FIRST DRIVE: New 656bhp Aston Martin Vantage… Too Much Power?

[@TopGear]

Can Aston's new Vantage mix it with the best from Porsche? This, or a 911 Turbo?

[@thebvargaYT]

Looks, or durability?

[@rare6499]

@@thebvargaYTare you suggesting a Porsche is durable?

[@joe718gt4]

This, just looks more special and don't really care about lap times with either car

[@8eecf0d2]

911 Turbo, obviously.

[@flummi6966]

im german and id pick a vantage. for the looks, to be quirky different and it has style. ( and i would def hack the ECU to have something like 400 HP mode, bcs the rear axle cant take that much punishment IMHO)

[@SaintMecha]

I'm a big 911 fanboy, but... But just look at the Vantage, holy hell it's so beautiful.

[@certifiedRetard.]

That's complete copy of One 77 that was released 10 years ago, this car was in 007: Spectre

[@jonnnyren6245]

Love this comment so much 😁😁

[@js002003]

100%. i owned a porsche turbo, a gt4, a gts and the new vantage and gotta say the Aston was my fav. can't wait to get behind the wheel of the latest one when it comes out.

[@shogun2215]

There's nothing beautiful about it. The old DB9 and V8 Vantage were beautiful, this is hideous by comparison.

[@RandomVideosFirst]

wow, looks alot bigger, love every angle of it one 77 inspired front end

[@greebuh]

Rear haunches too.

[@AR-rs2dy]

Respect to Lawrence Stroll because he's bankrolled these improvements and told them in no uncertain terms that there can be no more excuses.

[@ConanSoo]

He’s building a company to truly compete with Ferrari - on and off track

[@all-caps3927]

@@ConanSoo they are still way way off Ferrari

[@Abercon25]

@@all-caps3927 if they could build their own engines and move away from being so AMG related - they’d achieve their own identity. That being said, I don’t know the business behind doing that.haha …so what do I know actually 😂

[@HumanButcher150]

@@all-caps3927maybe, but definitely not in terms of both exterior and interior design.

[@agreatd]

Except zdf lol

[@Phlytz]

That front end is really doing it for me. Stunning motor 😮‍💨

[@petrolhead1980]

There must be a LOT of AMG engineers screaming that he dedicates a whole segment to the traction control system lifted from the AMG GT R, and then names every manufacturer with similar tech except AMG 😂😂😂. This aside, Jethro is a legendary presenter and journalist. TG need way more content with him!

[@bonifacelukosi9580]

I was thinking the exact same thing 😂

[@muaawiyahkadwa1589]

Its not amgs system, aston developed its own system

[@samueljones3668]

​@@muaawiyahkadwa1589 I doubt that the system literally is the AMG system introduced in the GT R.

[@mcc5901]

TG used to entertain and Jethro, while highly competent, is no entertainer

[@petrolhead1980]

@@muaawiyahkadwa1589 , I can assure you that it most definitely is AMGs system for the most part but tweaked for the Aston. It works identically (becomes active by an extended press of the stability control button), and uses the exact same dash graphic from the facelift 2019 GT R. There is no way Aston would invest a huge sum into their own TCS when the AMG one used to control the same engine is readily available!

[@alessandromantovani7759]

Those body lines are unreal, such a outrageously good looking car from every angle.

[@mad636man]

Said no one ever.

[@mro9466]

Until you get arrested for the 3rd time in the same day for speeding 😂

[@user-cd9wc5bw3k]

@@mro9466wow they release quick wherever you’re at

[@tupo3855]

I definitely say cars have too much power

[@letsgetdoing]

Mustang owners....

[@krisi.2011]

​@tupo3855 nope we need 1000hp cars

[@ammaralfuzaia4933]

thank you very much for bringing jethro in here because i was waiting for evo to upload a video on this new car

[@dashaunwoody4612]

It’s really good to see Jethro for the review. The OGs Steve, Jethro, Henry, and Chris always do the best reviews. Please bring them back!

[@akshaysankarshana2405]

Yup. Jethro was being really boring, I was yawning half way into the video.

[@TheVillageIdiotUk]

Jethro B ! Good to see TG has finally hired someone who knows what he’s talking about.

