My GT7 Log: Know Your Legends - The Aston Martin DB5

Let's get to know about the legendary cars that are hard to get in Gran Turismo 7's Legend Cars not only because of their extreme rarity that appears once in a blue moon but also their outrageous price tag that takes almost forever to save one. Today, let's get to know about the Aston Martin DB5, the legendary Bond car.

Served as the successor of the DB4, the DB5 is powered by a 4.0L six-cylinder engine generating 282 bhp (210 kW) of power and a top speed of 145 mph (233 km/h). It was mated with a ZF five-speed transmission (except for some of the very first DB5s). This car became the hallmark of the partnership between Aston Martin and the 007 franchise ever since the DB5 appeared in Goldfinger. In addition, the DB5 appeared in numerous Bond movies such as Goldeneye, Casino Royale, Skyfall, Spectre, and recently, No Time to Die.

The DB5 will do a quick lap around the Goodwood Motor Circuit but how fast will it go? Let's roll the tape.

It did it in 1:39.905. Mission accomplished for the Bond car.

What other hard-to-get legendary cars should I drive next? Stay tuned for more.

Aston Martin DBX

Aston Martin joins the ranks of Lamborghini, Porsche, and Maserati of having an SUV in their super sporty lineup with the first-ever DBX and while some fans are sulking about why a British sports car maker decided to build an SUV, much to the annoyance of many, there's something about Aston Martin's first-ever SUV and why it matters to speedo boys who are prepared to spend over 160 grand for this.

The Aston Martin DBX is the result of when the British sports car maker succumbs to the crossover apocalypse and with crossovers treated like Hollywood superheroes nowadays, this so-called jacked-up supercar wants to take on the likes of the Lamborghini Urus any way it can.

Starting with the design, the DBX shares nothing in common with the concept car as seen in the 2015 Geneva Motor Show. Why? Because Aston Martin wanted different because while the 2015 concept car looks good, they just don't have the ways and means of turning it into a production model so they took the name of that concept car while designing the SUV from scratch. As the teasers went by, the world was shocked to see that the production-spec DBX was way more different than the concept model.

Still, on the styling, the DBX is a bit more like a jacked-up Vantage in Macan-esque silhouette and you can really tell from the questions triggered by those who had their first sight on this jacked-up supercar. 

On the inside, it's anything but basic for this five-seater with some room in the back for some goods waiting to be delivered to specific clients, although I'm still puzzled over the Mercedes-derived tech platooned on the dashboard. Despite that, its practicality is well orchestrated for the DBX and looks like this crossover's on the roll for using it to bring VIPs to the country club and more.

The DBX runs on an AMG-derived 4.0L V8 BiTurbo engine mated to a 9-speed automatic gearbox that works like any other. With a power output of 542BHP of power and 700Nm of torque, it's capable of going from 0-60mph in 4.3 seconds and a top speed of 181mph. At that rate, it's annoyingly slower than the Urus.

On the dynamics side, the DBX, despite being a crossover, behaves like an Aston Martin and when you get a hold of it, you can really fall in love with the way it goes. Not bad. That's because it's got active all-wheel drive with variable torque distribution and height-adjustable air suspension, so you can take it anywhere if you like as long as you don't get stuck in the mud by accident because if you do, you don't really know what happens next.

On the road, it's a pleasure to drive because of its very sophisticated suspension setup that most luxury crossovers adorned but tuned for sportiness, and off the road, it's almost as good as the other guys and like a rugby player, it's not afraid to get itself dirty.

The DBX may have sparked tons of questions but by the way, it behaves, looks like jealousy's in the air because, like it or not, this is the sporty crossover that will get us warmed up for more.

Photo: Aston Martin

Aston Martin Vantage Roadster

The current-generation Aston Martin Vantage goes open-top with the new Roadster and it promises to deliver the same driving thrills as experienced in the hardtop but with the roof opened as well as a different face no one saw it coming. Let's investigate.

Priced at almost 130 grand, the Vantage Roadster is the open-top version of Aston's baby sportscar that gives the Porsche 911 a run for its money and while it features the same bits and bobs as seen in the hardtop, the Roadster is a different experience because of the face. Why? Because the Vantage Roadster can be offered with the "vane" grille in honor of the Vantage nameplate's 7-decade tenure and you can have one in the coupe too if you like just to give the impression of the Bond car from Spectre. 

