2026 Aston Martin Vantage Roadster First Drive Review: Nothing That Looks This Good Should Be This Fast

For those who’re eyeing up a brand new Aston Martin Vantage and would normally forego the wind-in-your-hair choice for the lighter weight and additional rigidity of a set roof, then it could be time to take a more in-depth have a look at the brand new Vantage Roadster model. The Roadster weighs solely 132 kilos greater than the Coupe due to the structural enhancements required to maintain it as stiff because the Coupe. And, the chassis must preserve its integrity as the brand new Vantage is likely to be a svelte-looking piece of automotive jewellery, however it’s additionally an absolute beast of a sports activities automotive.

The bodywork seems, at first look, to be primarily hood because it’s overlaying the now-656 hp twin-turbo V8 engine, whereas the remaining appears to be wheel arches to cowl the extremely broad tires. The Vantage is not only a reasonably automotive, it is a rear-wheel-drive fanatic’s sports activities automotive with a white-knuckle edge to it when pushed arduous. Aston Martin invited us to Palm Springs to spend a day with the 2026 Vantage Roadster and its new additional dose of energy and efficiency. It simply occurs that we ended up driving it on this writers yard, giving us an opportunity to essentially push the brand new Vantage round on roads we all know extraordinarily nicely.

First Drive occasions present our preliminary impressions of a automobile in a restricted setting below sure time constraints. Regulate DrivingOnRoad for our complete Check Drive assessment which is able to observe quickly.

What’s Modified For This Mannequin 12 months?

For 2026, Aston Martin has introduced the Roadster model of the Vantage again, having designed the fastened roof and folding roof model alongside one another, permitting the engineers to reduce the standard issues of getting a delicate prime. The Mercedes-AMG-based engine makes 153 extra hp than earlier than together with a hefty 590 pound-feet of torque as a consequence of bigger turbochargers, revised camshaft profiles, and a re-jigged compression ratio. Aston claims zero to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds and, from expertise, we imagine it. Nevertheless, we would wish an extended strip of racetrack to check the declare of a 202 mph prime velocity.

Design and Model: A Reliable Head Turner

Consideration to element is what makes a luxurious automotive luxurious, and Aston Martin is not holding again. The delicate prime has eight layers of insulation inbuilt and folds in a Z form slightly than the standard Okay form. The insulation makes the cabin extremely quiet for a delicate prime, which means you’ll be able to take pleasure in your music or a dialog with out a lot exterior noise leaking in with the highest up. The Z-shaped folding mechanism means there isn’t any want for the added weight and complication of a tonneau cowl, and the roof will be folded in 6.8 seconds. For those who’ve ever sat at a site visitors gentle wanting to place the highest down, each second counts if you happen to do not need to annoy drivers behind you, and 6.8 seconds is quick. It can be activated at speeds of as much as 31 mph.

If something, the Vantage seems to be even higher in Roadster spec, however it’s shut. The wheelbase is brief, however the hood is lengthy and the automotive is broad, which is one thing we’ll deal with later. Our tester sits on one among 4 21-inch solid wheel choices, with bespoke Michelin Pilot Sport S 5 tires you can solely recognize the width of from the again or by turning the wheel.

Inside: Extra Luxurious Than Any Supercar

Our tester has the All Onyx Black Haircell Leather-based inside, which feels extremely premium all through, however is greatest demonstrated by the metallic thumb dial controls within the middle console. They’re fantastically weighted and a tactile enjoyment of an age of contact buttons with synthetic suggestions. The seats are a number of the most well-balanced items between consolation and sport we have skilled. At first look, they do not appear like they’re going to maintain you in place hurtling down a twisty again highway, however they’re remarkably efficient whereas nonetheless being plush and straightforward to get out and in of.

Sitting within the cockpit, there’s loads of room as a result of automotive’s width; the delicate prime takes up little room within the cargo space – there’s room again there for a weekend’s price of baggage with out having to make a lot in the best way of compromise. Within the middle console, you may discover a 10.2-inch infotainment show with the primary options wanted, together with Apple Carplay and a wi-fi charger. Our tester was fitted with the non-obligatory Bowers & Wilkins sound system, which sounds virtually pretty much as good because the engine does.