[@deanjackson8368]

This dude is as cool as a cucumber isn't he? 4th gear powerslides and he's still calmly talking to the camera. I'd have been a sweaty mess and no doubt in the barriers if Iwas attempting the same! Excellent review and a lovely car. Aston have sorted the Vantage.

[@zakelwe]

He has been doing it for donkeys years since starting with Evo and having Dickie Meaden etc showing him the ropes. Top team back then.

[@xfg007]

Jethro is one of the best presenters

[@StevieV]

Super cool to have Jethro on TG. was stuck behind a paywall at motor trend for a while

[@BlackorOrange]

Go Jethro!! Good to see you on here. Quality work as always Mr B

[@Makrel94]

Lovely too see Jethro 😁👍

[@Heartsping98]

Yesss Jethro Is the new TG Magazine Yessss

[@deanchur]

8:50 "And there are even physical buttons for the major controls, praise the Lord" Dig at Ferrari there...but screw 'em, if Ferrari want to use capacitive crap they can get rightfully criticised for it.

[@MARCO-rq2ph]

But u would still buy a Ferrari over this crap xd

[@HumanButcher150]

@@MARCO-rq2phno, you wouldn’t. Especially if you have an eyesight at least better than -12 and you look at Ferrari designs compared to nearly all the others. 😁😁😁

[@MARCO-rq2ph]

@@HumanButcher150 i would take the 296 anyday ,Better loooking,more Power,less Weight,rear mid engine,comeone man Aston Martin Is failed like 5 years ago and Is getting pulled by stroll

[@slowpoke7888]

@@MARCO-rq2ph No way! I would have this over a Ferrari every time. Is Ferrari a better, more capable car? Absolutely. Would I get out of this Vantage wishing I had bought a Ferrari? Never. All the best bits of a Ferrari are just inaccessible on the road for an above average non-professional-racing-driver.

[@burtdemill9393]

@@MARCO-rq2ph 296 is TWICE the price. Roma is more of a competitor

[@jarredh451]

It's not about Miles per gallon... it's smiles per gallon

[@robvanderwilk7159]

Jethro - A1 class! Well done 👍. Gorgeous car. Love it

[@KensAlpaca]

More Jethro please. Back end (of the car) looks a mess but otherwise a big improvement.

[@delbroox]

Beautiful! They've done a great job it seems. Hopefully this new generation can really bring Aston Martin back

[@DjiCandi]

I wasn't sold on the previous one. This one!? Looks like an "Aston" and boy is it beautiful! TAKE MY MONEY...said my empty wallet.

[@BobbyAngmalaysia]

Everyone from old Evo team is epic. Chris, Jethro, Henry, Dan, Richard (Porter & Meaden) are all awesome

[@philippanaro3948]

absolutely beautiful car - now it has amazing power too - 10 out of 10

[@trevorphillips3922]

I haven’t watched yet but the answer must be “no”.

[@KaushikBala333]

Stunningly good looking this Aston. Making me smile every time I look at

[@1852live]

Those wheels are absolutely magnificent! 🔥 Love from Johannesburg, South Africa! 🇿🇦✌🏾

[@Random415510]

It looks better than a 911

[@PaulEmrick]

Jethro!!!! oh so glad to see you ripping around doing new test drives. Not going to lie a serious lack of top gear in my life now that they dont have any TV shows running. I guess i will just have to you tube it all now. I have everyone i know running top gear America on repeat since it came out on max in the hopes it may be resurected... Hint hint TG Jethro, Dax and Rob best 3some in a long long time. BRING IT BACK FOR ANOTHER SEASON PLEASE!!

[@ForWhatIsAMan]

By FAR the best looking Vantage yet

[@jhonatanjohnson7769]

And is the BASE model!!

[@ForWhatIsAMan]

@@jhonatanjohnson7769 true!

[@mattmanley7118]

One-77 cues for sure. Glad they didn’t change the rear of this Vantage too much from last generation. The whole bigger grille trend across the industry is 🤢 though. I get it though that engine has to stay cool. Beautiful though and menacing.

[@slowpoke7888]

Maybe you would be more suited to the all electric no grill tesla.

