AGOURA HILLS, Calif. – As if driving an Aston Martin Vantage isn’t particular sufficient, this might be the F1 Version, which isn’t only a particular paint job and a few stickers commemorating Aston’s return to Formulation 1 again in 2021. It’s successfully a reproduction of the Formulation 1 security automotive, which itself isn’t only a particular paint job and a few stickers. The powertrain, chassis and aerodynamics are all upgraded to fulfill the elevated calls for of the job, upgrades that had been transferred to the automotive you see right here.
The AMG-sourced 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 will get an additional 25 horsepower for a grand complete of 535. Most torque output stays the identical at 505 pound-feet, however that peak is sustained longer. The eight-speed automated’s shift occasions are decreased and its responses whereas braking are improved. As for the chassis, the underbody is strengthened, the dampers are reworked for improved vertical physique management, and the rear spring charges are elevated. The steering is altered for improved suggestions as properly, and the wheels are enlarged to 21 inches, up from the usual automotive’s 20.
Lastly, it appears totally different because of the aerodynamic enhancements: full-width entrance splitter, entrance dive planes, underbody turning vanes, and simply in case you didn’t discover it, a wing. Surprisingly, the massive rear diffuser truly carries over unchanged. Additionally surprisingly, you will get the Vantage F1 Version as a convertible, however because it was created to tempo F1 and never the Indianapolis 500, choosing the Coupe ends in probably the most devoted duplicate.
Sadly, I’ve by no means pushed every other current-generation Aston Martin Vantage, so how a lot of a distinction any of the above does is a thriller to me. I believe the journey is worse given what I’ve learn in regards to the Vantage’s grand-touring capabilities, however I doubt you’re actually attempting to determine whether or not to test the F1 Version possibility field, so listed here are the issues that the majority stood out to me whereas driving the Aston Martin Vantage F1 Version.
1. Oh man, the noise! Half I
Phrases can’t actually do justice to how unimaginable this automotive sounds if you lay into it, and consider me, there’s one thing about driving an Aston Martin that makes you wish to lay into it. And fireplace weapons out of the headlights, however that’s a special story. There’s the rumbling wail from the exhaust. There’s the whirring V8, which positively has a special tone than the AMG variations of the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8, nevertheless it’s nonetheless clearly associated. The Porsche 911 sounds sensible, however that is higher. Hooray V8s.
2. Oh man, the noise! Half II
Alternatively, if you’re simply driving round, there isn’t any rumbling wail. It’s extra like a deep concussive whir round 2,000 rpm. It will get outdated. Additionally, in Monitor mode, the exhaust throws in crackles and pops on the overrun, however they don’t truly sound all that good. Very contrived. I want I may interact Monitor mode for the transmission however go away the exhaust in regular. Between this and the wing, this explicit Aston Martin doesn’t precisely match into the admittedly old-school mildew of “gents’s motoring” I affiliate with the model.
3. I may use a transmission setting between Sport+ and Monitor
Not like with a Porsche PDK or Mercedes-AMG transmission, the Aston’s eight-speed torque converter automated was not in a position to obtain “simply go away it in auto” excellence. Sport+ wasn’t good sufficient to downshift as readily and by as many gears as was wanted. Monitor was, however it will then cling onto these gears too lengthy, particularly when you carry off the throttle instantly at greater rpm. This wouldn’t be an issue when serving as a Security Automotive given the upper speeds and extra extended acceleration, which is probably the difficulty – I’d be curious to attempt an ordinary Vantage for this space particularly.
4. Constructed for the monitor, impeccable on a mountain street
It is a front-engined, rear-wheel-drive automotive, nevertheless it’s additionally a remarkably balanced sports activities automotive that stays as planted as promised by its F1-specific upgrades. On Mulholland Freeway by way of the Santa Monica mountains, it flat-out hauled. Really feel by way of the chassis and steering is considerable; the grip prodigious. That is a straightforward automotive to drive shortly. Rewarding, too.
5. The journey lives as much as the F1 badge
This isn’t a snug automotive. Maybe extra so than a Porsche GT3, however even its default Sport mode (there isn’t any Consolation) has the power to show completely acceptable pavement right into a tiresome expertise. On Mulholland Freeway, I used to be additionally solely ready to make use of Sport. It simply turned too bumpy and unsettled in Sport+, which rendered Monitor mode completely moot.
Then once more, that is an F1 Security Automotive duplicate. Its Monitor mode must be an honest-to-god monitor mode. This could be the opposite space I might most like to match with an ordinary model of the automotive.
6. The steering wheel isn’t truly a wheel
Admittedly, I feel this “wheel” is ugly. I initially thought it was foolish, however I’m retracting that. The design finally ends up taking over much less actual property, and when you’re like me and shuffle steer, the bizarre chunky grips at 4 and eight mix with the standard ones at 2 and 10 to principally provide you with three wonderful grip factors (the default 3 and 9 being the opposite). The highest and backside are then flat.
That stated, I may dwell with out the suede wheel. Except you put on driving gloves, which I suppose you’d be whereas driving an F1 Security Automotive, it certain appears much less grippy to me than leather-based could be.
7. Ye olde Mercedes tech interface isn’t a nasty factor
Regardless of my expectation, the V8 Vantage doesn’t have the identical Mercedes-sourced infotainment system because the DBX, which is definitely (not less than) two generations behind what you’d discover in an precise Mercedes. Seemingly a reskin of the ultimate model of Mercedes COMAND, it has a not-touchscreen show managed with both a knob controller or a shiny black touchpad that arcs above it. The UI is particular to Aston Martin, and is even worse than the Mercedes model that I at all times felt was complicated and a step again from its predecessor. Fortunately, seems the Aston Martin Vantage has a model of that predecessor. So certain, it’s based mostly on a good older Mercedes COMAND infotainment system, however the on-screen person interface and knob-only controller is easier and simpler to make use of. I may dwell with it, largely as a result of I used that model of COMAND fairly a bit and preferred it.
8. The pedals are completely arrange for heel-toe downshifts …
… too dangerous there’s a COMAND knob the place the shifter must be. That is much less a grievance in regards to the Vantage F1 Version not being accessible with a guide transmission (particularly as that may be foolish for an F1 Security Automotive), and extra about how shut the brake and accelerator are. Not simply when it comes to lateral spacing – they’re roughly on the identical fore-aft aircraft as properly. I’ve by no means pushed a automotive with pedals like this. I’m certain engineers at different automotive corporations could be shocked by this, whereas their lawyer overlords could be placing in determined calls to administration to cease it. I assumed it was nice.
9. I feel I’m extra of a DB12 man
An Aston Martin with a wing simply appears fallacious to me. So does an Aston Martin that may be uncomfortable to drive from London to the Scottish Highlands. As such, the F1 Version wouldn’t be my Aston Martin of alternative. Shockingly, and maybe I ought to whisper this, I loved the DBX higher. I’m guessing I might vastly desire the brand new DB12, although to be completely trustworthy, if I had been to purchase an Aston Martin, it will be a 2007 DBS, with a guide, in Lightning Silver. I used to be fortunate sufficient to drive that when and it stays one in all my all-time favorites. It was a DB9 with delicate enhancements all over the place that amounted to a sharper automotive to drive with out abandoning the usual Aston DB grand-touring ethos. The F1 Version could also be a sharper Vantage, however I can’t say that ethos stays.