To be honest, that new grille shows what the new Vantage is truly made for rather than the Vulcan-inspired "hunter" grille that is already cool but fuzzy.

Like the coupe, the Vantage Roadster is powered by the AMG-derived 4.0L V8 BiTurbo engine mated to an 8-speed AT that produces 510PS of power and 685Nm of torque. Because it's heavier than the coupe, the Roadster can go from 0-60mph in 3.7 seconds and onwards to 190mph. That's surprisingly slower than today's Ferrari Portofino but when compared to a 911 Carrera S Cabriolet, it's anybody's guess.

Despite being heavier than its hardtop equivalent, the Vantage Roadster is still a blast to drive on the road and on the track. It still comes with Dynamic Torque Vectoring and an Electronic Rear Differential, making life more thrilling and enjoyable for any speedo boy trying to take advantage of it.

With the Roadster variant added, you now have two different Vantage points to choose from.

Photo: Aston Martin

Forza Horizon 4: Assault Wolf

The Aston Martin Vulcan is the track-only masterpiece that pushes beyond the limits of what an Aston Martin should be. Combining the right blend of mind-provoking beauty as expected on any Aston Martin as well as its ferocious track-honed performance inspired from its motorsport involvement, it's all about the elevation increasing as the revs keep going.



The Vulcan is a monster of a track weapon that bends all the laws of physics to satisfy every gentleman racer for himself but those who want to push the Vulcan to further heights went to a more extreme Vulcan AMR Pro.



Unveiled at the 2017 Goodwood Festival of Speed, the AMR Pro is an extreme aerodynamic package offered on the already-extreme Vulcan track-only hypercar. While the 7.0L V12 engine that powers it remains untouched, the AMR Pro upgrade package features numerous aerodynamic upgrades front and back, top to bottom, and the reworked rear wing. Such upgrades resulted to an improved downforce of a massive 4,000Nm as well as improved traction, steering response and front-end grip.



Even with aerodynamic upgrades, it feels just like the Vulcan I know years ago because such extreme performance is just too extreme to handle, even in a middle of a Horizon Winter madness, unless if you're skilled enough to wield the wolf among yourselves. The normal Vulcan is basically the shooting wolf where the elevation increases as the bullet is fired. The AMR PRO, on the other hand, is more than just being the shooting wolf. It's an assault wolf made for one purpose; NO CHANCE OF SURVIVING.



Putting this "No Chance of Surviving" theory to the test, I've made a special track just to demonstrate just how assaulting this Vulcan AMR Pro, packed with twisty mountain roads and a tight dirt climax that feels like your butt's become a midnight snack for wolves. With my specially made track set, it's time to say "Ready, Go! Assault Wolf!" No Chance of Surviving.

That was the most intense experiment I've ever done to this track monster but I managed to prove the theory wrong because I survived the wolf hunt.



Like I said before, the normal Vulcan is  the shooting wolf where the elevation increases as the bullet is fired, while the AMR PRO is the assault wolf made for one purpose; NO CHANCE OF SURVIVING.



If you managed to survived driving one, congratulations. Welcome to The Squad.

Dismissed.

Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Volante vs. McLaren 720S Spider

Last year, Aston Martin brought back the DBS as the balls-out, amped-up version of the luxurious DB11 that blends comfort and performance at the same pace and with the new Volante version, the DBS gets even better-looking with the roof down, meaning there's plenty of cruising to do with the most powerful open-top Aston Martin ever made.

2020 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Volante

The 247,500 Pound Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Volante delivers the same excitement as the hardtop equivalent, only this time, with the top opened. Unlike the DB11 Volante, which is available only with the AMG-derived 4.0L V8 Twin Turbo engine, the new DBS Volante carries the same 725PS 5.2L V12 Twin Turbo engine as the hardtop equivalent and while it weighs slightly more than the hardtop equivalent, it still goes from 0-60mph in three and a half seconds and onwards to 211mph, which is surprisingly impressive in a car that blows its Vanquish Volante predecessor in hard water.

