Aston Martin V8 Vantage N430 review
Friday, 22 May 2015
The Aston Martin V8 Vantage may be somewhat long of tooth - it'll be 10 soon - but it is certainly aging with grace.
As with any model in its dotage, expect a flow of limited edition 'finals' to keep the interest simmering as Aston Martin prepares to renew its entire portfolio, beginning with the DB9 later in the year.
The Vantage however still has a couple of years to go so special models like the N430 will have to keep on coming in the interim. This is not a limited edition as such but it is a new (-ish, it was introduced last year) model variant to the line-up, and it's a range that is getting ever more attractive due to its price creeping ever lower.
The N430 follows in the wheel tracks of the N400 and N420, models derived from those sent racing at the Nurburgring 24-hour event. That's what the N stands for, 430 representing the horse power count. The 4.7-litre V8 produces 321kW, the extra power over the Vantage S coming via a tuned air intake and ECU tweaks. The same dry-sumped V8 is said to power the company's GTE and GT4 race cars with 'only minimal specification changes'.
The colour scheme is N430-specific; there are five variations, all inspired by the GT4 race cars with contrasting highlights for the grille surround (or the lipstick, as they call it), the mirror caps, rear diffuser and the roofline of the Coupe (you can get a Roadster version too). This car is in the Stealth livery of jet black and grey, with the highlights painted, not just stickers, and the finish is superb.
Being racer inspired, the N430 can be had with weight saving seats underpinned by carbon fibre and Kevlar frames, still with electric adjustment of course; this is a gentleman's racer after all. And the 10-spoke wheels are forged items. Other racer touches in the cabin include the alcantara trim and carbon fibre highlights.
If you're the type that needs the latest and greatest of everything, move on, there's a fair bit of technology lacking here.
Vantage V8 styling still so right after all these years. And it looks even better in N430 guise. Photo: Tom Gasnier/Fairfax NZ
The interior still manages to look special but even the basics like a reverse camera, sat nav, and Bluetooth remain optional while the functionality is not all that flash.
There are two gearbox options, a six-speed manual, which is said to have a heavy clutch, and the position of the gear lever has always been awkward in the Vantage. Which leaves the seven-speed automated manual transmission. More on that soon.
That the Vantage's form still looks so right, the classic phallus on wheels sportscar shape, and that the drive stirs the soul, makes it easier to excuse many of the Vantage's shortcomings against more contemporary competitors.
The sound of the little V8 still does it too. Its timbre rings loud through the stainless steel sports exhaust when the bypass valves spring open from 3000rpm, winding out to 7500rpm with real verve. There are no turbos here so with 'just' 490Nm of torque made at 5000rpm, liberal use of the shift paddles is needed to reveal the oomph that lies up top. The actual performance isn't shattering but still satisfying, especially as we managed to replicate Aston's claimed 0-100kmh time of 4.8sec. It would be quicker if it launched harder, but it's quick enough, without being worryingly so on road.
As for the gearbox … it's always best to use the shift paddles, lifting briefly to smooth out the changes. The auto function just doesn't cut it. The gearbox does reasonably in traffic, the take up not overly laboured, and there's a useful hill hold function too. But a modern twin-clutch gearbox is the way to go both in terms of the auto mode and shift speeds at max attack.
Aston Martin's Vantage V8 N430 devours roads like these. Photo: Tom Gasnier/Fairfax NZ
The Vantage doesn't feel all floppy after 10 years in action, its aluminium chassis still standing up to interrogation.
It makes do without the adaptive dampers of the larger GT cars, while NZ-spec N430's are equipped with a comfort suspension tune rather than the stiffer sporting set up. And it's about spot on for New Zealand roads, with enough compliance to ride the bumps while maintaining poise in the bends. Occasionally, when powering on out of a bumpy exit, the rear moves around but as it's not overly endowed with torque, you can use plenty of throttle on the way out without getting into too much strife, while a long pedal travel means you don't have to be too finessed with your application either.
There's not much to worry about up front.
The Vantage has always had a sweet balance with its low-mounted engine tucked up against the firewall and the gearbox mounted on the rear transaxle.
And with grippy Bridgestones on duty, the N430 can be pushed along confidently. The steering has much to do with that too; it's a standout feature of the car. Being old-fashioned has its advantages sometimes. This is steering the way it used to be with good meaty weighting, and a bit of kickback and rattle through rough corners. Yet it is still full of genuine road feel that all those electric systems, with their motors hanging off the steering gear, manage to strangle. Electric systems do have their advantages in terms of saving gas and variable weighting, but it's been a while since I've driven a car with this much feel feeding back through to the hands. The brakes are up to spec too with a sensitive pedal and a plenty of arresting power.
There's still a certain amount of cool associated with the Vantage too, like the way the doors open out and up, even the design of both the exterior and interior door handles, and the old world charm of the flyaway handbrake.
With a well shaped boot, it's a usable two seater, and comfortable too as a cruiser, although some road roar on coarse chip permeates the cabin, but it's something all low-riding, big-tyred sportsters suffer. And using the full extent of the V8's rev range will see it drink petrol rabidly.
When Aston does get around to replacing the Vantage, it will be a big step change in terms of hardware and electronics, which has me kind of missing this old Vantage already.
The Stats
Model Aston Martin V8 Vantage N430
Price $215,000
Engine 4735cc, V8, 321kW@7300rpm, 490Nm@5000rpm
Transmission 7-speed robo-manaul, rear-wheel drive
Vitals 0-100 km/h 4.81sec, 13.8L/100km, 321g/km, 1598kg
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