Aston claims 0-62mph in just 3.5 seconds – seriously impressive for a rear wheel-drive car – with the same 202mph top speed. With the hood down the Roadster’s weight distribution is 49:51 but with it up that switches to a theoretically perfect 50:50: the same as the coupe.
Inside, the Roadster benefits from almost the same gorgeous cabin and fine driving position as its sibling, with the ergonomics and infotainment both hugely improved compared with its predecessor. Except in this case Aston has listened to its critics and increased the font sizes for the digitised instruments, making them far easier to read than in the new coupe. All new Vantages can have these dials retro fitted via a software update, if desired.
There’s a small area for luggage behind the Aston’s front seats – the Vantage is a strict two-seater, unlike the Roma or 911 – while the boot has shrunk to 200 litres, but is still bigger than most rivals. The fuel tank is unchanged at 78 litres, giving a theoretical touring range of 395 miles at 23.0mpg combined.
On the move, the Roadster feels instantly alert and very rapid indeed, no matter which of its five drive modes you select out of Wet, Sport, Sport Plus, Track and Individual. Its ride is firm, bordering on stiff on rougher surfaces like those you’d find more readily back here in the UK, the launch event having taken place on the mostly glass-smooth Alpine roads of Austria.
