Awkwardly rear-set gearlever aside (this
ergonomic failing has always been a bugbear in manual Vantage models), the N430
is a tactile machine to operate. One benefit of an ageing platform is the car’s
relative simplicity, which manifests itself most pleasingly in the form of feel
some hydraulic power-assisted steering. Its consistent weight and transparent
feel give you an immediate connection with the car. Coupled to the aggressive
(fixed, passive) suspension, this makes for a direct, unapologetically sporting
ride and level of response.
The
cabin is less impressive, and is beginning to feel aged
The naturally aspirated 4.7-litre V8 never
sounds less than purposeful, but is beginning to feel its age. It’s smooth and
tractable enough, but i t lacks the outright punch and immediacy of its
price-point rivals. Consequently you need to work it hard to deliver the level of
performance you expect for the money and from the brand, but i t’s fun to wind
that quirky anti -clockwise tacho needle round the dial, and you never tire of
the soaring exhaust note, which really hollers in Sport mode.
N430
stitching in the leather seats: no mistaking what you're sitting in
Handling has always been a Vantage forte,
and this remains true of theN430. The balance really is something special, with
uncanny stability and neutrality, plenty of grip and tenacious traction. You
can really lean on it along a challenging road, feeling for front-end grip,
then chasing the throttle without fear of it biting back. Of course, if you
agitate the car on turn-in you can make it slide, but i t’s always done at your
bidding, so you feel con dent and in control. The brakes are strong and
progressive, so you have plenty of confidence in the N430’s stopping power,
too. I don’t get to try the car on track (well, apart from the race-prepared
version I drove in this year’sN24), but prior experience tells me it’ll feel at
home on a circuit, though will ultimately want for a bit more power and torque
to really make the most of that perfectly balanced chassis at track speeds.
Exhaust
almost as loud as the paint
On sale now at a starting price of $153,600
(and available in both Coupe and Roadster forms), the N430 is perhaps less
money than you might expect from a car with such a powerful and appealing
image. There’s no question it’s feeling its age, but rather like the
Lamborghini Gallardo in the last years of its life, the Vantage still manages
to feel relevant. Ironically, as the years pass this means the driving
experience is becoming increasingly unusual, trading the digital feel of its
contemporary rivals for an analogue character that appeals to the purist. So while
this means it can’t really compete objectively with fresher, faster rivals, the
fact it has more charm than a sub-GT3 911 and more class than the equivalent
F-type means it retains a high level of desirability. With the all-new AMG
infused replacement some way off, the current Vantage still has an important
role to play. With the N430, Aston is taking the right steps to ensure it does
so.
