V8 Vantage Roadster 4.3
V8 Vantage Roadster 4.3

V8 Vantage Roadster 4.3

(2006 - 2008)

MY2008

As the USA is the biggest overseas market for Aston Martin, so it has come as no surprise that the Los Angeles Motor Show in November 2006 was chosen to launch the Roadster version of the popular V8 Vantage. After a recent visit to the West Coast of the USA, I would imagine that a convertible Aston can be driven most if not all year round with the roof lowered. Strangely, the V8 Vantage Roadster was first glimpsed in the background shot of the AM design studio on a DVD available for short time in the UK in late 2003 from the British store, Marks & Spencer.

V8 Vantage Roadster 4.3

Even in the video, the twin leather covered ‘humps’ on the hard tonneau cover (not so dissimilar to those seen on the DB AR1) made it to production. The roof, a triple layered fabric type folded down totally flat; it could even be raised or lowered without manual assistance in 18 seconds at speeds of upto 30 mph, neat trick!

The rigidity of the Roadster was enhanced by the use of slightly thicker gauge aluminium within the platform and strengthening webs within the sills. This only added around 70 kg in weight over the closed V8 Vantage coupe. Whilst the stiffness of the Vantage was believed to be 27,000 Newton Meters per degree, the roadster was a very commendable 21,000. In comparison, the early DB9 Volante was, I understand 15,500 although this was improved upon as time passed. Production began in the second quarter of 2007 with an initial UK price of £92,147 for the manual, an £8,000 premium over the coupe.

The V8 Vantage Roadster with the 4.3 litre engine was only in production for a little over a year before the car was updated for the with the addition of the larger 4.7 litre engine.

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  • Body/Coachwork:
    • Two door convertible with 2+0 seating.
    • Extruded bonded aluminium VH body structure with aluminium, magnesium alloy, composite and steel body. Extruded aluminium door side impact protection beam.
    • Halogen front projector headlamps with integrated LED direction indicators. Xenon HID headlamps optional. LED rear lamps.
    • Heated, electrically adjusted door mirrors, powerfold (optional)
    • Reversing parking sensors
    • Heated rear screen, front screen heating (optional)
    • Automatically deployed roll-over bars
  • Interior:
    • Bridge of Weir full natural grain leather
    • Aluminium facia, Piano Black facia optional
    • Polished aluminium and painted alloy details, clear glass backlit starter button
    • Ten direction electrically controlled front seats (including height adjustment) with optional seat heaters. Memory optional
    • Organic electroluminescent (OEL) in white
    • CFC free automatic climate control
    • Driver and front passenger dual-stage airbags and side airbags
    • Audio system with radio and 6 CD autochanger, 160W standard, optional 700W with 5.1 surround sound Dolby Pro Logic II
    • Integrated GSM telephone optional, Bluetooth optional
    • Full colour DVD satellite navigation system, (optional).
    • Alarm system interacting with the central locking system and PATS immobiliser system.
  • Engine:
    • Front mid-mounted aluminium alloy V8. Four overhead camshafts with four valves per cylinder, Engine number prefix AM05/. Dry sump pressurised lubrication
    • Bore 89 mm. Stroke 86 mm. Capacity 4280cc. Compression ratio 11.3:1
    • Max power 380 bhp @ 7000rpm
    • Max torque 302 lb/ft @ 5000rpm
    • Fuel System & Ignition System: Multi-point sequential electronic fuel injection system.
    • Stainless steel exhaust system with by-pass valve , 2 three-way catalytic converters
  • Transmission:
    • Graziano Six speed manual transaxle with integrated shifter bellcrank system (cable operated), single plate clutch.
    • Sportshift automated manual optional
    • Alloy torque tube with carbon fibre propeller shaft
    • Final Drive, limited slip differential. Ratio 3.909:1
  • Steering:
    • ZF Rack and pinion , power assisted, 3.0 turns, lock-to-lock
    • Column tilt and reach adjustments
  • Wheels and tyres:
    • Front – Aston Martin aluminium 10 spoke alloy wheels, 8.5J x 18, optional 7 spoke lightweight 8.5J x 19″
    • Rear – Aston Martin aluminium 10 spoke alloy wheels, 9.5J x 18, optional 7 spoke lightweight 9.5J x 19″
    • Tyres front Bridgestone RE050 235/45 ZR 18 (94Y), optional Bridgestone RE050 235/40 ZR 19 (92Y), optional sport Pirelli P-Zero Corsa 245/40 ZR 19 (98Y) XL
    • Tyres rear – Bridgestone RE050 235/45 ZR 18 (94Y), optimal Bridgestone RE050 275/35 ZR 19 (96Y), optional sport Pirelli P-Zero Corsa 285/35 ZR 19 (103Y) XL
  • Suspension:
    • Front:    Forged aluminium independent double wishbone incorporating anti-dive geometry. Coil over aluminium, monotube dampers
    • Rear:     Forged aluminium independent double wishbone incorporating longitudinal control arms, coil over aluminium monotube dampers
    • Dynamic Stability Control (DSC).
  • Brakes:
    • Front: 355 mm ventilated and grooved steel discs with four piston monoblock calipers
    • Rear: 330 mm ventilated and grooved steel discs with four piston monoblock calipers. Independent handbrake callipers on rear disc
    • Alternative brake caliper finish – black, red , silver
    • Anti Lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Emergency Brake Assist (EBA), Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Traction Control (TCS) & Positive Torque Control (PTC).
  • Dimensions:
    • Length: 4380mm
    • Width: 1865mm excluding wing mirrors
    • Height: 1265mm
    • Wheelbase: 2600mm
    • Front Track: 1570 mm
    • Rear Track: 1564 mm
    • Kerb Weight: 1710 kg
    • Boot Volume 144 litres
  • Performance:
    • Top Speed: 175mph
    • Acceleration: 0-62mph, 5.0 seconds
    • CO2 Emissions: 358 g/km
  • Price at launch:
    • 2007, £92,147