Unlike the coupe, the DBS Volante features numerous aerodynamic tweaks that differ from its hardtop equivalent because of the clear difference what happens when the roof is opened or closed and with that, the downforce is about 3kg less than the coupe but despite that, it is still as savage and lairy the coupe of course. It maybe a super grand tourer, it maybe quiet, and it maybe as classy as a woman in track suit doing zero gravity stuff but it is heavenly addicting to drive. You'll find plenty of reasons to enjoy the new open-top DBS any time you want.

The DBS Superleggera Volante is still a slice of heaven to drive even with the roof open but while this is all about heavenly shades of glory, the DBS Volante should better watch its back because in about a second, it might get yanked by a certain joker out of nowhere and there's one...

2019 McLaren 720S Spider

This is the new 720S Spider, the open-top version offers the same thrills as the hardtop equivalent, only with the roof opened. Although it is priced ten grand cheaper than the DBS, the 720S Spider will surely toy around the DBS for fun.

It carries the same 720PS 4.0L V8 Twin Turbo engine as the coupe but thanks to McLaren's skillful engineering, the weight has only gone up to 4%, meaning it can still do 0-60mph in almost three seconds and onwards to 212mph, just like its coupe equivalent.

Although different than the coupe in terms of performance and looks, the 720S Spider still behaves like a proper open-top hypercar. Still comes with the same high-tech wizardry as well, making the 720S Spider more of a toy rather than a car. It's like an iPhone for milky jokers but aside from being a claws-out, gung-ho, high-tech supercar, the 720S Spider can act like a grand tourer on its own right one switch at a time and like the coupe, the 720S Spider is an all-rounder, meaning it has all the speed, the comfort, the drift, and the space fit for a sportscar like this.

It's easy to fall in love with the joker than a little slice of heaven even though both of these cars were deemed to be challenging to get off the starting line. The DBS is very exciting to look at for a Super Grand Tourer, the 720S is all about a mentalist that delivers all the right stuff to entertain wealthy owners into driving one. These two British open-top sportscars may be in a different class but they can deliver the best driving experience drivers can't get enough of.

Photo: Aston Martin/McLaren Automotive

Forza Horizon 4: Vanquishing Zagato

Last week, I got my hands on the new Aston Martin DBS Superleggera and I'm starting to fall in love with the newest and the ultimate grand tourer Aston Martin ever made especially with its "showtime" undertones that gave me the jellies. Now, another Aston Martin has entered the spotlight and this time, it's the turn of its predecessor, only fancier because it's the Zagato-fied Aston Martin Vanquish.



Here's the X-file on that prize car I got from the Spring Horizon Playlist of this update; the Vanquish Zagato is one of the super rare breeds made by the partnership between Aston Martin and Zagato. Unveiled at the Concourse d'Elegance event at Lake Como, this limited-to-99-unit collectors' model is the fifth car emerged from the ongoing partnership that spans back from the DB4 GT Zagato, the barn find that you got since you first moved to Horizon UK. Although based on the Vanquish S underneath, the 6.0L V12 engine has been uprooted to produce 600PS of power, which allowed the Vanquish Zagato to get from 0-60mph in three and a half seconds, and it features a more comfort-oriented suspension setup for a more GT feel unlike most ultra-expensive sportscars.

Apart from the Coupe, the Vanquish Zagato has spawned various variants such as the open-top Volante, the Speedster, and the Shooting Brake. Combining the "family" of four Vanquish Zagato models, all 325 cars have been sold before being shown to the world.



Back in Colorado in the first Horizon adventure, I drove the Vanquish and I'm already fell in love with how much of a grand tourer this car made and in the Zagato-fied version, there's still so much things to do to catch up on the ultimate grand tourer that was now replaced by the now-ultimate grand tourer that I drove last week. The body and the engine may look and feel different from the Vanquish it was based on but it's still a Vanquish. Nothing else comes close to the real thing.



Such X-file deserves a little tryout and with that, I went to Fortune Island to unleash this V12 beauty in the dead of the night. Roll the tape.