Powertrain & Driving: A Bit Of An Animal

Below that huge hood is a Mercedes-AMG-supplied 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 that has been tuned by Aston Martin to swimsuit the Vantage – and, oh boy, does it. This isn’t a lazy V8. It revs quick and arduous. Aston instructed us it is extra “punchy” than earlier than, and it definitely delivers. The surplus of torque is out there early and is seemingly limitless, whereas the 656 horses are greatest described as being pressing. From a standstill, it is laugh-out-loud quick and the sound is uncooked and aggressive with out changing into uncouth, which is a fantastic line to stability on.

We spent the day on roads we all know just like the again of our palms and precisely the place you’ll be able to put the boot in coming onto the straights, however full throttle is one thing for use with care nonetheless. All that energy goes to the rear wheels and whereas the Vantage is broad, the wheelbase is not lengthy. The excellent news is that there is loads of stopping energy from the six-piston brake calipers on the entrance of the Vantage and the non-obligatory carbon disc brakes do not overheat in a rush. The eight velocity transmission flips by means of the gears rapidly with out being jarring, and it is mounted on the rear axle to assist get near that splendid 50:50 weight stability.

We left the roof up on the Vantage Coupe for fairly some time, together with for a stretch of freeway. Whereas a coupe will likely be quieter within the cabin, it is no Mazda MX-5 when it comes to noise. I used to be capable of chat with my passenger and overlook we had a delicate prime, and the sound system sounded nice – that is normally a difficulty in a two-seater as sound would not have room to maneuver, however the damping impact of the roof little question helps.

In normal setting, there’s nonetheless a sports activities automotive really feel to the suspension over lumps and bumps, and we love that Aston hasn’t despatched the roadster too delicate and compromised the texture. The dampers are variable, however by no means plush. The experience goes from agency to the precise firmness you need for a spirited drive by means of the countryside to get essentially the most accuracy out of the steering, and all the best way as much as race monitor. Talking of steering, the extent of finesse and suggestions is across the degree of BMW in its prime, which is to say it is glorious with out changing into tiresome on a long term.

Stepping into corners, the Vantage Roadster enthusiastically locks into the road you need and holds on, even if you wish to get to a race-track degree of G power. Nevertheless, the rear finish is not fairly as steady at that type of tempo, regardless of the slick restricted slip differential, because it tries to take care of the torque and horsepower with a brief wheelbase. That is not fairly the criticism it could sound like, although – seize the Vantage Roadster by the scruff of the neck, and it turns into a thrillingly brutal sports activities automotive. Sooner or later, it may want the driving force to know precisely what they’re doing to make use of it.

Energy is mainly obtainable on a regular basis. There is not any having to plan an overtake as you’ll be able to sit and cruise in consolation behind a sluggish automotive, then drop the hammer and be previous the second a protected alternative comes up. We not often obtained the pedal to the ground, although, as a result of there’s simply that a lot energy on faucet.

Essentially the most fascinating time of the drive got here on a bit of highway I dearly love. It is like a decent British nation highway by means of a canyon full with second-gear bends, sudden elevation modifications, and reducing radius corners. It is also not a highway I’d sometimes select to throw a supercar down as a result of highway floor and floor clearance, however the Vantage Roadster ate all of it up joyfully. By then, we had the highest down and had been loving the aggressive sound of that V8 because it labored its approach up and down the gears and rev vary.

Verdict & Pricing: Select Your Personal Journey – Sartorial, Aggressive, Or Joyful

Appears to be like-wise, Aston Martin Vantage defies the concept of a automotive as jewellery. It is extra like a Saville Row suite that may be dressed up or dressed down. It will look good and make you look good, whether or not you are getting out and in of it in a meticulously tailor-made outfit at a Monaco resort, or slipping into Walgreens in worn denims and a tee shirt. Simply be sure that your sun shades sport is on level, because it turns so many heads on the highway.

Efficiency-wise, it is a powerhouse that does not compromise its engineering to grow to be a convertible. The seems to be do not overshadow its velocity and talent on a backroad. Briefly, the Aston Martin Vantage Roadster is as fairly as it’s satisfying to drive, whether or not it is somebody that wishes to look good and go quick once they’re within the temper, or look good and takes their driving critically.

We do not have a stable value on the 2026 Vantage Roadster but, however we’re anticipating between $200,000 and $230,000, depending on the tariff situation when it drops. As a worth proposition at that degree, the Vantage Roadster is an entire bundle. It seems to be great, it is extra snug than any supercar we are able to consider, and it is as quick as hell and worthy of some monitor days.