aston martin unveils vantage roadster with world's fastest convertible roof

aston martin has revealed the new vantage roadster, a drop-top variant of its vantage sports car. with the same twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 as the coupe, the model also boasts the world’s fastest fully automatic convertible roof.

images courtesy of aston martin

the aston martin vantage roadster delivers 503 hp (375 kw) and 505 pound-feet (685 nm) of torque. it features the carmaker’s eight-speed ZF automatic transmission that aids a 0-60 mph (96 kmh) sprint of 3.7 seconds. a choice of sport, sport + and track chassis modes are tuned specifically for the roadster, giving the driver control of its dynamic character and behaviour.

the vantage roadster mirrors the coupe’s exceptional tactility with a tautly tailored fabric hood with a compact powered z-fold mechanism. the world’s fastest full operating cycle of any automatic automotive convertible system, it is lowered in 6.7 or raised in 6.8 seconds at speeds of up to 31 mph (50kmh). as well, to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the vantage nameplate, the brand offers the iconic ‘vane’ grille on both coupe and roadster as an alternative to the track-inspired ‘hunter’ grille.

‘open-top aston martins are always firm favourites with our customers, so it’s very exciting to introduce the vantage roadster,’ says aston martin president and chief executive officer, dr andy palmer. ‘for many, driving with the roof down is the true definition of the sports car experience as it truly brings your senses to life. vantage has always delivered the purest of thrills, but in roadster form that adrenaline rush is set to go to the next level.’

‘convertible sports cars are often seen as compromised when compared to their coupe equivalents,’ matt becker, aston martin chief engineer, adds. ‘but the vantage roadster remains absolutely dedicated true to its mission of delivering precise, agile and expressive handling dynamics combined with stonking straight-line performance. and of course, there’s the added dimension of driving a great-sounding sports car with the roof down.’