[@Marcello2005]

The bigger grill on the vantage looks so much better, and more Aston-esque.

[@akshaysankarshana2405]

@@Marcello2005 Yes, but in this case, its like BMW at the moment, where the grille is the first thing you see when you see the car, and its 🤮. Many older Astons (Early 2000s Vantage, 90s Vantage, DB9, DB9S, Rapide) have a grille that's probably just as big, but it is integrated stylistically to the front of the car that it looks beautiful, unlike this one, which is a bit "in the face".

[@akshaysankarshana2405]

True. Looks wayy better than the 2018-2023 Vantage, but nowhere near as beautiful as the 2006-2017 Vantage. That exaggerated rear spoiler is unnecessary in my opinion, and makes it even worse by putting a light bar on it. The front, while more beautiful than the previous Vantage, its a little hard to not remember a GR86/BRZ when you see it. The proportions and shapes, and especially the rear hips look great, but the rest of the styling features don't add to make it beautiful. This looks too aggressive to be called an Aston, if you ask me. It should be more simple, more beautiful.

[@Marcello2005]

@@akshaysankarshana2405 I do agree on the rear spoiler. Doesn’t need to be that prominent as it’s kind of a big transition from the body lines

[@ezcatch77]

Great to see you back reviewing Jethro ! Your reviews are the perfect mix of useable info and entertainment. Keep ‘em comin !! ❤️🏆

[@LeeWhite26]

Aston Martin really do make beautiful looking cars 😍

[@TheImperfectGuy]

Oh dear you got Jethro on the team now? well good to see him with some production resources for filming again

[@simonmorty8344]

Surely not a bad thing having Jethro on the team! Jethro is not only a great motoring journalist and driver, but he actually knows what he's talking about like Harris and catchpole. Rory on autotrader doing a great job too. However, compare this review to Carwow review on the same car. Matt's a great guy, a pretty good journalist, but when it comes to reviewing and driving the car, they are worlds apart! However, most of the internet audience are focused upon 1/4 mile times and 0 to 60 rather than the mechanical knowledge, emotion, and feeling of driving the car. Regarding the Aston. Definitely a step in the right direction. Wish it had a better gearbox but it looks wonderful inside/out and drives special.

[@UniverseSpeck]

So much better looking than the last one

[@vadersgoldfish]

Now that’s a review 👍🏻

[@IanRossDavies]

Good to see Jethro on here again 🙌

[@tropical7848]

Best looking Aston since the DB9. The One-77 was amazing too

[@Gamingwithod]

The power …… amazing. The front end I prefer the old one. It’s like they went back to the past. The shape below at the back still amazing but could have been better. Retro design with advanced technology🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@johnnyjohnson8928]

The daytime running lamps in the old one were very bad

[@niccolobagnaroli]

I like wayy more the previous model too, from every angle

[@lawts1240]

You must be the only person who does then. It was awful.

[@akshaysankarshana2405]

@@lawts1240 Lol, agreed. The 2006-2017 model is the most beautiful and best sounding modern Vantage ever (both 4.7L V8 and 5.9L V12 included), and this new one isn't anywhere near it. The previous 2018-2023 model is as ugly as it has ever been. To quote a person I heard on the internet, that previous Vantage "looks like a fish that's very surprised", and got even worse with all the other aero bits on it. This new one is better than that, but still, I'd have the old 2017 Vantage V12 S with the 7sp dogleg manual over any of this.

[@homiefizzle5260]

Damn this dude can drive!!

[@sixpotshot]

A.M. looks like to have finally arrived on the zone but it is still no replacement for an equivalent mid engined sports car. It is a fine balance between amazing looks now with substance and its mid engined competition. For many people a car that looks so amazing, a car that looks way much better than all its competitors and that on top of that finally has substance will just make the deal even if it will never handle like a mid engined machine. Shame the paddles on the steering column have been moved to the wrong place...Still Happy days A.M. better sales are coming.

[@jkawar4528]

Great (to me) driver’s review of what appears to be an all-new variant of a damn beautiful vehicle. Great to see Mr. Bovingdon on Top Gear.