What we learned this series update is that while the DBS Superleggera can easily eclipse the full majesty of the Vanquish Zagato in terms of performance, it's the true beauty that easily outshine the successor apart. The Vanquish truly is one of the all-time greats in Aston Martin history and the Zagato version really is the fond farewell to that car before the revival of the DBS took over the Vanquish's reins. Needless to say, I really want Aston Martin to keep making grand tourers like this and while they're hot on the heels on their first-ever crossover, their grand touring heritage their sportscars made will forever be grateful to the world over. That is the bottom line. Good bye.

Forza Horizon 4: Beautiful is Absolute

Riddle me this: I'm a British sportscar, I have twelve cylinders, and my name doesn't mean Dragon Ball Super. Who am I?



If your answer to this riddle is the Aston Martin DBS Superleggera, then you are exactly right because it is one and since I won this car from the recent playlist of this FH4 update, it might be the ideal moment to talk about my new prize.



So, what's it all about the DBS Superleggera? Hailed as the replacement to the Vanquish and based on the DB11, the newly reborn Aston Martin DBS Superleggera is the ultimate grand tourer designed from the ground up. Underneath its muscular shape and seductive curves, the DBS Superleggera carries the same 5.0L V12 Twin Turbo engine from the DB11 but it's been uprooted to produce 725PS of power and 900Nm of torque while mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox, it can get from 0-60mph in three and a half seconds and onwards to 211mph. It even comes with torque vectoring, a mechanical LSD, and F1-inspired aerodynamics to make it more track-honed while retaining its grand tourer status.



Sure, the DBS doesn't have the most sophisticated interior ever made, the automatic gearbox is less responsive at high speeds, and the V12 engine doesn't roar like a Ferrari 812 Superfast but when you let this ultimate grand tourer act like a loose cannon, it feels alive, intimidating, and downright enjoyable to get yourself behind the wheel but when you're driving in your bladder, things get really messy and you could be in pinch. The struggle is real but since I've been longing to get my hands on the new DBS, it's time to do some science to see how exciting the new DBS is but first...





Well, like they said. It's your show, your time. IT'S SHOWTIME! Anyway, enough about that because with the DBS got peppered with the heavenly perfume of its sexiness, it's time to do some science but since every single part of Britain's occupied a few moments ago and with some busy schedule ahead at Fortune Island, I went to LEGO valley to see what's like to experience the new Aston halo car of the moment.



Yes, I know, the Aston Martin would not behave as what the drivers want, especially in icy conditions, but since this is its show, its time, might as well make the most out of it. Roll the tape.





And there you have it. The Aston Martin DBS Superleggera is by far the most exciting Aston Martin I have ever driven in the game. Although the performance doesn't match supercar standards, the DBS really made drivers drive some more because this car will never stop its driver until he or she is fully satisfied with their experience.

Speaking of which, I want to keep driving the DBS for more because it's starting to be my new personal favorite Aston at the moment. Until then, keep on driving!

Aston Martin DBS Superleggera

The DBS name that was used on the Bond car that rolled over on Casino Royale is back and although it's no longer the Bond car we all adorned in the past, the all-new DBS Superlegerra from Aston Martin is basically a DB11 dances to the grace of the Milady with the swing of an axe and some grenade rounds to make it ready for action all day, all night long.

2019 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera

Hailed as the replacement to the once majestic Vanquish S, the DBS Superleggera is the newest flagship sportscar that carries an ultra-expensive pricetag of 225,000 Pounds, which is about as expensive as a fast Italian supercar, so while the pricing is worth a break in the deep pockets, what do you really get for your six-figure pricetag sportscar?

For starters, it looks a lot like a DB11 from top to bottom but for the DBS, they made it even more aggressive and sexier that makes it look like it's ready to get into the masquerade ball while carrying a big axe and a grenade launcher, which sounds illegal but it's all about the hearts of the drivers this DBS can steal from. On the inside, it's still looks and feels like a normal DB11 and with every Mercedes bits and bobs on it, it's hard to describe its inner German tech lurking from this brawny beauty Brit that likes to tangle through different roads and tracks with pride, prestige, and brawns.

