X

2012 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster (photos)

Beautiful roadster styling and an aggressive exhaust note do not entirely redeem the V8 Vantage, brought low by a balky transmission and cabin electronics.

Wayne Cunningham
Wayne Cunningham reviews cars and writes about automotive technology for CNET's Roadshow. Prior to the automotive beat, he covered spyware, Web building technologies, and computer hardware. He began covering technology and the Web in 1994 as an editor of The Net magazine.
Wayne Cunningham
35291430_OVR.jpg
1 of 20 Josh Miller/CNET
For a few years now, Aston Martin's GT cars have all been powered by V-12 engines and have been priced around the $200,000 mark. But the new V8 Vantage, available in Coupe and Roadster form, gives the company a more accessible model. The Coupe starts at $116,670 and the Roadster at $131,170. Still pricey, but a lot less than other models bearing the Aston Martin wings.
35291430_FT.jpg
2 of 20 Josh Miller/CNET
Styling remains excellent on the V8 Vantage Roadster, with classic proportions and a sleek profile.
35291430_SS05.JPG
3 of 20 Josh Miller/CNET
The new V-8 engine displaces 4.7 liters and makes 420 horsepower, but does not employ newer technologies such as direct injection.
35291430_SD.jpg
4 of 20 Josh Miller/CNET
The car, in classic roadster fashion, only seats two.
35291430_SS01.JPG
5 of 20 Josh Miller/CNET
The cloth convertible top rises at the touch of a button, or folds itself away underneath a tonneau cover behind the seats.
35291430_SS03.JPG
6 of 20 Josh Miller/CNET
Black brake calipers are a $1,020 option on the V8 Vantage Roadster.
35291430_SS07.JPG
7 of 20 Josh Miller/CNET
The fixed suspension is very rigid, as is the body, making the car handle very well in turns.
35291430_SS08.JPG
8 of 20 Josh Miller/CNET
The trunk does not offer much room, just enough for an overnight bag. Get ready to share luggage.
35291430_SS13.JPG
9 of 20 Josh Miller/CNET
The cabin is made up of natural materials, leather and metal, with few plastics in evidence.
35291430_INT.jpg
10 of 20 Josh Miller/CNET
Pop-up roll bars behind the seats protect the occupants' heads in a rollover.
35291430_SS10.JPG
11 of 20 Josh Miller/CNET
The steering wheel has a heavy feel, and delivers very precise control.
35291430_SS11.JPG
12 of 20 Josh Miller/CNET
The phone button activates a voice command system.
35291430_SS15.JPG
13 of 20 Josh Miller/CNET
This little knob at the bottom of the stack controls all of the car electronics, but not very well.
35291430_SS16.JPG
14 of 20 Josh Miller/CNET
Aston Martin went with a Garmin navigation system, which seems a bit cheap for a car priced well over $100,000.
35291430_SS18.JPG
15 of 20 Josh Miller/CNET
The Garmin system shows traffic data, but does not have 3D maps.
35291430_SS19.JPG
16 of 20 Josh Miller/CNET
Aston Martin went with monochrome menus on the Garmin system that more closely match the other displays in the car.
35291430_SS21.JPG
17 of 20 Josh Miller/CNET
The display shows the phone menu, with the address book, recent calls, and the Bluetooth connection menu.
35291430_SS22.JPG
18 of 20 Josh Miller/CNET
Although the V8 Vantage Roadster comes with iPod integration, it does not have Bluetooth audio streaming or onboard music storage.
35291430_SS23.JPG
19 of 20 Josh Miller/CNET
Browsing a music library is tedious on this small screen.
35291430_SS24.JPG
20 of 20 Josh Miller/CNET
Along with song data, this three-line display also shows climate control and phone information.

More Galleries

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
A houseplant

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera

20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
magic-v2-2024-foldable-1383

Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra

10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
Samsung Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum

23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
The Galaxy S24 Ultra in multiple colors

Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design

23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
img-0368.jpg

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About

18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?
img-1599-2.jpg

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

17 Photos