[@superchargedsteve3411]

The engine and exhaust sound fantastic 👌 and it looks great inside and out. Honestly like the Aston Martin F1 team, I think Lawrence Stroll has done amazing things with the company and positive changes all around.

[@akshaysankarshana2405]

I personally am not a fan of the sound of this engine. It's just a characterless barking sound at low revs, and sounds disgusting at high revs, especially inside the cabin. In fact, to me, the sound inside the cabin is very obviously coming from a speaker, and the exhaust is really choked because, twin-turbos. German twin-turbo engines in general (except for the RS6's V10) are very characterless in sound, its not musical, just a noise. If you want some really good sounding NA V8 noises, have a listen to C7 Corvette's 6.2L V8, Audi RS4/RS5's 4.2L V8, Mercedes's C63/E63/AMG SLS's 6.2L V8, Aston Martin's 4.7L V8 from the early 2000s, Maserati Quattroporte/GranTurismo & Alfa Romeo 8C 4.7L V8, Porsche's 1st Gen Panamera 4.8L V8, Lexus LC500 5.0L V8.

[@Molloy1951]

I wish we had Chris Harris reviewing it.

[@spikespike1332]

Jethro best of top gear should have more of him

[@GeoMag27]

Mini One-77

[@danielayodele7350]

Jethro and TG moniker were the reasons why I decided to watch this review of the Aston Martin Vantage. He didn't disappoint and neither did 007's latest ride.

[@mikepaul396]

Finally it looks good now. 2017 was last of good year. too bad for the ones who bought 2018 - 2023. and now 30% more power as well

[@MediocreHero66]

This is the 'base' starting point for Vantage, so saying you want it to be a bit more aggressive in aesthetics, will surely happen in later variants? Previous gen one had the same treatment, so why wouldn't this? This is the most excited I have been about a Vantage for some time.

[@clubsobri]

Glad to see Jethro doing videos for TG again.

[@gturismo]

please keep Jethro as a frequent presenter!

[@bambammartin1556]

06 corvette z06- 200mph-505hp 24 vantage -202mph- 656hp Haven’t finished the video yet, but this has to the the result of a speed limiting, right? In addition, those wheels. Incredible.

[@Default-gf4zf]

No, speed limiting is a disgrace and fucking disgusting and unethical and disrespectful not to mention which what these cars cost and the ridiculous privilege of owning them, you're entitled to the whole thing

[@Siddharth_shivshankar]

Its a really a well built British Car but the problem is when you compare it with Porsche 911 turbo. Both were built with a totally different approach, these rivalry will never end.

[@burgundyexpress]

Nice to see a real journo on TG.

[@richardhedd3080]

This just screams out for a manual gearbox. Still I'd sale body parts for this one. Absolutely stunning.

[@serarthurdayne9490]

I had a beautiful Skyfall Silver 2021 Vantage. It was a great car and gorgeous. I don’t like what they’ve done to the front with the new version but everything else looks amazing. I’d have this over a 911 and most Ferraris any day.

[@tom7596]

i just bought the old version,IMHO front was better,more elegant,more distinguished

[@tom7596]

i also own McLaren 570s,of course very different animal...

[@akshaysankarshana2405]

You must've had your eyes removed when you had that car, my friend. Most of the internet unanimously agreed that it was the ugliest Vantage ever made. To quote someone that I heard from a podcast, "It looks like a fish that's very surprised, probably at how ugly it is.". This one is much better, but still nowhere near as beautiful or good-sounding as the 2006-2017 Vantage in V8 or V12 form. I'd rather have one of those than this BRZ lookalike.

[@MrSavage100]

Buy me this one please lol my dream car

[@dlj1285]

Well that is strange given that the previous gen is pretty much universally considered to be the ugly Vantage known to man.

[@js002003]

having driven new vantage and kept up with (and prob would have passed) Porsche turbos on canyon runs, I can't wait to get behind the wheel of this latest one.

[@omarr6021]

thank you Jethro ,,, this vantage is surely an upgrade from its predecessor look and performance wise however when compared with 2017 vantage GT v8 manual that was offered for about 116,000 $ i am not sure it looks better nor its more fun to drive there for double the price is not justified IMHO

[@SuperFish40]

The Vantage and a 911 turbo are fundamentally different cars. A Vantage will turn heads and a 911 will not. The Porsche is a nice car, but they're just everywhere. Theres something special about this vantage that a 911 will never achieve

[@qualm43]

The vantage always looks great. My favorite is still the 2009 V8 version.