The DBS Superleggera is powered by the same 5.2L V12 Twin Turbo engine from the DB11 but it was ticked to produce 725PS of power and 900Nm of torque and while mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox, it can get from 0-60mph in three and a half seconds and onwards to 211mph, meaning when compared to one of its Super GT rivals, the Ferrari 812 Superfast, it's not enough to eat the Prancing Horse alive, and while the DBS's performance is not an ideal alternative to Ferrari's V12 powerhouse, there goes the dynamics.

Yes, the DBS maybe more aerodynamic, it has a clever suspension setup, it has a limited-slip differential, new CCB carbon discs, and so on, but when you get your foot down, that massive amount of torque is worth intimidating at wheelspin start and while it's surprisingly worth a graceful dancer on the road, the DBS Superleggera always swings its axe and launch a few grenade rounds, demonstrating just how savage and how lairy this car is when driven on the track to the max. That Milady has a lot of things of its sleeves and unless you have a degree to this machine, best to bid yourself "adieu" when you get spun out at a corner. That said, this car needs the elegance of a skillful dancer and the image of Fawkes to master the DBS Superleggera's character regardless of how fast and how careful you're driving this car.

That said, the DBS Superleggera is one heck of a super grand tourer that combines legendary Aston Martin beauty with savage performance and dynamics that carries the specter of its predecessors. It may not be one of the best Super GTs on the road but that performance will make you either come back for more or be downright jealous. As a matter of fact, we're in the latter and one look of it will make us so jealous enough, we just want one for ourselves. Come on, world, we're waiting.

Photo: Aston Martin

Forza Horizon 4: Beautiful won't be tamed

Deep behind the shadows lies a new age sportscar that blends its captivating beauty with near-vicious performance that can't be cornered even a pack of wolves can't contain its primal elegance inside and out.



For the pursuit of beautiful, Aston Martin given us the all-new Vantage for us to play with in Forza Horizon 4 as a DLC car. Those who got their hands on the latest British masterpiece will be able to showcase the Vantage's character as a sportscar that blends its captivating beauty with near-vicious performance on the road.





Before taking a spin with this new car, let's talk more about the new Vantage.  For over a hundred years, Aston Martin has a wide reputation for making the most beautiful grand tourers on the road and on the track and this new generation Vantage is one of them. The new Vantage's exterior design draws inspiration from the one-off Bond car from SPECTRE and the track-only Vulcan, which stays true to Aston Martin's pursuit of beautiful, and the interior follows form and functionality fit for a grand tourer of this size. Under the hood, the Vantage is powered by a Mercedes-AMG-derived 4.0L V8 BiTurbo engine, producing 503HP of power and 685Nm of torque. With its 8-speed AT, which propels it to a 0-60mph time of less than four seconds and onwards to 195mph.

Aside from the V8 engine, the new Vantage is lighter than the old V8 Vantage because of its aluminum bodywork and to make it more active in the dynamics department, it features Dynamic Stability Control and Dynamic Torque Vectoring, resulting it into a no-nonsense sportscar that feels great to drive wherever you may be.



It maybe a baby Aston but it feels so grown-up to drive on the open roads of Britain and because being an Aston Martin, they're not really made to race but while this is not essentially a balls-out sportscar, the primal performance the new Vantage delivers is like a white wolf howling in a middle of the moonlight. Now there's your Determination Symphony playing out for you but to see if the Vantage has the symphony of a pure Aston Martin, it's time to turn words into action by taking the new Vantage a wild ride at Edinburgh but first...







Looks like this car got caught in a middle of a spell-conjuring in the dead of night but no matter because the beautiful baby Aston just got even more beautiful and that witchcraft really suits its character rather well. Anyway, after it went through some spellbinding sessions, our little witch hunter's prepared to show the Edinburgh crowd that "beautiful won't be tamed."



The beauty of the witch and the skill of a hunter, two traits the new Vantage really possess and at the end of the day, she smiled in front of me, wishing that she wants me to have another go.



The new Vantage really shows that "beautiful won't be tamed" because of its design and performance that bewitches drivers easily and the more time they spent driving the new Vantage, the more likelihood that this could be the best Aston Martin ever made. It's mad to say that the baby Aston is the best but the temptation of driving the new Vantage all day long, that's what makes this car special in every way. The elegance, the performance, the dynamics, the Vantage is too beautiful to ignore and that is the bottom line.

