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The V8 Vantage is one of the world’s most beautiful cars: elegant, yet with a controlled aggression; perfectly proportioned, with a low, purposeful stance; modern, yet incorporating classic Aston Martin design cues. A stunning example of design purity, the V8 Vantage is, above all, instantly recognisable as an Aston Martin.

The long, low bonnet line and two-seater cabin provide the perfect balance between beauty and sporting intent. The V8 Vantage sits low and close to the road, while the front and rear overhangs have been purposely minimised. The side profile forms a simple sweep, a curved line like a bow under tension, while the rear haunches are wide and muscular, like the flanks of a powerful animal.

From the outset, Aston Martin’s engineers and designers focused on reducing size and weight, as well as optimising weight distribution, to maximise agility. At just 4380 mm (172.5 inches) long, not only is the V8 Vantage the smallest model in the Aston Martin range, but it also benefits from the inherent agility that accompanies compact design and excellent weight distribution.

Craft and technology play a crucial role. Hand-finished body panels ensure a perfect fit, while an all-alloy underbody structure derived from aerospace manufacturing incorporates bonded aluminium extrusions and castings for superb rigidity and minimal weight. The large side panels are single, hand-finished, steel pressings, ensuring that the side and rear three-quarter views are especially clean, with a minimum of unsightly shut lines.

Inside, traditional craftsmanship is combined with 21st century technology. Hand-trimmed using the finest materials, the cabin places the driver at the heart of an authentic sports car. The two-seater cabin offers generous space, not just for driver and passenger, but for luggage too, making the V8 Vantage the perfect ally for a weekend away. The Coupe’s rear hatchback opens to reveal a substantial 300-litre (10.6 cu ft) luggage area, offering up to three times more space than some rivals, while the V8 Vantage Roadster’s 144-litre (5.1 cu ft) luggage capacity is also class-leading. A large fuel tank means that long stretches between refuelling are easy.

Starting an Aston Martin is a moment to savour. Sit behind the three-spoke steering wheel and set the multi-position, electrically adjustable seats. Feel the quality of the hand-stitched leather rim and sense the intuitive layout of the primary controls.

The driver’s first interaction with the powerful V8 engine is a blend of tradition and high technology, with a touch of theatre. The ignition is controlled by a stainless steel and glass ECU (Emotion Control Unit), designed to be as tactile and refined as a fine timepiece. The ECU is inserted into a special docking station set within the traditional clear glass starter button. Pressing the ECU fully into the starter button fires the engine. After pressing once again to stop the engine, the ECU rises slowly out of its slot within the button so that it can be removed.

The instrument pack is carefully crafted from aluminium and has a three-dimensional profile for easy reading. To maintain a clear, simple design, with the warning lights hidden behind the aluminium mesh faces, becoming visible only when illuminated. The central message displays use organic electroluminescence (OEL) a process pioneered by Aston Martin making them easier to read than conventional LCDs.

The V8 Vantage is hand-assembled and hand-finished. Only craftsmen can deliver the design details and level of finish that Aston Martin engineers and designers demand, creating a quality that is simply not possible in high-volume manufacture. Machines can stitch leather, for example, but they cannot do it with the same degree of care as experienced craftsmen.

The use of hand-crafted processes and finishing not only means painstaking attention to detail, inside and out, but also gives Aston Martin’s designers freedom to produce the perfect form, avoiding the unsightly solutions generated by the inflexibility of mass production. Mass-produced cars frequently need plastic finishers to hide awkward production line joins, but such cosmetic make-up is unnecessary at Aston Martin. For instance, the shut lines on the bonnet of the V8 Vantage run all the way to the front of the car without the need for a separate nose cone, creating a cleaner, crisper design. Hand-finished metal mesh grilles and trims are used instead of plastic alternatives, while the single aperture cuts for the headlamps in the front wings of the V8 Vantage could not be matched by any machine.

There is no rush with hand assembly; the over-riding concern is always quality. That is why all Aston Martins are built by hand, and it is why all the world’s finest luxury goods, from suits to watches, are still hand-made. When low volumes are desirable, and exclusivity is demanded, it is quite simply the only way to achieve the best finish. Integrity is a key cornerstone of Aston Martin and we believe that everything has to be right.

Click the Autocar logo below for a comprehensive review of the Aston Martin V8 Vantage.