A Quantum-Leap Upgrade
Aston Martin says its highly revised 2025 Vantage is “engineered for real drivers.” In a race to create the most meaningless marketing tagline, that one is surely a top contender. Fortunately, the new Vantage itself transcends such silliness and delivers a stirring upgrade.
Notably, the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 supplied by Mercedes-AMG has been extensively revised to deliver a 24-percent increase in output, bringing it to a staggering 656 horsepower. That change is critical for the 2025 model year, as Aston Martin has discontinued the 690-hp Vantage V12.
The 2025 Aston Martin Vantage gets worthwhile upgrades elsewhere, too. Here’s a look.
V12 Performance from a V8
While some may mourn the loss of another V12 engine from the supercar realm, fret not about the 2025 Aston Martin Vantage going V8-only for the 2025 model. The Mercedes-AMG 4.0-liter V8 touts new turbos, revised camshaft profiles, “optimized compression ratios,” and improved cooling according to Aston Martin. We’re not sure what “optimized compression ratios” are, or why Aston Martin’s press writer thinks this engine has more than one, but we digress.
The engine’s 590 lb-ft. of peak torque is not only an 85 lb-ft. jump over the previous version of the engine but is also 25 higher than the discontinued Vantage V12. As before, the V8 car is certain to be a couple hundred pounds lighter than the V12 version, too. If you’re not getting excited about this new Aston Martin yet, take a moment to check your pulse.
Expect to Be Impressed
As before, all that torque twists through an eight-speed automatic transmission mounted at the rear of the car. Aston Martin says quicker shift times and a lower final-drive ratio to make the most of the newly juiced-up engine’s power. The company is being conservative with performance claims for the 2025 Vantage, including 0-60 in 3.5 seconds. Meanwhile, automotive media got that from the previous Vantage F1 Edition, which had 128 fewer ponies under the hood. So sure, this one should be quicker still.
A new Launch Control feature should make achieving such acceleration easy on track days. Launch Control uses the Vantage’s E-Diff (electronically controlled differential) and Electronic Stability Program’s slip control and engine torque management to feed as much torque as the rear tires can handle without slipping too much. The driver can even dial in more – or less – tire slip or even turn off traction control completely to send the rear tires up in smoke. Aston Martin reports a 202-mph top track speed.
While the Aston Martin Vantage’s high-horsepower capability sounds like hooning fun, be assured that Aston Martin also dialed up the car’s chassis capability to deal with the added zip. Redesigned crossmembers further strengthen the aluminum body structure, and the suspension’s electronically adaptive dampers boast a “500-percent increase in bandwidth of force distribution over previous generation hardware.” Translation: Expect to feel sharpened steering response during hard cornering.
Keeping Its Cool and Looking Good
As happens with internal combustion engines, the more power you squeeze from one, the more heat it must dissipate to the atmosphere through the radiator. That’s why the 2025 Vantage gets a restyled front end with a much larger grille than before. Aston Martin will have you know that the opening is exactly 38 percent larger than before and can swallow 29 percent more cooling air for said radiator. The new front bumper also contributes to the cooling cause with intakes flanking the grille.
A new “matrix” LED headlamp design features a new “light signature,” according to Aston Martin. The front fenders cover new 21-inch forged alloy wheels. The company also touts the return of the “iconic Aston Martin side strake,” a small piece of trim that bisects the redesigned front fender vents.
Extreme Makeover, Interior Edition
Aston Martin deserves an award for the 2025 Vantage cockpit. It’s all-new, with a dash and console that seem to bridge the automotive and aerospace realms. Gone is the previous model’s mishmash of themes and elements that seemed designed to distract. The new look appears ready for James Bond. Surely one of the many elegant piano-black switches on that wide console must be an ejector seat!
As is common these days, a single digital instrument display replaces the previous three-gauge cluster, and a single gear selector replaces the former pushbuttons. Upgraded, hand-stitched Bridge of Weir leather coddles the lucky occupants, and the Vantage gets a modern infotainment system with a large screen. Some physical switches remain for climate control settings, drive mode, and sport exhaust mode (as in turning the exhaust sound volume up or down, you know, to bug the neighbors).
Speaking of volume, while we’re sure the standard 11-speaker audio system sounds fine, the optional Bowers & Wilkins 1,170-watt, 15-speaker system might be just what you need to overpower the roaring exhaust. Aston Martin had not yet announced pricing for the 2025 Vantage, but a guess at something beyond the $172,000 start price of last year’s Vantage F1 Edition probably won’t be far off. Naturally, you’ll be able to personalize the new Vantage with plentiful options. A convertible should come later. We’re sold. How about you?
