What’s in a roof? Some car's characters remain intact -- even grow -- when the upper section is lopped off. Consider the Chevy Corvette, Porsche 911 or 3-Series BMWs, for example. They look great in either form -- hard or soft top. With other cars, the result is equal to castration (we’re thinking about rides like the otherwise fun and fun-to-look-at Mini Cooper and Audi TT).
And now, there’s a new performance car to evaluate on this basis: the Aston Martin V8 (no hyphen, thank you) Vantage Roadster. Following the 2006 Coupe, the 2008 convertible (it has glass windows, which technically makes it a “roadster” in name only) is a logical follow-up to sustain interest in the market closer to $100,000 than $200,000. We dare not suggest Aston is slumming it with this $126,400 ragtop, but they have realized plenty of decent refined sporting cars are sold around the six-figure threshold. The company reckoned it could compete in a broader market, though still among prestige players.
Hyphen or no, roadster or convertible, it’s time to contemplate the finer details. We evaluated the car based on its cumulative luxury and practicality, relative to its peers. 50 points are possible in each category for a possible perfect score of 100. Read on to discover our results…
The luxury ride
If performance isn’t the strong suit of any Aston Martin, something is dreadfully wrong. Admittedly, some models along the way have delivered less than spectacular numbers. We’re pleased to report the V8 Vantage Roadster performs well. It can lurch from 0 to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds and achieve a top speed of 175, according to the factory (repeated tests can’t quite seem to match the quoted acceleration numbers, though -- 5.2 or so to 60 might be more accurate). That makes it a strong contender against many rivals in its class, and even against a few premium cars you might not otherwise compare. While it may only have eight cylinders in its 4.3-liter powerplant, it doesn’t sound totally unlike V12 Astons with its 380 horsepower on full boil, peaking at 7,000 rpm. That’s a nice consolation, since the V8’s 302 lb-ft of torque doesn’t shine until after about 4,000 rpm (peak is 5,000), no matter how you work the six-speed manual or six-speed paddle-shift manumatic. We feel there’s more potential in this engine, and it would be great to see it realized.Any decent convertible is going to feature extra structural bracing to combat the inherent flex of a roofless car. Aston added about 150 pounds worth, all told, and the 3,800-pound car handles better for it. Though no lightweight, the Roadster is said to rival the Coupe in rigidity. That seems to be the case, but it takes a lot of effort to really throw the Roadster through switchbacks or around the track. It can do it with reasonable composure and deliver reasonable feedback riding on its standard 18-inch wheels (19s are optional), but it’s out of its element far sooner than, say, a Porsche 911. Keeping you on the road and pointed forward as much as possible, the V8 Vantage Roadster features computerized aids like Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Emergency Brake Assist (EBA), and Positive Torque Control (PTC).
Inside the leather-fortified cabin, the controls mostly function the way you’d expect after plopping down this kind of money. The visual reaction, however, quickly confirms you didn’t spring for the DB9 or DBS. Every now and then, the presentation treads dangerously on the verge of a budget look. Honestly, the dash would feel just as at home in a $50,000 European sedan as it would in the $126,000 Aston Martin.
The verdict
Call it credible, not incredible. The Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster will perhaps woo a few buyers who were contemplating cars from Mercedes or BMW. It will not, however, steal any sales from the DB9 or DBS, even with the attraction of topless driving.Luxury score: 41
The practical ride
Ford’s recent sale of Aston Martin seems to be mostly a positive thus far. Management remains in place, and they’ve proven they can steer the ship. They’ve also proven they don’t want to drastically change course. Again, that sounds great to us. We also think reliability will continue to improve, since that benchmark has been established within the corporation and at large in the industry. The V8 Vantage Coupe and Roadster underwent thousands of miles of testing -- so we’re told -- from tracks in Germany and Italy to extreme weather conditions in Dubai and Sweden. Presumably, it should manage the rigors of metropolitan and suburban North America easily enough.Despite less-than-thrilling appearances as the eye scans the cabin, it is an acceptable place for two and a couple of (very) small soft-sided bags for weekend getaways. And before you ask, its usefulness as transport to and from the country club largely depends on the size of your golf bag. Is it less than five cubic feet? Because that’s all the Roadster’s boot holds. Hmm, a pity, that. May we suggest the putting green? It’s really a matter of aesthetic necessity, you see. The powered soft top, with a heated glass rear window, disappears nicely under a flush panel, but this cuts into usable trunk space. In the end, it does lend a much cleaner look and is certainly the lesser of two evils.
For street and highway driving, the Roadster poses no challenge. It’s easy to drive as long as you’re looking ahead -- or to the side when the soft top is raised. Though it somewhat preserves the roofline, the design has massive blind spots. That won’t be fun in multi-lane traffic. At least you won’t constantly be pulling over to refuel the 21-gallon tank. EPA ratings for the Roadster are 13 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway; so runs of over 300 miles are possible, provided you exercise at least some restraint with the throttle.
The verdict
Cars in this class aren’t hallmarks of practicality, though it’s been proven to be (almost) possible elsewhere or at least to a higher degree. As a daily driver, the Aston Martin V8 Vantage is reliable enough for the challenge. We just envision a lot of compromise when it comes to transporting a passenger, or anything greater in size than a pack of gum.Practicality score: 33
and the total is…
An automaker must be keenly aware of its realm, casting the widest net possible without alienating buyers. The expansion of Aston Martin into a broader market with the V8 Vantage seems to have been well calculated overall, and offering a convertible was also logical. As a result, the V8 Vantage Roadster is not a grand slam, but at least a ground-rule double. This car has potential, and we’d like to see it explored to greater ends. The competitors in this class are anything but complacent, and we suspect even better things are yet to come for this model. We can’t wait.74/100
Resources:http://www.astonmartin.com/eng/thecars/v8vantageroadster
http://www.caranddriver.com/previews/13055/2008-aston-martin-v-8-vantage-roadster-driving-impressions-page2.html
0 comments:
Publicar un comentario