Looking at the 2011 Aston Martin Vantage

Added to the 2011 Aston Martin Vantage lineup is a brand new high-performance model – an entry-level car called the V8 Vantage, which has a convertible body style and has a 2 seat coupe, and the single coupe V12.

The fact that it’s a 2-seat coupe means that it doesn’t have rear seats like most models do. This is one of the things that make the car “exotic”.

The V8 Vantage has a 420 hp 4.7 liter engine that comes with either a 6 speed manual or automated transmission. The V12, on the other hand, has a 510 hp 5.9 liter engine that comes only in a 6 speed manual transmission.

Standard safety features for both models include ABS, side airbags, traction control, and an antiskid system. In addition to these, the V12 has a unique Sport button which adjusts the throttle response and exhaust tuning for performance driving.

More standard features include a navigation system, obstacle detection for the front and rear, and satellite radio. In addition to these, the V8 can optionally come with a Sports Pack, comprising of performance suspension and specific wheels.

Testing the V8 coupe with manual transmission and the Sports Pack, Aston Martin Vantage is pretty much on all fours with the average exotic car, with both getting a rating of 59.

It’s safe to say that the best asset of the Vantage is the suite-like interior, which nets a detail rating of 10 from the evaluators. Hand-crafted contrast stitching was used to put together the high-quality leather surfaces around the vehicle. Take that alongside the vehicle’s metal trimming and the interior is simply stunning.

If you accelerate with the Vantage, you would actually think you were running on a 420 hp supercar. Considering that its throttle response is amazing and how the manual transmission gives positive shift action, it’s not hard to understand why the acceleration of the model is gets a rating of 9.

Another proudly rated criterion of the Vantage is its functionality in steering, handling, and braking, which gets a rating of 9. This is because with the way the model carves corners, you wouldn’t think that body lean exists, especially when it’s running at fairly high speeds. You get firm control as well with the brakes, which deliver good stops. The only downside is that it feels a bit heavy when running on slower speeds.

For an entry-level coupe, the Vantage seems to be Aston Martin’s best in the lineup. As far as exotic models go, the base price is relatively cheap considering its quality. The added options, however, might be a bit too expensive. But considering its great power and design as a car, it’s one of the best within its class, with a rating of 7.