Aston Martin’s Vantage sports car has been refreshed for the 2025 model year with fresh exterior design, a revised interior and a big jump in performance.
The current Vantage came onto the market in 2018 as a 2019 model. How the larger DB12, the new Vantage is more of a major update to the current generation than a fundamental redesign. Nevertheless, the changes made are extensive. Only the coupe was shown, but a new Vantage Roadster is also in the pipeline.
Under the hood is the same Mercedes-Benz AMG V8 engine found in the current Vantage, as well as the DB12. The engine is a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged unit and produces 656 hp, which is down from the DB12’s 671 hp and a significant jump over the current Vantage’s 503 hp. Torque is 590 lb-ft.
Aston Martin’s own engineers made extensive improvements to the engine to increase performance levels, including modifying the cam profiles and compression ratios, installing larger turbochargers and optimizing the cooling systems.
Drive is via an 8-speed automatic transmission and an electronic differential to the rear wheels. The gearbox, which comes from ZF, is the same as in the current Vantage, although the new car has a shortened final drive ratio to allow for stronger acceleration when shifting into gear. The switching speeds have also been increased. A manual transmission is no longer available, meaning Aston Martin has ditched the third pedal.
A set of new Pilot Sport S 5 tires from Michelin help put the power to the ground. The 275/35 front and 325/30 rear tires feature a bespoke compound developed with Aston Martin specifically for the new Vantage. They are wrapped around 21-inch forged alloys as standard. Cast iron brake rotors are standard, but buyers can opt for carbon ceramic brake rotors, which not only increase braking performance but also save nearly 60 pounds of weight. The car’s dry weight is 3,538 pounds.
With Launch Control, owners can expect 0-60 mph acceleration in 3.4 seconds. The top speed is stated to be 202 miles per hour.
For improved handling, engineers have reworked the current Vantage’s bonded aluminum structure to give the new car improved stiffness and rigidity. Measures taken included a new front body cross member, which is also located further back to increase the rigidity of the double wishbone front suspension mounting points. There’s also a stiffer engine cross member, new underbody designs and stronger side reinforcement between the rear suspension towers.
Electronic systems also improve handling. The stability control system tracks the vehicle’s movements and acceleration along six axes, while separate systems for traction control, brake-based torque vectoring and power steering also help keep the vehicle stable in corners and on straights.
As with the DB12, the interior of the new Vantage represents a major step forward in terms of design and quality compared to the interior of the car it replaces. Instead of the strange shapes of the old interior, the new design features clean, uninterrupted lines as well as digital screens for the instrument cluster and infotainment hub. There are also high-end features, either standard or available, such as “Bridge of Weir” leather, a 15-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system and an Aston Martin-developed infotainment system with a much better user interface than the previous Mercedes-based one Aston Martin system used. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also included.
Externally the changes are not as serious as internally. The most significant departure from the current car is the new front end with headlights and vertical vents inspired by the design of the One-77 supercar. The traditional Aston Martin side stripes also return on the sides.
Aston Martin will begin production of the new Vantage shortly, with deliveries starting in the second quarter and pricing to be announced closer to launch. The car is also the basis of the latest Vantage GT3 racing car, which will represent Aston Martin in a number of top GT racing series, including the FIA World Endurance Championship and the IMSA SportsCar Championship.
