Aston launches Vantage Roadster
Matches the Coupe's performance
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Aston Martin will unveil the V8 Vantage Roadster -- not the Volante -- at the 2006 Los Angeles Auto Show on Wednesday 29 November.
Aston Martin chief Dr Ulrich Bez said: “The V8 Vantage Roadster is a pure sports car, a car that heightens the senses and provides a dynamically thrilling driving experience.
“The Vantage Roadster adds to the unbeatable thrill of open air motoring and by combining engineering excellence, technological innovation and physical perfection, will ensure every journey is one to remember.”
AM described the Vantage Roadster as "perfectly proportioned, with a low purposeful stance, the Vantage Roadster is uncompromisingly modern yet also incorporates classic Aston Martin design cues. The elegant lines are fused with traditional craftsmanship and striking 21st century style, with an interior hand-trimmed and finished in the finest quality genuine materials."
It'll be built at Aston Martin’s headquarters at Gaydon.
Design
According to AM, the Roadster's design is "elegant and uncompromising, a single fluid form with characteristic attention to detail, both inside and out, representing the open sports car in its purest form."
AM continues: "The Vantage Roadster represents the latest evolution of Aston Martin's synthesis of craft and technology. From the beautifully hand stitched leather seats to the hand-finished bodies, to the ultra-modern Aston Martin V8 engine, hand-assembled at a dedicated, high-technology facility in Cologne, Germany, the Vantage Roadster is an exclusive, advanced and uniquely desirable sports car.
"The three-layer fabric hood gives a taut, aggressive appearance when closed and when folded, the flow from front to rear is smooth and elegant, enhanced by the leather speed humps that create a unique transition between interior and exterior. Even in convertible form the Roadster retains the critically acclaimed design of the Vantage Coupe. The hood is stowed neatly beneath the rear tonneau cover and is either opened or closed at the press of a button located on the centre console, in just 18 seconds, and at speeds of up to 30mph with no manual intervention required.
"Offered with an imaginative combination of different leathers, contemporary fabrics and aluminium, Vantage Roadster customers will have an extensive choice of body and trim colours from which to choose."
Performance
The Roadster sits on Aston's bonded aluminium VH (Vertical Horizontal) architecture, as do all today's Astons apart from the oldest model in the portfolio, the Vanquish S. Adding to this structure, materials such as lightweight alloys, magnesium and advanced composites are used for the body, to help lower weight and increase rigidity.
Despite the additional mechanism associated with the Vantage Roadster’s convertible roof and the additional body stiffness, Aston Martin’s engineering team have ensured only a minimal weight increase to preserve the agile and sporting characteristics of the V8 Vantage Coupe. At just 4.38 metres long, Vantage Roadster remains not only the smallest model in the Aston Martin range but also one of the leanest cars in its class.
Aston has tweaked the engine, so the Vantage Roadster matches the Coupe's performance, with 60mph achieved in 4.9 seconds and a Vmax of 175mph.
Vantage Roadster will be available with two transmission alternatives from launch. Offered as standard is the fast-shifting, six-speed Graziano conventional stick-shift manual gearbox. This is joined by Aston Martin's new Sportshift automated manual transmission – an ultra-quick system that provides the driver with heightened precision via fingertip control of gear changes using paddles to progress smoothly and swiftly through the ratios.
Deliveries of the V8 Vantage Roadster are expected to commence during quarter two 2007, with prices to be confirmed at a later date.
"Wowee wow wow! I like!!"
That is pure automotive porn.
And its so nice to see a drop-top that looks good with the hood up as well.
Apparently they used the Roadster name to emphasise the sporty nature of the car.
Volante will still be used on the larger GT models...
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