Aston Martin Vantage

The 2025 Aston Martin Vantage is powered by a substantially upgraded 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, sourced from Mercedes-AMG but meticulously re-tuned by Aston Martin engineers. This powerhouse now produces an astonishing 656 bhp (665 PS) of power at 6000 rpm and a colossal 800 Nm of torque at 2750-6000 rpm. Power is sent to the rear wheels via an 8-speed ZF automatic transmission, which features a shorter final drive ratio for enhanced acceleration.

This potent powertrain enables the Vantage to achieve a blistering 0-100 kmph acceleration in just 3.5 seconds, with a top speed of 325 kmph. The engine delivers immense power with a characterful V8 soundtrack, providing an exhilarating and engaging driving experience. The 8-speed ZF gearbox offers quick and precise shifts, complementing the car's sporty nature. While it's not an all-out track machine, the Vantage's performance is designed to be usable across a wide variety of roads, offering both ferocious power and a good degree of refinement. Fuel efficiency is an expected 7 kmpl (ARAI).

Ride and Handling

The 2025 Aston Martin Vantage is engineered to deliver a dynamic and engaging ride and handling experience, striking a balance between raw sports car thrills and everyday usability. The chassis is significantly stiffer than its predecessor, thanks to additional cross-bracing at both axles and in the floor, contributing to improved agility and responsiveness. It features a double wishbone suspension at the front and a multi-link setup at the rear, coupled with Bilstein DTX adaptive dampers.

The steering is quick and precise, offering excellent feedback and making the Vantage incredibly agile around corners. With a perfect 50:50 weight distribution, the car feels balanced and planted. While the ride is firm, especially in Sport+ and Track modes, it is generally well-controlled and not overly jarring on smoother surfaces. However, on more challenging Indian roads, a more pliant GT setting might have been welcome. Cabin insulation is good, though some road and tire noise might filter in, adding to the sporty experience. The Vantage's ability to tackle speed breakers (with a ground clearance of 94mm) and its usable boot space make it surprisingly practical for a sports car.

The interior of the 2025 Aston Martin Vantage has undergone a complete transformation, offering a significantly more modern, luxurious, and technologically advanced cabin. The layout is entirely new, designed to be more driver-focused and ergonomic, with a strong emphasis on high-quality materials and exquisite craftsmanship.

The cabin is adorned with premium hand-stitched leather, Alcantara, and a choice of customizable trims including wood, metal, or carbon fibre. The driving position is low and cocooned, enhancing the sports car feel. A key highlight is the new 10.25-inch central touchscreen infotainment display, seamlessly integrated into the dashboard, and a matching 10.25-inch digital driver's display, providing all essential driving information. Physical buttons and knurled rotary dials for frequently used functions like climate control, drive modes, and volume are thoughtfully retained, offering a tactile and intuitive user experience. The two-seater cabin offers comfortable and supportive sports seats, often with heating and cooling options. Practicality is decent for a sports car, with a boot space of 346 litres, accessible via a rear hatch, capable of accommodating weekend luggage.

Infotainment

The infotainment system in the 2025 Aston Martin Vantage is an all-new, in-house developed unit, bringing a significant upgrade in terms of technology and user experience. It is displayed on a crisp 10.25-inch central touchscreen, offering a modern user interface, improved responsiveness, and high-resolution graphics.

A major technological advancement is the integration of Apple CarPlay Ultra, which extends beyond the central screen to the 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster. This allows for a highly customizable and integrated experience, displaying navigation, media, and various customizable dials across multiple screens. The system also supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, ensuring seamless smartphone connectivity. Physical buttons for key mechanical operations like gear selection, drive selection, heating, and ventilation are retained, providing a balance between touchscreen controls and tactile feedback. The Vantage also features full online connectivity, satellite navigation, wireless charging, and a premium 15-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system for an immersive sound experience.

The exterior design of the 2025 Aston Martin Vantage is a powerful evolution of its predecessor, showcasing a more aggressive and muscular aesthetic while retaining its inherent beauty. It features a wider stance, increased by 30mm, giving it a more imposing road presence. The front is dominated by a larger, more assertive grille, flanked by new, sharper LED headlights that integrate seamlessly into the design.

The sculpted bonnet, prominent wheel arches, and flowing lines contribute to its athletic and aerodynamic profile. The Vantage rides on large 21-inch hand-forged alloy wheels, wrapped in specially developed Michelin Pilot Sport 5 S tires, which perfectly complement its sporty character. The rear features a wider, more integrated design with distinctive LED taillights and larger-diameter quad exhaust tailpipes, emphasizing its performance capabilities. Subtle details like the side strakes with Aston Martin lettering and the unique mirror housing further enhance its premium appeal. The overall design is a masterful blend of classic Aston Martin elegance and contemporary aggression.

While specific crash test ratings from Indian agencies are not typically available for ultra-luxury sports cars, the 2025 Aston Martin Vantage is engineered with a paramount focus on safety, meeting high international standards. It is built on a bonded aluminium structure that enhances torsional stiffness and provides a strong safety cell for occupants.

The Vantage is equipped with a comprehensive array of passive safety features, including 4 airbags (driver, passenger, side, and curtain airbags). Active safety features include Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Traction Control (TC), Hill Assist, and Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). It also boasts an extensive suite of Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS), including Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Lane Keep Assist (LKA), Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM), and Adaptive High Beam Assist. Front and rear parking sensors and a rear camera with guidelines further aid in maneuvering and safety.

The 2025 Aston Martin Vantage operates in the highly exclusive and competitive luxury sports car segment in India, facing off against some of the most iconic names in performance motoring.

Its primary competitors include the Porsche 911 (especially Turbo and GT3 variants) and the Ferrari Roma. The Porsche 911 is renowned for its everyday usability, legendary handling, and a wide range of variants catering to different performance needs. The Ferrari Roma, on the other hand, offers a blend of classic Italian elegance, modern performance, and a strong brand legacy. The Vantage differentiates itself with its unique British charm, a more muscular aesthetic, and a distinct driving character that combines brute force with a sophisticated edge.

Other formidable rivals include the Mercedes-AMG GT Coupe (especially the higher-performance variants) and the Maserati GranTurismo. While these offer compelling performance and luxury, the Aston Martin Vantage stands out with its bespoke craftsmanship, the evocative V8 soundtrack, and the sheer exclusivity that comes with the Aston Martin badge. The Vantage also competes with high-end variants of the Bentley Continental GT, though the Bentley leans more towards grand touring luxury, while the Vantage is a more focused sports car.

The 2025 Aston Martin Vantage is a resounding success, representing a significant evolution of Aston Martin's core sports car. It delivers a truly exhilarating driving experience, thanks to its immensely powerful twin-turbo V8 engine and sharpened dynamics. The completely new interior, with its luxurious materials and cutting-edge infotainment system featuring Apple CarPlay Ultra, elevates the cabin to a new level of sophistication and usability.

While its ultra-premium price point places it in an exclusive league, the Vantage justifies its cost with its stunning design, uncompromised performance, and the bespoke craftsmanship that Aston Martin is renowned for. For driving enthusiasts in India who demand a pure, engaging, and luxurious two-seater sports car that can thrill on the open road and turn heads everywhere, the 2025 Aston Martin Vantage is a highly desirable and compelling choice. It truly embodies the spirit of a modern British sports car, blending tradition with technological advancement.