Forza Horizon 4: Made for Bond

One of the first car packs in Forza Horizon 4, the Best of Bond Pack, gave us five and a half decades of Bond cars to try out in the streets of Britain and one of them is a Bond car so unique, it only exists in the world of Bond.



This is the Bond car as seen in SPECTRE, the 2015 James Bond 007 film starring Daniel Craig. The car is called the Aston Martin DB10 and this is the first time Aston Martin made a car specifically for the 2015 Bond film.

Fans who watched the Bond movie three years ago saw the thrilling car chase sequence where Bond, in an almost unarmed DB10, got chased by a Jaguar C-X75 Concept driven by the Filipino baddie at the streets of Rome at nightfall. I love that thrilling car chase so much, I often watch this scene over and over again but let's not get all cheesy because there's so much to talk about the DB10.



Although little info is given about Q Branch's latest masterpiece for 00 Agents, some say that what's underneath the DB10 are the bits and bobs from the Aston Martin Vantage with the V8 engine in it. Perhaps it's no wonder the Bond car in question served as a prologue to the next Vantage of some sorts but either way, I am very excited to have a blast at the Bond car from SPECTRE. In fact, I managed to check out with the other Bond cars to see if this unarmed beauty fit enough to woo the crowd just like the secret agent served by Her Majesty's Secret Service.



It's a good thing I called on Q Branch to make some changes in the DB10 because with numerous baddies lying around in Horizon, it's safe to say that the DB10 should be armed and ready for a whole new mission minus the beauties and the baddies waiting for me because this is Horizon. Anything happens, you know.



Mission accomplished. Although the Q Branch may not be happy about me meddling with the DB10, it's safe to say that the Bond car sure loves taking a time off on Horizon UK. In fact, this car wants me to do some more and I'm more than happy to join forces with Bond's dream car from SPECTRE. There's so much missions to do with this car and because this is Horizon, anything is possible.

Forza Motorsport 7: Aston's Group C racer you never heard of

Another day, another racing machine we never heard of, and the August Spotlight Car of Forza Motorsport 7 I'm checking it now is the Aston Martin AMR1 from the late 1980s and there's something about Aston's forgotten Group C legend I want to know about.



Since mid-1987, Aston Martin planned the AMR1 Group C racing machine, which was funded by Peter Livanos and would be designed by Max Boxstrom of Dymag Wheels until Ecurie Ecosse would back it.

Made to compete with the likes of Jaguar, Porsche, and Mercedes-Benz, the AMR1 takes advantage of its current ground-effects technology with its massive aero tunnel running from midship to the rear for better tunnel effect while a large rear wing provided downforce. It has a carbon fiber and Kevlar chassis tub and powering the AMR1 is a 6.0L engine developed by Callaway, producing over 700HP of power at over 7,000rpm.

Brian Redman and David Leslie drove the AMR1 at Brands Hatch 480km in July 1989 and finished in 4th place overall. It ranked 8th at the Nurburgring the month later and 6th in Donington 480km. The car ranked 6th overall in the 1989 World Championship. Although Aston Martin is developing a replacement for the AMR1, tensions between the A.C.O. of the 24 Hours of Le Mans race and the F.I.S.A. rattled the development and with that, the project have shelved in March 1990.



So, Callaway did work on the engine that powers the AMR1, right? Callaway was now famous for turning Corvettes to the highest degree so its motorsport involvement in the past makes it special in the development of the Aston Martin AMR1 but anyway, this is no time to get awed about Callaway's involvement because I am busy talking more about this machine. Although this machine didn't experience podium finishes in its time at the 1989 World Championship, this thing is quite a blast to drive for a forgotten Group C machine made by one of the world's most charismatic carmakers. Letting the Callaway-tweaked 6.0L engine roar through the racetracks, you can really reel it in to experience is hidden potential beneath Aston's flawed but pristine Group C machine that deserves better.



To understand more about Aston Martin's unsung hero, the producers invited people like me to drive the AMR1 around Suzuka as fast as we can and this is the perfect opportunity to see how much Aston Martin's forgotten Group C legend deserves if it was made for greatness. Roll VTR.



