The final verdict is in! Blistering speed, astounding beauty, supreme comfort, state-of-the-art tech, undiluted enjoyment—these are the automobiles that wowed our esteemed panel of experts.
Aston Martin Vantage
It’s easy to overlook the strapline Aston Martin conjured up for the new Aston Martin Vantage— “engineered for real drivers” —as pure marketing spin. After all, which self-respecting sports car manufacturer wouldn’t create a vehicle for those seeking excitement and sporting prowess? But thankfully, every element lives up to this one-liner, with the new Vantage punching far above its weight in terms of performance.
Our panel were particularly impressed with the Vantage’s potent 4.0-litre, AMG-derived, twin-turbo V8, which produces a whopping 489 kW and covers the 0–100 km/h dash in just 3.5 seconds. With a supercaresque top speed of 325 km/h, the Vantage can compete with more than what you’d deem to be its immediate competitors.
On the outside, its body appears to be shrink-wrapped around the engineering underneath, something Aston’s chief creative officer Marek Reichman has become particularly adept at during his 20-year tenure with the marque.
While the Vantage is a pretty two-seater sports car, it’s on the inside that the real difference is felt with the updated interior, touchscreen and improved fit and finish, making this Aston incredibly easy to live with—and, unanimously, the best of the best.
Technical Specs
ENGINE: 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8
POWER: 489 kW
ZERO TO 100KM/H: 3.5 seconds
TOP SPEED: 325 km/h
PRICE: €195,300
