The Aston Martin Vantage is a sports cars from Aston Martin which was produced from 2005 onwards. It's main rivals included the Porsche 911, the BMW M6, the Nissan GT-R and the Audi R8.
The first gen Vantage was produced from 2005-2017, originally called the V8 Vantage, the car was later available with a V12, named the V12 Vantage. Several versions of the Vantage were present including the Roadster, the N24 and later in it's life the GT8 and GT12. The chassis and engine of the V8 Vantage was later used to make the DB10 used in the Bond Film Spectre.
The second-gen Vantage was considered a much more solid car, with proper engineering beneath the pretty body. It was a much better car and received high praise.
All three original presenters have been fond of the baby Aston particularly Jeremy Clarkson who bought one for his wife.
Appearances[]
- In Clarkson: Heaven and Hell Jeremy road tests the V8 Vantage for the first time. Despite criticizing the car's lack of speed and similarities to the DB9, he praises it's styling, handling, engine and noise, stating that it was more desirable than all of it's rivals.
- In Series 7, Episode 1, Jeremy chose V8 Vantage in a three car comparison in the Isle of Man against James in the Porsche 911 Carrera S and Richard in the BMW M6. Like before, Jeremy praised the Vantage's styling, handling, engine and noise but Richard and James felt it was immense disappointment due to it's lack of speed and similarities to the DB9.
- In Series 9, Episode 1, Jeremy pits the V8 Vantage in his review of the Jaguar XKR. Despite feeling the Aston was more exciting, he ultimately couldn't pull away from the Jaguar, feeling that the more powerful, comfortable, practical, and cheaper Jag was a better buy.
- In Series 10, Episode 1, James chose the V8 Vantage N24 as his lightweight supercar in search of the best driving road against Richard in the Porsche 911 GT3 RS and Jeremy in the Gallardo Superleggera. He ended up, loathing the car due to the fact it was quite literally a racing car for the road.
- In Series 10, Episode 5, Richard reviewed the V8 Vantage Roadster at the Top Gear Test Track, praising the car's excitement, speed, handling and soundtrack. He later raced it against a German on roller skates with a 300 hp (220 kW) turbo powered rocket backpack, which he won easily.
- In Clarkson: Supercar Showdown, Jeremy concludes that the V8 Vantage Roadster was the best current supercar due to it's beauty, handling, excitment and wantability factor.
- In Series 13, Episode 7, Jeremy ends the series with an emotional review of the V12 Vantage, describing the car as Wonderful but feeling that cars like that would be "consigned to the history books."
- In Clarkson: Duel, Jeremy gives a more thorough test of the V12 Vantage, beating rugby player Tom Varndell in a sprint race, before praising the V12's power, handling, drama and excitement stating it was a massive step up from the regular V8 Vantage. He later attempted to perform an endurance race against The Stig in a Morris Marina, but as usual, a piano fell on the Marina before the race could begin.
- In "Blind Drift" Wood reviews the V12 Vantage stating it to be a significant improvement over the regular V8 Vantage due to having more power and less weight. Round the Track the V12 Vantage sets a time of 1:28.2.
- In Top Gear: Apocalypse, James uses the V12 Vantage for his final drive against Richard in the Porsche 911 GT3. Despite losing a drag race, James praises the V12's handling and speed, as he and Richard blast round on their final ever lap.
- In Series 17, Episode 2, the Vantage V12 and V8 S are featured alongside the DBS in James' review of the Virage.
- In Top Gear: At The Movies Richard tests the V12 Vantage in the best engine sound competition, representing the V12s alongside the Ferrari 599. He praises it's deep sounding growl and it ultimately makes it to third place on the best sounding cars of all time.
- In Series 23, Episode 4, the V12 Vantage S is pitted in a two-lap race around Yas Marina during Harris' review of the Vulcan.
- In Aston, Astronauts and Angelina's Children, Hammond tests the new Vantage at the Eboladrome, praising its improved speed, handling, build quality and that now its a serious rivals to the 911, concluding "It's not just brilliant for an Aston Martin, It's brilliant full stop!!!" Eaton sets an impressive time of 1:20.4 round the Eboladrome.
- For his final appearance in Series 26, Episode 5, LeBlanc tests the new Vantage at the Top Gear Test Track. While he praises it's handling, noise and drive, he criticizes it's styling, soul and that it simply isn't as good as a Mercedes-AMG GT. Round the Track, The Stig sets a lap of 1:19.7.
- In Series 28, Episode 5, Flintoff chooses the new Vantage with assistance from The Stig against Harris in the Porsche 911 Carrera S alongside Damon Hill and McGuinness in the Ferrari Portofino with help from Sabine Schmitz, for a drive across Yorkshire.
- In Series 31, Episode 1, Flintoff utilises the new Vantage F1 Edition as the alternate track-day car to a Porsche 911 GT3 against Harris in the McLaren 765LT and McGuinness in the Alfa Romeo Giulia GTAm as they compete at Silverstone against three F1 drivers.
Trivia[]
- Jeremy Clarkson actually used a V8 Vantage which he bought for his wife.