Revving into Freedom: The Vantage Roadster Crafted for True Driving Enthusiasts

• Long-awaited new Vantage Roadster, most powerful front-engine, rear-wheel drive sports car is now available for open-air driving
• Technical evolution of the Vantage Coupe in 2024 is inherited by Vantage Roadster, featuring industry-leading Active Vehicle Dynamics, Electronic Rear Differential (E-diff), Bilstein DTX adaptive dampers fine-tuned to specifications
• Outstanding performance is maintained due to lightweight construction, with outputs of 665PS/800Nm from the Aston Martin 4.0-Litre V8 Twin-Turbo engine
• Overall weight variation of just 60kg incorporating the roof and all structural enhancements
• Quickest electric folding convertible roof available today, capable of opening or closing fully in only 6.8 seconds, and at speeds of up to 31mph (50km/h)
• Frame and suspension adjusted to accommodate the rearward shift in weight distribution
• Maximum speed remains unchanged from Vantage Coupe at 202mph, 0-60mph in 3.5 seconds
• Deliveries expected to commence in Q2 2025

 

15 January 2025, Gaydon, Warwickshire: Aston Martin is excited to unveil the new Vantage Roadster, a convertible counterpart to the award-winning Vantage Coupe. Debuting in 2024, the new Vantage has further defined the brand’s luxury and performance characteristics, surpassing any previous Vantage models in capability and engagement. Now, the arrival of Vantage Roadster enhances the authentic driving experience even more.

 

Driven by the Aston Martin 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbo engine delivering 665PS/800Nm, Vantage Roadster presents all the class-leading performance, dynamic sensations, and visual thrill of the coupe, augmented by a dimension of open-top freedom and excitement for those passionate about open-air driving. Vantage Roadster elevates the emotional aspect of the already remarkable driving experience, expanding the outstanding allure of this quintessential yet advanced British sports automobile.

 

The new Vantage Roadster has been crafted to provide all the elegance, sense of liberty, and adventure that convertibles are celebrated for, without the typical limitations of their design. As stunning as its hardtop sibling, with minimal weight increase and the quickest fully automatic roof operation on the market, Vantage Roadster is a convertible of no concessions and a commendable new addition to the Vantage lineage.

 

This model continues the legacy of open-top Aston Martin Vantage models that traces back 75 years to the debut of the Vantage engine enhancement package for the DB2 (available both as a coupe – referred to as a saloon – and convertible – called drophead coupe) in 1950, which introduced larger carburettors and a heightened compression ratio to boost power for the 2.6-litre twin cam engine from 105bhp to an impressive 125bhp.

 

This year, Aston Martin is commemorating the 20th anniversary of the 2005 launch of the V8 Vantage. It was the first Gaydon-crafted ‘modern’ Aston Martin to bear the name and the first Vantage to stand as a distinct model, rather than a variation, followed by its own Roadster version arriving merely a year later.

 

Aston Martin Chief Executive Officer, Adrian Hallmark, stated: “The technical and dynamic performance of the New Vantage has achieved remarkable results; well beyond any prior Vantage and it is now regarded as a true class-leading sports vehicle. Vantage Roadster is no exception in being a completely reimagined experience, encompassing all the perks of the Coupe with no compromises to quality or performance achieved through diligent efforts by our engineering and dynamics teams. Vantage Roadster provides an unparalleled, top-down driving experience like no other.”

 

ENGINEERING

Essential to Vantage Roadster’s capability to preserve the vital dynamic qualities of Vantage Coupe is the fact that both models were designed and engineered simultaneously rather than consecutively, thereby allowing the Roadster to be a thoroughly developed model in its own right, enabling the team to incorporate features and aspects that ensure no compromises to performance, ride quality, and handling, while avoiding excessive additional weight.

 

In comparison to the preceding Vantage Roadster, Aston Martin’s unique 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbo engine has witnessed an astonishing increase in power and torque by 155PS and 115Nm due to larger turbochargers, modified camshaft profiles, and an optimized compression ratio. With a total of 665PS and an incredible 800Nm of torque transmitted through an eight-speed paddle-shift transmission to an electronically controlled limited slip differential that only drives the rear wheels, Vantage Roadster merges explosive performance (0-60mph in 3.5 seconds, top speed of 202mph) with cutting-edge technology within the classic, front-engine, rear-wheel drive layout favored by driving enthusiasts. Additionally, with a retractable roof, even more of that unparalleled V8 roar can be enjoyed by occupants, resonating from beneath Vantage’s strikingly sloped bonnet and exhaust tailpipes.

