2008 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster Review

Serious, but with a Sunny Disposition

The Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster is the convertible version of the quick, nimble and sleekly styled V8 Vantage Coupe.

The Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster is a stylish, low-slung, two-seat convertible designed to take on the Porsche 911 and other similar near-exotic sports cars, but with a decidedly upper-crust British accent. It debuted in late 2006 at the Los Angeles Auto Show, in one of the world’s luxury-convertible hotspots.

The V8 Vantage Coupe bowed at the 2005 Geneva International Motor Show as an all-new 2006 model. With its long hood and wide front grille, the sleek V8 Vantage Roadster bears more than a passing resemblance to its larger stablemate, the DB9 Volante. Constructed from a combination of steel, aluminum and composite panels, the new convertible’s shell is draped over a lightweight yet rigid bonded aluminum structure that affords exceptional agility and ride comfort. The Roadster’s three-layer, power-operated soft-top lowers in 18 seconds at the push of a button and stows automatically beneath a rear tonneau cover. Unlike most convertible tops, it can be raised or lowered while the car is moving at speeds up to 30 mph.

Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster Vehicle Summary

Like its closed-roof counterpart, the V8 Vantage Roadster comes powered by a hand-assembled, all-aluminum 4.3-liter V8 engine that generates a strong 380 hp. It includes a dry-sump lubrication system that can keep the engine oil fully circulating throughout even the most extreme high-speed cornering maneuvers. Buyers can choose between a close-ratio slick-shifting six-speed manual gearbox and a new Sportshift automatic transmission that allows manual operation via steering-wheel-mounted paddles.

A rear-mounted transaxle contributes to a nearly ideal 49/51 front-to-rear weight distribution. Combined with a double-wishbone suspension and 18-inch wheels and tires, this produces superlative handling with an only moderately harsh ride. Four-wheel disc antilock brakes with brake assist and electronic brakeforce distribution, dynamic stability control and traction control are all standard and assure secure cornering and stopping abilities no matter what the weather or road conditions.

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The car’s handsome but snug interior features aluminum-finished gauges and trim work. The car comes well-equipped, but a few items you’d expect on a car that costs six figures are optional, such as cruise control, a garage door opener, auto-dimming rearview mirror and high-intensity headlamps. A navigation system is offered, but some of the latest gadgets, like an iPod adapter, adaptive headlamps or laser-guided cruise control, are not.