good, too, with little engine, road and wind noise at speed, making the 2011 Aston Martin Vantage Roadster a consummate grand tourer. Seating and steering adjustments are adequate for most to find an ideal driving position. However, the modern dashboard features a number of small, identical buttons/switches. The thick windscreen pillars severely limit visibility, too.
Quality + Reliability
As expected for a car this price, the cabin looks great and feels well-made. The dash fittings seem solid, the finishing appears lavish, and the materials are suitably premium. But some of the switchgear look out of place in the classy cabin. Aston Martin's reliability record has been less than stellar, but the fact that the Aston Martin Vantage Roadster has had no major problems since its introduction in 2006 should provide some needed assurance.
Performance
The previous 4.3-litre V8 has been upgraded to a 4.7-litre V8, with power increasing to 420 bhp (up 11 percent) and torque to 469 Nm (up 15 percent)—figures strong enough to propel the 2011 Aston Martin Vantage Roadster to 100 km/h from standstill in 4.7 seconds, 0.2 second better than before. The added power is noticeable at lower revs, but the bulk of the performance really comes after 3500 rpm. That is not the highlight, however; the bellow of the V8 is—it is arguably the most exciting sound you will ever hear. The six-speed Sportshift gearbox has been recalibrated to be smoother in Comfort mode, and more aggressive in Sport mode.
Roominess
The 2011 Aston Martin Vantage Roadster is a strict two-seater—one that provides more than adequate head- and leg-room for two. But the coupe's 300-litre boot has been halved to 144 litres. Cabin storage areas for odds and ends are also lacking. Still, the 2011 Aston Martin Vantage Roadster compares favourably with rivals in the area of practicality and usability.
Running Costs
Aston Martin benchmarked the Vantage's running costs against the Porsche 911's. But the official 7.6 km/litre fuel economy is worse than the 911's, and can only worsen with a heavy right foot. Servicing and maintenance bills should be as expensive as the 911's. But we are not sure if the more desirable, more exclusive 2011 Aston Martin Vantage Roadster can hold its value as well as the more established, more popular 911.
Value for Money
The 2011 Aston Martin Vantage Roadster is in no way the finished article. Dynamically, it still lags the Porsche 911. The weighty, accurate steering makes the car feel somewhat slow-witted when the going gets twisty, and the feedback can be better, too. The cabin can be more ergonomical, with the use of more tactile controls. And that is before taking into account the price premium over the 911. But consider the gorgeous looks, already brilliant handling, wonderful V8 with the intoxicating soundtrack, exclusivity, and those imperfections start to seem insignificant.
Equipment
In addition to the fully electric roof, the 2011 Aston Martin Vantage Roadster comes fairly well-equipped, having as standard alloy wheels, leather upholstery, climate control, electrically adjustable seats, electric mirrors and windows, reversing sensor and premium audio system. Plenty more equipments are on the option list; you just need to afford them. Safety equipments include dual front and side airbags, plus braking, traction and stability controls.
Environment
The Sportshift semi-automatic transmission improves fuel economy and carbon dioxide emissions by 13 percent. Still, the 7.6 km/litre fuel consumption and 312 grams/km are hardly figures to cheer about. To make things worse, like the Porsche 911, the 2011 Aston Martin Vantage Roadster is supposed to be an everyday supercar, which translates into more distance driven and more pollution created. Traditional supercars, on the other hand, are driven less, and hence pollute less overall.
Live Life Drive Verdict
Gorgeous looks
Brilliant handling
Powerful V8 with intoxicating soundtrack
Porsche 911 as rival
Poor visibility
Huge buying and running costs