[@akshaysankarshana2405]

Agreed, nothing beats the looks and noise of the 2009 V8 Vantage. The one before this looks really ugly: ugly by virtue of aggressive styling that it didn't need to have. This one is on the way to coming back on track in terms of its styling, but, no... still not looking as gorgeous and simple as the 2009 one, but wayy better than the previous gen.

[@joshknutson16]

Sooo much better looking than b4

[@Jamesfetterman33]

This car needs more recognition as in drag races vs other cars being featured on this page and carwow

[@kukysgod]

rear looks awesome, can't sadly say that about the front. Still a good looking car!

[@MrSavage100]

I want one this is my dream car unfortunately I’m disabled I’ll never own one but wow it’s beautiful

[@cardude1992]

Well done Aston Martin! It's a proper supercar. Only complaints are no manual stick option and fully digital guage cluster.

[@slowpoke7888]

Didn't Aston promise us they would always have a stick model?

[@studytime-qb9bx]

@@slowpoke7888I believe the vector was the six speed promise if I’m not mistaken.

[@akshaysankarshana2405]

@@slowpoke7888 Yup, like that ever happened on their low-end models.

[@BM-235]

Great review. Honestly can't see a 911 ever being knocked off the top rung. Porsche's genius is its ability to say one and sometimes two or three steps ahead of the competition.

[@gweflj]

McLaren’s are faster, have better steering, are lighter, etc.

[@avalanx]

Aston design with Merc engineering, it clearly works!

[@Arteolike]

Still holding out for a true 4 seater rapide replacement (Rapide has back seats that were way too small)

[@Rob-cv3vh]

Nicer looking than the DB12 IMHO, less fussy. But it's too boy racer at the moment. 5 colours of carbon and alcantara as the trim inlay options on the configurator and no veneers available. If I wanted a car like that I'd be looking at a GT3 Porsche or BMW's CS M cars. I'd like to see at least the option to have something that's more traditionally Aston.

[@DannyFR30]

They've looked at what is selling atm I guess. Least it isn't electric.

[@Michael-m2l8b]

What bit of the test was on the road? I must have blinked What’s it like at the shops?

[@paulbunyan9436]

I would love to see a side by side comparison with the Lexus LC 500...

[@akshaysankarshana2405]

This thing doesn't stand a chance to compete with that Lexus, be it in Luxury, Price, Looks, but even more so with Engine and Engine Sound. That 5.0L V8 is the best recent V8 I've heard in a long time. This German Fake Piped-In Characterless Groaning is nowhere near how musical that is. I'd honestly have the LC500 over this one, as a grand tourer, of course. For a sports car, I'd have the old 2009 Vantage. At least it looks and sounds great.

[@dlj1285]

@@akshaysankarshana2405lol, you have to be kidding

[@akshaysankarshana2405]

@@dlj1285 No I'm really not. The old (2006-2017) Vantage is the most beautiful version of that car I've ever seen. And all the engines its had also sounded really good: 4.3L V8, 4.7L V8, 5.9L V12. The V12 is my favourite of all of them because it came with a 7-Speed Dogleg Manual in 2017. That has to be THE BEST SPORTS CAR EVER MADE, at least for me it is.

[@dlj1285]

@@akshaysankarshana2405 On that we agree. A good bud of mine has a 2009 Vantage. Amazing. We obviously depart in thinking on this new car. I find it incredible, and it seems a bit silly to try and compare an LC to it. Different planets.

[@Cjmatthews87]

Love this shape Aston Martin style is just classy with a decent engine not a bad colour either.

[@robertcarr4172]

In a world with Evs... Thank you Lord for this gorgeous car wit ha gorgeous noise :)

[@encoreunefois1X]

Are there any plans for Aston to build their own engines?