 

Due to its ultra-rigid yet lightweight aluminum frame, composite body panels, and a 49:51 front to rear weight distribution, Vantage Roadster creates the perfect foundation for the suspension to operate. Incorporating race-inspired unequal length double wishbones at the front, a multi-link rear axle, coil springs, and Bilstein DTX adaptive dampers (engineered to bespoke specifications), along with a non-isolated steering column, Vantage Roadster delivers the precision, balance, poise, and, above all, confidence that are the defining traits of an exceptional high performance driver’s vehicle.

 

Brake discs measuring 410mm at the front (equipped with carbon ceramic brakes) secured by six-piston monoblock calipers ensure Vantage Roadster can decelerate even more swiftly than it accelerates – and do so consistently. The necessary grip comes from specialized Michelin Pilot Sport S 5 tyres, custom designed by Michelin and fine-tuned by Aston Martin with a compound tailored to the specific needs of the Vantage. These tyres provide not only superior grip under both dry and wet conditions but also exceptional steering feedback and progressive breakaway properties.

 

All this advanced engineering is supported by an electronic system utilizing six-axis sensors, capable of delivering an astonishingly detailed depiction of precisely how the car is performing, allowing the ESP system to adopt optimal configurations based on both road conditions and the driving style. Furthermore, Vantage Roadster brings over the innovative Advanced Traction Control system from the Vantage Coupe, enabling drivers to select from eight traction control settings; the default setting of five is optimized for achieving the quickest, cleanest lap times. The lower the number, the greater the level of intervention, providing additional reassurance and safety under challenging weather conditions, while drivers wanting to refine their skills on the track can disable traction control for a pure, unfiltered driving experience.

 

From

At the beginning, numerous strategies were incorporated into the design of the Vantage Roadster to guarantee that the essence of Vantage, remarkable capability, and passion for the open road were conveyed from Coupe to Roadster in their purest form. To achieve this, two main objectives, typically regarded as opposing goals, were prioritized from the outset. These were to keep the Roadster as lightweight as possible compared to the Coupe while preserving structural strength at an exceptionally high level for a convertible vehicle.

 

Among these strategies are the identification of load paths within the structure and body, as well as alterations in how the body is secured at the rear of the vehicle, which enhances additional rigidity in relation to the Coupe. Moreover, weight-optimized shear panels have been integrated at key locations to bolster lateral stiffness of the structure even beyond that of the Coupe, countering the loss of rigidity naturally associated with any convertible vehicle.

 

The roof itself utilizes a ‘Z-fold’ design, which is inherently quicker and lighter than a conventional ‘K-fold’ roof, negating the need for a tonneau cover, thus further reducing weight and lowering the center of gravity. The Vantage Roadster’s roof can be opened or closed at speeds of up to 31 mph (50 km/h), with the complete roof folding process (either way) taking only 6.8 seconds, making it the fastest fully-automated deployable roof mechanism available today. Furthermore, this seamless operation can be executed while seated inside the vehicle or remotely via the key, provided the operator is within a two-meter radius of the car.

 

Despite the remarkable speed of the roof operation and its lightweight structure, no compromises have been made regarding comfort. The roof features no less than eight layers of insulation, guaranteeing that cabin noise levels when the roof is closed are on par with those of the Vantage Coupe.

 

The Z-fold mechanism results in a simpler and therefore lighter roof, allowing the Vantage Roadster to achieve a total weight increase of merely 60 kg, an exceptional accomplishment – and industry-leading – for a vehicle in this segment.

 

Even the roll-over structure has been meticulously optimized, ensuring it is both robust and lightweight. The aluminum Roll-Over and Protection System (ROPS) is crafted using a method known as ‘Castrusion’, which merges ideal elements from both casting and extrusion to create a system that is durable, lightweight, and easy to package.

 

Lastly, modifications have also been made to the suspension system to account for the changes in mass and weight distribution. Although these adjustments are slight, the presence of recalibrated software for the rear dampers and retuned mountings for the rear-mounted gearbox in the Vantage Roadster demonstrates the lengths Aston Martin engineers go to for ensuring the iconic Vantage handling capabilities are transferred from Coupe to Roadster.

