Fresh air luxury.

IS THERE A CREATOR OF MORE BEAUTIFUL CARS THAN ASTON MARTIN?
Beauty, of course, is in the eye of the driver (and passenger), but I’ve loved virtually every Aston since the DB2 of the early 1950s — and they’ve only become sleeker and more stunning over time. The inspired cross-marketing of James Bond and the Aston Martin DB5 elevated the brand exponentially. After all, who wouldn’t want some of Q’s gadgets for the morning commute?

In the real world, the DB lineage has now reached the DB12, and today’s models are more sculpted and powerful than ever. While Aston still offers V12s, most modern models are powered by the brand’s refined twin-turbo V8 — a mainstay that provides ample punch. The car in focus here, the Vantage Roadster, puts that engine to excellent use:

• Horsepower: 670 hp
• Torque: 590 lb-ft
• Top speed: 202 mph
• 0-60 mph: 3.6 seconds
• Base price: $205,900

But the Vantage Roadster is more than a steroidal supercar. With a stance that declares “Right Now,” its scoops, creases, aero bits, and long-hood / short-deck proportions telegraph the performance ahead. Despite weighing a solid 3,980 pounds, its near-perfect 49 / 51 front-rear balance gives it exceptional poise in high-speed corners. (Note: no speed limits were knowingly ignored in the creation of this article.)

“My” Vantage wore Satin Iridescent Sapphire, a matte blue that shimmered differently in every light, paired with a black fabric convertible top. Inside, navy blue semi-aniline leather – soft, rich, and lightly finished for a natural look – created a cabin of restrained elegance. Satin-black forged wheels, carbon-fiber accents, smoked-chrome badging, and dark-chrome jewelry completed the picture. Options added roughly $100,000, bringing the total to $309,100 – and worth every cent of visual drama.

Driving the Roadster (Aston departs from its usual “Volante” naming here) is a pleasure before the engine even starts. The lines demand admiration; the finish invites touch. Opening the door reveals craftsmanship of the highest order – every surface a testament to British design and material excellence. Once seated, you’re enveloped in a cockpit that feels both luxurious and purposeful.

On the road, the Vantage’s adjustability impresses. A twist of a single dial transforms the car from quiet cruiser to track weapon, altering exhaust note, suspension firmness, and transmission response on demand.

I am lucky to have Malibu Canyon and the legendary Mulholland Highway within easy reach — ideal territory to explore what the Vantage can do. The Bilstein DTX adaptive dampers, capable of thousands of adjustments per second, flatten bumps and stabilize transitions from long sweepers to off-camber corners. The electronic rear differential (E-Diff) adjusts from fully open to fully locked in just a tenth of a second, optimizing traction whether accelerating hard or carving corners.

The result is part Downton Abbey, part Le Mans: a car of supreme luxury that can unleash fury at a moment’s notice. Despite its opulent cabin, the Vantage is startlingly quick and agile. Its blend of beauty, brawn, and balance makes one wonder — GT or sports car? The answer, delightfully, is yes. It’s whatever your right foot decides.

My time with the Vantage ended far too soon, but that’s the truest testament to its appeal. The looks, the sound, the feel – together they create an experience that’s as unforgettable as it is quintessentially Aston Martin.