You may have noticed that some of the new cars these days sound slightly different, at least in the European Union. This is due to the European Union’s regulation (No. 540/2014) which aims to reduce noise levels of cars from the current 74 decibels to 68 decibels by 2026. It might not sound much of a downgrade but those 6 decibels make a difference. The transition period begins this year (2021), which means the loud exhaust settings in performance cars, at least those companies based in Europe must adhere to the regulations. This change is welcomed news for people living in urban environments, especially in cities like Torino, Paris or Barcelona where sound pollution is a major cause of disturbance. However, the downside of the regulation, at least to a car enthusiast like me, is that it hinders one of the biggest selling points of a sports car: the captivating sound of a powerful engine.
Some car brands such as Audi and BMW have already implemented soft limiters in some of their models, however, the British based Aston Martin hasn’t, at least for now.
Aston Martin provided me a stunning V6 Vantage in cosmos orange, which was delivered to Berlin, so that I could drive it to Amsterdam. It took the 290 km distance from Berlin to Hannover, which typically lasts 3 hours, just 45 minutes to complete, peaking at 305 km/h (190 mph). At 300 km/h the Vantage sounds and feels like the rocket of SpaceX Falcon 9. Forget listening to music or hearing your own thoughts, as every single cell in your body is focused on the German autobahn which is perfectly built for speeds like this. At these speeds, everything starts to look like tiny mosquitos flying by and one sort of enters the fabled “god mode” which Formula 1 drivers try to reach. Thanks to the uniqueness of German highways (the only highway system in the world without a speed limit) one can really push the limits of this orange beast and, boy can it take it. The Vantage was built for this and you feel it.
The Vantage is powered by a 4.0-litre engine made by Mercedes-Benz AMG, often hailed as the best engine in the world and I have to agree, this engine is incredible. However, the finishing touches made by the Aston Martin’s engineers take this magnificent engine to a whole new level. Producing an ear-shattering 503bhp (at 6500rpm) with an 8-speed automatic transmission which takes the Vantage from 0-100 km/h (0-60mph) in blistering 3.6 seconds. Costing around (well, the basic model) €137,000 ($155,000), the Vantage is more expensive than the benchmark of sports cars, the sublime Porsche 911.
Yes, it is true that the Vantage has an outdated interior and is covered by too much Alcantara, and that it needs a serious facelift with upgrades all over its electronics and has a surprisingly small petrol tank with a range of just 290 km (174 miles). However, there is something extraordinary about this Aston Martin, from its baritone idle engine noise to the stunning design with its impressive backside to its sensational agility that makes the Vantage standout from the competition. Once inside the Vantage, the ultra-low seat provides a sublime driving position supported by the unique Aston Martin square steering wheel. Aston Martin is not messing about when it comes to torque or power, which is why there is no cruise, dynamic or eco-driving modes, instead what you get is only Sport, Sport+ and Track driving modes, which sets the scene immediately.
Once arrived in the Netherlands after a dream-come-true road trip, I felt as if I had arrived from the Moon, equal parts ecstatic and exhausted. The next day I took the Vantage to the famous Zaandvoort race track. It was night time and the track was completely dark and reserved for the Vantage. The staff at the track received us with curiosity, clapping the arrival of this orange metal Godzilla while taking as many photos and videos as possible. For people who see super cars every day, the Vantage was a rare sight.
After taking multiple deep breaths, I started focusing on the task at hand. I floored the pedal; cue fire and fury! A cacophony of noise and an immense punch of power, torque and sledgehammer performance blasted away any lingering fatigue. The Vantage was like a Cheetah around the track. After 3 laps, I started to see past the power and that phenomenal sound and wondered how accomplished this Aston Martin really is. While it lacks the sophistication of McLaren 570S or the furious power of Mercedes-AMG GT, it made up by the sheer quality of driving. Remember that quirky squared steering wheel? Well it became very useful as one rarely needs to move hands on the steering wheel which makes this car such a buzz to drive. The Vantage was sublime around the track, predictable and fun, it would eat the corners and scream on the straights blasting the V6 sound around the entire town of Zandvoort.
I’ve driven many beautiful cars in my life, and cars like the Porsche 911 or the Bentley Continental turn some heads and command respect with their quality and beauty, but none, have made passerby’s shout out from pure awe. No matter where I went, the Vantage attracted attention from adults, children and the elderly alike. In one instance, we took it to a supercar gathering near Zaandvort, where it was the star of the show. Even the drivers in Jaguar F-pace’s, Ferrari’s, 911’s and AMG’s, would get out to take photographs.
Aston Martin has created a truly great vehicle, with its faults, however compared to the sleek interior and the timeless exterior of the magnificent 911, the Vantage is in another league when it comes to attention-grabbing. It definitely stands out. Yes the Vantage has an outdated interface, slow satnav, tacky interior, flimsy gear button arrangement and its indicators produce a sound that reminds me of a tiny koala stuck in the engine knocking on the hood, and compared to the 911 it lacks prime materials the German brands use, and the fantastic tech the McLaren has, but none of it matters once you start the engine and push the pedal to the medal. Aston Martin had a very tough couple of years but the troubled company has a new CEO and a new majority stakeholder (Lawrence Stroll), in the shape of a former Mercedes-Benz AMG CEO, Tobias Moers, who has the vision to make Aston Martin a serious competitor to Porsche and the Mercedes-AMG. The future is bright for the British legacy brand as it takes leaps towards the new century of auto manufacturing.
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