Aston Martin Wows with V8 Vantage Roadster

Sports car enthusiasts and Aston Martin aficionados have been waiting for the storied British luxury marque to launch the convertible version of its V8 Vantage Coupe for quite some time now. The long-awaited convertible version of the smallest and sportiest vehicle in the range has officially been announced, and will make its world debut at the LA auto show later this month.

Aston Martin Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Ulrich Bez said, "The V8 Vantage Roadster is a pure sports car, a car that heightens the senses and provides a dynamically thrilling driving experience. The Vantage Roadster adds to the unbeatable thrill of open air motoring and by combining engineering excellence, technological innovation and physical perfection, will ensure every journey is one to remember."

The V8 Vantage is a vehicle thats almost unanimously admired for its beautiful design, but nevertheless it proved to be a bit of a design challenge for adaptation to convertible. The drop-tops V-H modular aluminum chassis and body was modified in order to accommodate the roof mechanism and storage units, and was reengineered with more under-body braces to improve structural rigidity, a lesson it learned with the flexible DB9 Volante. With the roof up, the V8 Vantage roadster (not Volante as A-M roadsters are normally called) has a taut, aggressive look, but unlike the Coupe it has a proper trunk and a decklid. How much of a trunk, however, is debatable, as total volume is a mere 5.1 cubic feet, which is less than Mazdas MX-5.

The roof itself is comprised of a three-ply fabric that provides high levels of insulation from noise and exterior elements. When stowed, it hides under a uniquely styled tonneau cover that integrates a Porsche Speedster-like double-bubble tonneau cover thats partly trimmed in leather. The roof can be raised or lowered via a button on the center console in just 18 seconds, and while on the move at speeds of up to 30 mph. Rollover bars are integrated behind the seats, which spring up to prevent injury if the car turns over.

With only 176 lbs worth of weight gain, the V8 Vantage Roadster remains a force to be reckoned with on the road. Powered by the a Jaguar-derived 4.3-liter naturally aspirated V8 engine that makes 380 horsepower, its capable of hitting 60 mph in under 5.0 seconds, and has a top speed of 175 mph. Buyers have a choice between a traditional six-speed manual gearbox built by Graziano, or the new Sportshift six-speed sequential manual.

First deliveries of the new V8 Vantage Roadster are expected to take place next spring, with an estimated price tag of $110,000. It should give buyers of Jaguars XKR Convertible and Porsches 911 Carrera S Cabriolet something to think about. Aston predicts that it will sell between 5,500 - 6,000 V8 Vantages in total, half of which are predicted to be the new Roadster.