On one-lap magic, I managed to do a 2:01.696, and although not the quickest time I set, it's proven that this Aston Martin is a quick car full stop even though it didn't achieve anything but participating and finishing races like it was meant to be.



The AMR1 is the unsung hero that shows that it doesn't need all of the success stories, the medals, and the trophies to show how much of a racing machine this is. What matters the most is that Aston Martin tried their very best to show the world what they're capable of and men like us should give respect to this unsung hero it deserves. Feel free to check the AMR1 for a while on FM7 and see if this is your favorite Early Prototype Racer for a change.

Aston Martin New Vantage

Back in the fall of 2015, moviegoers went to the movies to watch the recent 007 film, SPECTRE, to witness Daniel Craig driving a one-off Aston Martin made for that film. That Bond car in question, as it turned out, is a preview of the next baby Aston and now, here we are, the Bond car from 007: SPECTRE film comes to life as the all-new Aston Martin Vantage.

2019 Aston Martin Vantage

2019 Aston Martin Vantage

Of all the people should know, the all-new Aston Martin Vantage really is all-new from the ground up and one look of this new Vantage will make everyone jealous to drive one someday, including me. Jealousy aside, the new Vantage promises to be one of the most attractive GT cars ever built because the design is like a Bond car with the Vulcan front on it for better cooling and on the inside, this is different than we hoped for because it's a tad too ordinary just like the DB11's and because of the Anglo-German quagmire we're facing with, you'll see some Mercedes bits and bobs on it including the sat-nav. Although the interior is somewhat average to look at, there's no need to worry about it because the exterior just overshadows it from every point of view.

Anglo-German quagmire aside, the Vantage is powered by a 4.0L V8 BiTurbo engine, the same one used on the utterly wonderful Mercedes-AMG GT sports car, producing 503HP of power and 685Nm of torque. Unlike the Mercedes-AMG GT, the Vantage sports an 8-speed AT, which propels it to a 0-60mph time of fewer than four seconds and onwards to 195mph. Although as close as the AMG GT, here's something that the AMG GT couldn't have; a 7-speed manual gearbox, making the Vantage a more enjoyable GT car to drive in case the AMG GT is not your kind of car for the weekend drive and what a car it is. We can expect to live the Bond car moment with this one if you know what I mean.

There's a quick saying that all good Astons are made for the comfortable driving mind rather than attacking it on the racetrack but thanks to its short dimensions that make it shorter than the Porsche 911, its aluminum bodywork, and its crafty dynamics, the Vantage really feels like it works at both road and track, meaning this car is all serious work and serious play, like a lone wolf performer broadening horizons in a gothic getup for a concert with her mates. Couple that with numerous features such as the Dynamic Stability Control and Dynamic Torque Vectoring and the result is a no-nonsense sportscar that feels great to drive wherever you may be and that's just the cherry on the top of the strawberry shortcake.

The price of the new Vantage begins at £120,900, which is too much for a car like this and although I have a fair say that while the Vantage disappoints in price and interior, its exterior design, performance, and dynamics are something to wish for in the hopes to demand every producer to step away from their all-oldies nonsense and make them sample the power of the new Vantage, wherever they're sitting at. That's jealousy for you and because the new Vantage is a rather impressive baby Aston that is redefined for today's drivers, we are growing desperate to get our hands on this new one. Come on, boys, we're waiting.

Photo: Aston Martin.

Aston Martin DB11 Volante

A few moments ago, Aston Martin welcomed the DB11 with the new variant that comes with the AMG-derived 4.0L V8 BiTurbo engine because having a V12 DB11 outflanked by the Mercedes-AMG GT's V8 ferocity, they sealed their fate by having the AMG V8 engine to the DB11 and although it doesn't have the grunt of the V12 engine, it feels more alive for a grand tourer of this size and while some are happy with the Mercedes-powered Aston Martin, there's so much to talk about it by adding a convertible variant.

2019 Aston Martin DB11 Volante

This is the Aston Martin DB11 Volante and with prices starting at £159,900.00 inc. VAT, it's slightly less expensive than the powerful V12 hardtop variant, which sadly isn't getting one because the only sole option in the open-top DB11 is the AMG-derived 4.0L V8 BiTurbo engine, churning out 503HP of power and 675Nm of torque, which is not as powerful as its target, the Ferrari Portofino.

