Aston Martin Vantage Roadster 13 | 02 | 2020

ASTON MARTIN HAS lifted the roof on extending the Vantage line-up by introducing a Roadster version. Joining the regular coupe and the hardcore AMR in the range, the new Vantage Roadster is available to order now, with prices starting at £126,950; that’s £12,100 more than the hard-top Vantage. First deliveries are scheduled for Spring, following its public unveiling at the Geneva Motor Show next month. (Related: Aston Martin reveals DBX SUV)

Powered by the same Mercedes-AMG-sourced 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 as the coupe, developing 503bhp and 685Nm of torque, the Roadster scampers from 0-62mph in 3.8secs; that’s just 0.2s slower than the coupe. Aston says the soft-top will accelerate on to a max of 190mph. Power is sent to the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic gearbox, which features paddle-shifters for manual control. (Related: 715bhp DBS Superleggera Volante)

Tipping the scales 60kg heavier than the coupe, simply because of additional strengthening measures, the Roadster also has one of the fastest roofs on the market. The fabric roof supported by the Z-shaped structure folds away into in a compartment ahead of the boot in just 7.0secs. Aston claims its the fastest automatic convertible roof of any car on sale at the moment. Worth highlighting here that the boot loses 200-litres of stowage space to accommodate the roof. (Related: All-electric 602bhp Aston Martin Rapide E)

The Roadster retains the three Aston drive modes — Sport, Sport+ and Track — as found on the coupe, but they’ve been retuned specifically for the Roadster. Also carried over from the Coupe is the electronic rear differential, dynamic torque vectoring and adaptive damping. But given the fact the Roadster has lost its roof, it gets its own bespoke chassis set-up.

Related: Aston Martin SUV starts testing

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Jim McGill