 

Simon Newton, Director of Vehicle Performance, stated, “Vantage grabbed headlines last year for the substantial gains in power and torque over the previous model, and the striking manner in which it delivered such immense performance captivated enthusiasts and purists alike. The simultaneous development of both Vantage Coupe and Roadster enabled us to maintain the extraordinary dynamic prowess and nimble sporting character of Vantage without compromise upon the removal of the roof, allowing drivers to enjoy the thrill at the limit with more exposure to the elements. This has been accomplished through careful optimizations in the body structure alongside Roadster-specific chassis tuning executed by our proficient dynamics team, making it the ideal companion to its Coupe counterpart.”

 

DESIGN

It was imperative that all the visceral impact and elegance of the Vantage Coupe be preserved in the Vantage Roadster, ensuring it maintained its stunning contours whether the roof is in the raised or lowered position. This has been accomplished so successfully that when the roof is stowed, the Vantage Roadster appears to have always been designed this way. The dramatically inclined windscreen merges with the vehicle’s elevated waistline, producing a proportionally perfect thoroughbred sports car silhouette.

 

The roof integrates seamlessly behind the seats with no requirement for a cumbersome and heavy tonneau cover, and the bootlid deck gently slopes downwards until it meets the striking upward curve of the distinctive rear spoiler. The widened stance introduced on the coupe is preserved on the Roadster, as is the enlarged opening of the iconic Aston Martin grille; a prime example of how to fuse beauty with functionality, as the large grille enhances air flow to the powerful engine by nearly 30 percent.

 

With a stunning canvas available to create a sporting masterpiece, three new paint colors – Iridescent Sapphire, Satin Iridescent Sapphire, and Bronze Flare – have been included in the paint selection, while the roof of the Vantage Roadster can be specified in Black, Red, Blue, or a combination of Black and Silver. To further elevate the car’s sporting essence, a variety of painted liveries can also be applied in a selection of 21 complementary colors. There are four 21” wheel styles available in various finishes, behind which can be seen one of seven different color options for brake calipers.

 

Marek Reichman, Aston Martin Chief Creative Officer, remarked: “This new Vantage Roadster is a sculptural masterpiece. The resonant growl of its engine breathes life into its simple yet sophisticated surface design, establishing an undeniable connection. Its form radiates beauty, its athletic poise conveys a sense of predatory intent, and its sound offers a visceral, sensory experience. Crafted as both art and high performance, the engine’s sound amplifies this equilibrium, turning the auditory experience into an integral part of the journey. With the roof down, the soundscape becomes as dynamic as the design, merging simplicity, power, and a visceral bond that elevates driving into an unparalleled sensory experience.”

 

As with all Aston Martin models, Vantage customers can explore limitless bespoke and customization options through the Q by Aston Martin personalization service. Engaging with the expertise of Q’s designers and artisans, clients embark on an unforgettable custom commissioning journey that can range from a single small distinguishing feature to the complete engineering and production of entirely bespoke components to create a true one-off vehicle.

 

The Vantage Roadster, like its Coupe counterpart, showcases Aston Martin’s next-generation infotainment system. Developed in-house and initially introduced on the DB12, this system is entirely unique and built from the ground up. It combines a fully integrated multi-screen system with complete online connectivity, featuring a 10.25” Pure Black touchscreen with full capacitive single and multi-finger gesture control. Touchscreen commands are balanced with the tactile feel of physical switches, with buttons retained for key mechanical operations such as gear selection, drive selection, heating, and ventilation. There are also control switches for Chassis, ESP, Exhaust, Active Safety System settings, and Park Distance Control, ensuring that the most frequently used controls can be operated intuitively without diverting attention from the road. Enhanced by a new Aston Martin customer connectivity app that supports iOS and Android devices, it facilitates interaction, control, and feedback between the customer and their Vantage through their personal devices.

 

The Vantage Roadster comes standard with the Aston Martin 390w 11-speaker audio system. This system, developed using advanced technology, features a Surround sound mode with QuantumLogic^® surround sound processing for an enveloping audio experience. However, for customers who seek a truly exceptional auditory backdrop to their drive, an optional system developed with Aston Martin’s audio partner, Bowers & Wilkins, is available. Acoustically engineered to fit the Vantage Roadster’s interior volume and shape, this remarkable system employs technologies and innovations found in Bowers & Wilkins’ renowned world-class speakers.

 

Deliveries for the Vantage Roadster will commence in Q2 2025. It joins its Coupe sibling, the DB12 and DB12 Volante, the breathtaking new Vanquish, and, of course, the Supercar of SUVs, the DBX707, along with the upcoming Valhalla supercar, to create undoubtedly the most capable, comprehensive, and attractive product lineup in the 112-year history of the Aston Martin marque.

 

 

-ENDS-