2010 Aston Martin Vantage: Big value from the smallest Aston

AARON KILEY FOR THE TORONTO STAR

Aston offers two versions of the Vantage V8 two-seaters.

Until the two-seat V8 Vantage came along in 2005, Aston Martin had only larger – and exponentially more expensive – 2+2 GT coupes selling in boutique numbers.

So when Ulrich Bez, former Porsche bigwig and current Aston Martin chairman and chief executive, came over to the British brand in 2000, one of his first projects was to create a less expensive car to expand the brand's appeal and sales.

Aston Martin DB9 a grand coupe

Now, instead of handing over $200,000 for a DB9 to gain entry to the exclusive Aston Martin club, a 2010 Vantage Coupé gets you past the red velvet rope for the low-low price of $135,495. A clothtop Roadster is about $16,000 more.

Last year saw a new 4.7-litre V8 engine arrive with a power output of 420 hp; an 11 per cent increase over the previous 4.3 L unit. The run from 0-to-96 km/h is now only 4.7 seconds and top speed is 288 km/h.

But forget the numbers – this car's best attribute when accelerating is its wail. The exhaust note is one of the best soundtracks in the auto world: Ripping velvet; smooth baritone; screaming valkyrie. You pick.

From inside the car, you sit low in the Vantage's cockpit, gazing out over that long hood. There's little "base model" feel to be found here. Most of the leather-trimmed elements and controls are carried over from the bigger DB9.

And for 2010, there's even more luxury, with a newly available Bang & Olufsen sound system, more polished trim, perforated leather seats and custom luggage set.

For that reason alone, it's the driving enthusiast's pick.

And while it may be the company's least expensive car, most passersby wouldn't be able to tell the difference between the V8 Vantage and its V12-engined big brothers, the DB9 and the DBS.

–John LeBlanc

Aston Martin DB9 a grand coupe

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