Test Car Specifications
Model: 2022 Aston Martin Vantage F1 Edition
Price: From £159,500
Engine: 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol
Transmission: eight-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive
Power: 535hp
Torque: 685Nm
Emissions: 263g/km
Economy: 24.4mpg
0-62mph: 3.6 seconds
Top speed: 190mph
Boot space: 200 litres
Styling
Aston Martin's designers have certainly been busy with the F1 Edition, splattering badges here, there and everywhere before adding a massive stripe. But there's more to the F1 Edition than just its colour scheme (as cool as the green may be). The massive rear wing, for example, is there to push those rear wheels into the asphalt, while the aggressive front splitter is not just for show either. And there's more subtle stuff, including the black tail pipes and the model-specific alloy wheels.
Interior
The Vantage’s cabin is one of its weak spots, and the F1 Edition does little to improve it. Yes, you get some bright stripes down the new race seats, some F1 badges and Alcantara trim, but that’s about it. Aston Martin has done nothing about the clunky, aging infotainment system or the digital instrument display, which can be nigh on invisible when the sun shines on it – a particular issue in the Roadster. The new seats aren’t brilliant either, because although they hold you in place well, they aren’t particularly comfortable on long drives, robbing the Vantage of some of its GT car credentials.
Practicality
While Aston Martin may have tweaked the design of the Vantage's interior, the F1 Edition has exactly the same amount of space as the standard Vantage. That means while the coupe gets a 350-litre boot, putting it roughly on a par with a VW Polo for luggage space, the Roadster makes do with just 200 litres of carrying capacity. That said, the Vantage's interior is relatively roomy, so the two seats that exist have plenty of space and adjustability. There's a respectable amount of storage space too, although that clearly wasn't a massive priority for the Aston design team.
Performance
To create the F1 Edition, Aston Martin decked the Vantage out with a little more power, squeezing an extra 25hp from that 4.0-litre V8 engine. The glorious motor sends its 535hp might to the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic gearbox and an electronic rear differential, which helps to put all that power down. As a result, 0-62mph takes just 3.6 seconds in the Coupe, while the Roadster takes an extra tenth to manage the same feat. And while the Coupe tops out at 195mph, the Roadster will only manage 190mph. But both get the same fabulous V8 rumble and the same fuel economy, returning 24.3mpg on the official test, although we'd challenge anyone to achieve that in the real world. The lure of that power is just too tempting.
Ride & Handling
As well as squeezing more power from the engine, Aston Martin has built the F1 Edition to corner better, so the company claims there's more body control than before. And it's true that the Vantage barely rolls at all in corners, and while the steering wheel is unconventionally shaped, it elicits a rapid response from the front end. There's lots of grip, too, and while the Vantage will slide if provoked, you do have to provoke it. Perhaps it doesn't feel as precise as a 911 GTS, but it also feels less brittle over lumps and bumps. Aston says it has worked hard to make the F1 Edition as comfortable as the standard car, and there's certainly a pliant feel to the suspension. It will thump over some bumps, of course, but it's generally tolerable.
Value
The Aston Martin Vantage was already expensive compared with a Porsche 911, but the F1 Edition Coupe is even pricier at £159,500. The Roadster, meanwhile, costs £166,500. Yes, that money pays for the styling and the power and the performance, but not an awful lot else. You don't get much in the way of extra toys. It's difficult to argue that the F1 Edition is great value for money, but if you want a slightly more hardcore version of the Vantage it's the only choice you can make.
Verdict
Although Aston Martin calls the F1 Edition a track car, we think its capable of more than just track days. Okay, it isn't a brilliant GT car in the way a DB11 might be, but it is a bona fide sports car that's brilliant on a Sunday morning blast. It's easily a match for the Porsche 911 GTS, even if it goes about its business in a slightly more bruising way, and though the Porsche is unquestionably great, the Aston is that bit more soulful and that bit better looking. We know where we'd spend our money.
