New Aston Martin Vantage Roadster offers world class open top cruising
Vantage Coupe goes convertible
Aston Martin has unveiled an open top version of the 2024 Vantage Coupe, which the brand says delivers “a world-class roof-down driving experience like no other.” The Vantage Roadster comes with a slight increase in weight and has the fastest operating fully automatic roof on the market.
The move mirrors that of 20 years ago when Aston Martin introduced the V8 Vantage, the first Gaydon built ‘modern’ Aston to use the Vantage name, with a Roadster version coming one year later. It also continues a 75 year tradition of open top Vantage model upgrades which began with the DB2 in 1950.
Engine and performance
The Aston Martin Vantage Roadster is powered by the same 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbo engine as its Coupe stablemate, producing 665hp and 800Nm of torque. It is a significant leap from the previous generation of Vantage Roadster, however, thanks to larger turbochargers, revised camshaft profiles and an optimised compression ratio. This all means the engine can deliver a 0-62mph time of 3.5 seconds (0.1 seconds slower than the Coupe) and a top speed of 202mph
The performance hasn’t been compromised by the extra 60kg in weight added to the Roadster version, although that class leading figure is down to its ultra-stiff yet lightweight aluminium structure and the lightness of the roof. More on that later.
Design
Simply put, the Vantage Roadster takes the design of the Vantage Coupe and removes the roof, with its widened stance and larger grille increasing air flow to the engine by almost 30%.
The roof
The main event of the Aston Martin Vantage Roadster is its cloth roof which opens and closes in a ‘Z-fold’ configuration rather than the traditional ‘K-fold’. As the fastest electric folding convertible roof on sale today, it can open or close in 6.8 seconds at speeds of up to 31 mph.
Colour options
Three new paint colours are available from launch - Iridescent Sapphire, Satin Iridescent Sapphire and Bronze Flare, while the roof can chosen in either Black, Red, Blue or Black and Silver. There is also a selection of painted liveries in 21 modern colours, while the 21” wheels can also be finished in different ways, including seven different brake calliper colour choices.
As with all Astons, further customisation can be explored using the Q by Aston Martin personalisation service.
Interior and tech
Inside, the Roadster contains the same next gen infotainment seen in the Coupe and first introduced in the DB12. As part of a multi-screen system, it features a 10.25-inch touchscreen with single and multi-finger gesture control, balanced with physical switches to manage gear selection, drive selection, heating and ventilation. There are also switches to control Chassis ESP and Exhaust, Active Safety System settings and Park Distance Control designed to be operated intuitively without taking your eyes off the road.
The Roadster is also iOS and Android compatible, thanks to the new Aston Martin customer connectivity app.
An Aston Martin 390w 11 speaker audio system is fitted as standard, although for those keen on the crispest possible sound, a “world-class” Bowers & Wilkins system is available as an optional extra.
Cost and delivery dates
While the price hasn’t been officially confirmed as of yet, the Aston Martin Vantage Roadster is rumoured to cost between £170,000 and £180,000. Deliveries are set to take place in the second quarter of 2025 as the Vantage Roadster joins what Aston Martin calls the “most comprehensive and desirable product line up in its 112-year history.”
words: Mike Booth
pictures & video: Aston Martin