DRIVEN + VIDEO: Does Aston Martin's All-new Vantage Unseat The MIGHTY Porsche 911?

I try not to beat a dead horse but I think I have to make it clear in certain cases that it takes quite a bit to get a rise out of me — at least as it relates to vehicles. I don't think I am jaded, really.

In the grand touring and sports car world, I just adore Aston Martins. While their reliability is notoriously...British...the reality is that the mix of luxury, comfort and driving dynamics just do it for me. Two thumbs up from Agent00R.

There's just one thing: I haven't driven the new-age Astons. This will change next week as I am taking delivery of the all-new DB11 Volante.

What I am really looking forward to, however, is the all-new Vantage. That's because the last-gen V12 Vantage S was one of my favorite driving experiences ever. That's a pretty bold statement to make after driving various Ferraris, Lamborghinis, McLarens and the impressive Lexus LFA.

Having said that, our friends at Autocar have taken a rather vibrant Vantage out for a spin and give us the lowdown on what it's really like. See what they have to say, below.


This is the new Aston Martin Vantage, the latest model in Aston's resurgence. It's a brawny two-seat sports car with an aluminium substructure, and a 4.0-litre, twin-turbocharged AMG V8 engine under the hood that powers the rear wheels.

If that, plus the 50:50 weight distribution, sounds like a pretty sweet handling set-up, you should see how the Vantage smokes its tyres around the Portimao race circuit. But it's a roadgoing sports car, too, so we've tested it thoroughly on decent roads as well as on track. Plus we take a look deep under its skin, in the most in-depth Vantage video online.

Aston wants it to be better than a Porsche 911? Can it manage that seemingly implausible feat?

MDarringer - 4/21/2018 6:08:57 PM

0 Boost

It all depends on what the parameter of "better" is.

TomM - 4/21/2018 7:32:14 PM

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Sorry - but Porsche is simply too ubiquitous to be a true exotic

Aston is a class above a Porsche - so better is irrelevant

MDarringer - 4/21/2018 7:55:43 PM

-3 Boost

#illogical reasoning

TomM - 4/22/2018 10:33:42 AM

0 Boost

Yes - that is indeed what YOU have

My reasoning is perfectly logical - YOU do not compare Toyotas to Rolls Royces as well - because they are from different classes.

And Aston is a true Exotic - Porsche is a mass market purveyor. YOU may compare their performance - and you can probably get similar performance from a Camaro - or Properly equipped - but Aston remains a Class above Porsche - many classes above a GM or FORD - even well above a TVR = so Better remains irrelevant

MDarringer - 4/22/2018 10:57:09 AM

-3 Boost

When illogical people are outed and they lose, they double down. Lather, rinse, repeat.

dstampfer - 4/23/2018 9:49:07 AM

+2 Boost

The road version in the video (black with yellow underbelly) is gorgeous. However, there's something about the leading edge of the hood which is more obvious on the yellow car that has a little bit of dare I say Tesla 3 in it.... I want to see some grill there but instead I see flat front...

zlives - 4/23/2018 6:47:09 PM

+2 Boost

i always liked the AMs but i would never cross shop with the 911, maybe more of a comparison between the merc GTR maybe? AM's kinda do their own thing and look good doing it.

mini22 - 4/24/2018 1:33:25 PM

+1 Boost

Actually-A Porsche is really a unique product. Point being it simply is a practical, mass produced exotic. Most exotics are limited production and tend to lean towards the impractical side of things. Porsche breaks this mold. OK-I expect push back on this. I'm sure then the next statement will be if it is mass produced and practical it no longer can be defined as an exotic. However being that a lot of their vehicles have the straight line performance as well as handling and cornering of an exotic I think that is where Porsche should be pigeon holed. In fact if you back 50 or 60 years that has always been the philosophy of Porsche. "performance with practicality". Saying this I would still personally prefer the Vantage. I like it's looks and its engineering. Also it's not a Porsche. While a Porsche is an exotic it is not a "rare" exotic. The Aston is always going to be this as is a Lotus Evora 400.