[@TheImperfectGuy]

Yes the V12 they announced Only for the DB12 though but if history is any indication there will be a V12 vantage soon enough haha

[@urbanstrencan]

Aston Martin knocked out of the park 😊❤❤

[@philanimasuku4256]

Good to see Jethro

[@Mav86asian]

Put that 835HP new V12 in it, give it 4WD. And then we’re talking. Fastest Aston Vantage ever.

[@akshaysankarshana2405]

Shut up! That's the last thing I ever wanna see.

[@wessel82]

Great to see that the panel gap division is still winging it. The bonnet looks “great”😂

[@Lioncleggy]

What a fantastic sound

[@akshaysankarshana2405]

You definitely have never heard an engine before. Go listen to a base C7 Corvette 6.2L V8, or an Audi RS4 V8, or Aston's old 4.7L V8. All of those sound as amazing and musical as how terrible and characterless this one sounds. End of the day, its a German twin-turbo V8, so it's choked af from the outside, and so quiet on the inside that it needs speakers to pipe-in fake engine sound.

[@Saielb]

Reminds me of the old school vanquish

[@kkkkkooooobbbbbyyyyy]

Imagine jethro,Chris and Matt (carwow guy) be new top gear trio …. Or new car show together

[@Livlifetaistdeth]

That is a beautiful machine

[@mr-is2bf]

This , gt3 rs and merc amg gt my dream garage

[@bakkermaarten007]

The exterior is, in my opinion, up a notch as compared to the DB12. The DB12's front is just a bit too muscular, too wide, losing a bit of that typical DB elegance.

[@akshaysankarshana2405]

Agreed, te DB12 is too muscular and aggressive looking, but to me, so is this one. This is nowhere near as beautiful as the 2006-2017 Vantage, and looks way too aggressive in comparison. Ans same is the case with the DB cars after the DB9S. The DB11 was straight-up ugly and the DB12 is better, but not better enough to be as good as the DB9/Last Vanquish. Bring back Henrik Fisker, Aston, PLS!!

[@Ryder626]

Absolutely love the color

[@FrankBottazzo]

you absolute Jethro Bovingdon!

[@WayApp]

Sleek design, stylish ride.

[@urbanstrencan]

Still a proper gentleman's muscle car, as it should be. Is it downsized DB12 GT or proper 911, AMG GT competition 😊❤

[@gabrielbarcellos1036]

Até que enfim a Aston Martin acertou no design desse carro, só faltou uma dieta e oferecer o opcional de cambio manual

[@akshaysankarshana2405]

True. To me it still doesn't look beautiful enough and its still too aggressive, but it looks way better than the previous one (which has made me puke a lot), which means they're on the right track in terms of styling. It definitely needs to go on a diet, and definitely needs a manual, and, in my opinion, need not have more than 400-450 hp for the base version.

[@JohnStrange-q8r]

Is there any advVantage to buying one of these?

[@timbarker5135]

You keep going on about the weight but the Porsche 911 Turbo is 1640 kg if I remember rightly. So they are pretty much the same weight. Plus the Aston is way better looking!

[@CrissoDaG]

How u go from carbon seats to regular seats on the street

[@francisfowler4908]

I’ll buy one once I get a lot of money

[@andy.robinson]

It's got all the right ingredients for a bonkers fast sports/race car. Just a shame it's not getting the GT3 results this season to back it up.

[@Travel_Photography_Dude]

That colors hot!

[@Gotez-m7f]

it looks very nice

[@fantasyguru26]

More or less the same HP as a Corvette Z06. I've driven the latter its an insane amount of power. I'm digging the color. And that sound is music to the ears.

[@akshaysankarshana2405]

You've definitely not heard the old 2009 V8 Vantage with the 4.7L V8 and a good exhaust, that thing sounds phenomenal and musical, screaming at high rpms, growls at low rpms. To me, this V8 just makes "a noise", not music. Better than most other modern twin-turbo V8s, maybe, but still not music to my ears.

[@MrSavage100]

You must be minted lol buy me this car please

[@Sorezz]

Stunning looking car, very nice

[@seezyc158]

Nope. The last model was iconic - always looked like a ferocious prototype worthy of challenging the 911. The interior on this one is obviously miles ahead though.

[@cj41079]

Hello Jethro missed ya bud ❤

[@ramongonzalez9497]

Such a Masterpiece of a car.