The Aston Martin Vantage F1 Edition. Photography courtesy Aston Martin. With Aston Martin celebrating their return to Formula 1 for the first time in over 60 years (also supplying the new safety car in the process), it was only a matter of time before we saw an homage of sorts. With a well-established platform already existing in the two-door V8 Vantage, Aston Martin has released a boisterous evolution: the “F1 Edition”.
With aerodynamic upgrades as far as the eye can see, some very blatant F1 badging, a sparkling satin green paint job, and some 21″ satin black wheels, the new package wears its heart on its sleeve. The same 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 sits beneath that clamshell bonnet but now produces 393kW (an 18kW increase over the standard Vantage), and the eight-speed gearbox has been tuned for snappier shifts.
Out on the road, the F1 Edition is not quite the lunatic it looks. With the adaptive dampers on the softest setting, it can be a relatively humble, pliant road car. Of course, with so much power on tap, the F1 can also be blistering when it wants to, but considering the aerodynamic fanfare, performance isn’t a giant leap above the standard Vantage.
In many ways, the F1 Edition is an atypical Aston. The marque is usually known for handsome, understated styling, but the F1 lets its hair down and has a boogie. It won’t be for everyone, but those who get it will be rewarded with one of the most exciting packages to wear the iconic wings.
Tasting Notes:
- Exquisite-sounding V8 engine
- Striking silhouette
- A visually hypnotic satin green paint job
- Theatrical bodywork
- Well-balanced adaptive damping
Needs Ripening:
- The lack of Apple CarPlay on a luxury vehicle causes some head-scratching
- “F1” badges might look a tad naff for some
- Too many buttons make for a fussy control panel
- Some might want more rawness for a body that screams “track car”
Carpark credentials:
Swan doors make curb clearances a breeze. Cameras, mirrors and sensors are well-calibrated, so parallel parking is perfection. However, the combination of precious paintwork, excessive aero and one of the most prestigious badges in the world means that a trip to Bunnings could induce anxiety.
The second glance:
We experienced a good dose of “jaw on the floor”, “pursed lips” and “the blatant finger point”.
If this car was a person:
BBBB: British, Braun, Beauty and Boastful. Tom Hardy, after a pint, in a loud suit with a bit of ink showing.
Fact Box
Price: $325,000 plus on-road costs
0-100 km/h: 3.6 seconds
Top speed: 314 km/h
Available: Now from dealerships
