The new Vantage is the latest and much anticipated new sports car to wear the esteemed Aston Martin badge.

It has plenty to live up to because previous generation Vantages were hugely iconic and the outgoing Vantage was the single most successful model in Aston Martin’s history.

Why is it important?

Car makers say ‘new’ and ‘all-new’ all the time, but you’d almost always find a sat-nav you’ve seen elsewhere, or some dials shared with the model’s predecessor.

But when Aston says ‘new’, it means it, because barely an inch of the car has been carried over from the previous Vantage. That also means an entirely fresh look – and mighty delicious it is too.

The all-new Vantage bears unique relevance because it is the second of seven new Aston Martins set to arrive before 2023, following the DB11. It is also the first Aston Martin to use the brand’s new E-Diff electronic rear differential.

Is it quick?

Yep. Under the bonnet is a new twin-turbo four-litre V8 engine, chucking out a power output of 503bhp and up to 687Nm of torque.

Linked to an eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox, it can race up to 0-62mph in 3.6 seconds, with a 195mph top speed.

Tipping the scales at 1,530kg – almost the same as its key rival the Porsche 911 – it’s lighter than the previous Vantage, which, paired with the power upgrade, makes it much quicker than the model it replaces.

It looks pretty smart eh?

Indeed. Styling for the new Vantage was influenced by the DB10 – a car specially developed for 2015’s James Bond flick Spectre.

As the name might suggest, only ten DB10s were ever built, but that car was always intended to act as a show piece and a design study for future Astons and we’re now seeing characteristics from that model filter through to Astons people can actually buy.

The Vantage’s clamshell bonnet, slim LED headlamps and gaping grille are all clear similarities with the DB10.

This fresh look sees boss Andy Palmer keep his promise that all future Aston Martins would have their own “identity”, and won’t adopt the “Russian doll styling” approach seen by the likes of Audi and BMW.

And it’s aerodynamic too?

Very. The design team behind the Vantage will be glad you noticed that, because they spent a lot of time fine-tuning its smooth flow.

A fully integrated front splitter directs airflow underneath the car, where a system of fences channel cooling air where it is needed, and also ensures the rear diffuser is fed with clean airflow.

The design of the diffuser creates an area of low pressure air, while simultaneously preventing turbulence generated by the rear wheels from disrupting the flow of air exiting centrally from beneath the rear of the car.

Bet it costs a fair bit?

Think six figures then keep going; asking prices for the new Vantage start at £120,900, which is around £25,000 more than the Porsche 911 GTS it rivals.

Running the thing won’t be cheap either, with a combined fuel consumption of 26.8mpg and CO2 emissions of 245g/km.

When can I have one?

From the second quarter of 2018.

What next?

You can count on convertible and more performance-focused versions of the Vantage to follow shortly after launch.

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