The 2019 Aston Martin Vantage breaks cover

Words by Ajinkya Nair

Aston Martin has finally revealed the all-new 2019 Vantage. The long awaited model has gone through significant visual changes. But for a car that looks like this, there must be a powertrain which doesn’t disappoint. And there isn’t. The 2019 Vantage gets a 4-litre V8 developed by AMG, which gets the unique Aston Martin tuning, ensuring that the sound matches the performance and looks. This is linked to an eight-speed automatic which is mounted in the rear for better weight distribution. Aston Martin says it’s been tweaked to deliver both smoother shifts when you’re cruising, and also short, crisp gear changes when the Vantage is being pushed hard. The cutting edge tech in the 2019 Vantage is on another level. This is the first Aston Martin to get a torque-vectoring e-differential which they say “can go from fully open to 100 percent locked in a matter of milliseconds”. The 2019 model has shed some weight, and boasts of a perfectly balanced 50:50 front-to-rear distribution. Aston’s head of vehicle tuning Matt Becker says the amount of roll per lateral G has been reduced a significant amount from the previous Vantage, thanks to the electronic chassis system. This results in a sharper handling Vantage. Aston Martin has worked with Pirelli exclusively for the tires on the Vantage. They wrap around exquisite 20-inch silver Y-spoke wheels. Braking is handled by two-piece ventilated steel brakes with 400mm disks.

Aston Martin says that this is inspired by their track focused predator, the Vulcan, but there are hints of DB11 design cues packed with more aggression. This is clearly an Aston Martin and there is no mistaking that. Very few car companies are so consistent in producing good looking cars, and the 2019 Vantage is no different.  Starting with the front, it has an angry sloping hood, with a considerably larger grille compared to previous Aston Martin cars. The slim LED headlamps complement the fascia quite perfectly. The stunner, however, are the super-thin tail lights which hugs the rear from left to right. The result is a superbly well sculpted car which, honestly, is predictable when it comes to Aston Martins.

Even the inside gets a makeover. The familiar “waterfall” console is now eliminated, and is succeeded by a more focused layout in a triangular cluster. A full leather, and carbon fiber trim is optional. The 2019 Vantage has some pretty big shoes to fill, as the current Vantage is the single, most successful car in their portfolio. Nevertheless, it does look promising.