Mated with a rear mid-mounted eight speed automatic gearbox with electronic shift-by-wire control system, it does 0-60mph in 4.1 seconds and it has a top speed of 187mph, meaning this is also slower than the Portofino as well, but it didn't really matter anyway because like all good Astons, it wasn't design to be the aggressive type, something that you are going all out when you put it on the track, because it makes the journey through the open road as smooth as a grass whistle.

Grass whistle aside, the suspension of the DB11 Volante is pretty much like its hardtop equivalent. It's got a front independent double wishbones and rear multilink and it comes with an Adaptive Damping System with Skyhook technology modes GT, Sport & Sport +. In GT mode, you get the idea I said above but in Sport +, it bears the impression of running of the bulldogs going to bite you. That sounds painful to get into but while it sounds irrelevant for a grand tourer, the DB11, despite the added weight compared to its hardtop equivalent, really is fun and you can really hear the V8 barking like an American muscle car, meaning there's an aura of a street fighter lurking beneath its gentleman looks. What does the fox says? Well, rev this one to find that answer.

Anyway, the steering is dramatic indeed because of its Electric Power Assisted Steering rack with speed-dependent rack and pinion power-assisted steering, which takes about 2.4 turns lock-to-lock, and while it is very dramatic like I said, it takes a lot of effort to turn this open-top grand tourer round the corner because chances are, it's going to be an arm-breaking experience. Darn those power-steering stuff but as challenging as mastering a song in a hard difficulty setting, it feels just right especially when it has the surprising Dynamic Torque Vectoring. As for the brakes, it has some drama to it even though they're ventilated.

Because this is a new Volante, the DB11 Volante's roof system is brand new and this K-fold roof system takes about 14 seconds to open roof, 16 seconds to close roof, even at speeds up to 31mph.

On the inside, it feels pretty much like its hardtop equivalent. It's got full-gran leather interior, Alcantara headlining, heated front seats, the Mercedes-derived sat-nav, everything this DB11 offers and while some say it looks disappointed and a tad average, it's functional indeed and it's not bothersome to the DB11's formal looks. Even James Bond couldn't have a word of it because he'd simply just get in and go with no questions asked. Boot space? Despite being a convertible, it has more room for two large gym bags and it's more spacious compared to the old DB9 Volante. Now that's functional in so many levels.

And there you have it folks. Although the DB11 Volante lacks the V12 engine its hardtop equivalent possess and while not as sharp as a Ferrari Portofino, it has everything a grand tourer should be. Gentlemen looks, a V8 BiTurbo engine from Mercedes-AMG, luxurious interior, boot space, the DB11 Volante really is special in so many ways to drive one and for their long driving pleasure, it really wows them, nothing more and nothing less indeed.

Photo: Aston Martin

Forza Motorsport 7: The Anglo-German quagmire

For some bothersome speedo boys, the partnership between Aston Martin and Mercedes-AMG can be downright bothersome ever since the British sports car maker announced that they will borrow AMG's V8 engine for their forthcoming models, including the DB11.

In my early youth, I always wanted AMG to be the one that bears exotic power on everyday models ever since the G65, the SL65, and the S65 hoping that one day, all models bearing the 55 nomenclature should advance to 65 and become an all-V12 lineup but no, they'd rather want to keep the V8 at bay and introduced the 63 nomenclature to everyday models like the E-Class, the C-Class, and so on, and even though today's 63 models are turbocharged and sourced from the AMG GT flagship sportscar, it wasn't enough to whet my appetite. Even the newer Aston Martins with AMG V8 engines fared worse than ever in my mind. This is the Anglo-German quagmire I didn't see it coming and to explain what I'm on about, I'm gonna have a shootout between a V8-powered AMG and a V12-powered Aston to see if V8 power is the way forward or not.





For this shootout, I'd picked the Mercedes-AMG GT R, which has a 4.0L V8 BiTurbo on it, and an Aston Martin DB11, which has a 5.2L V12 Twin Turbo engine. Yes, the DB11 has more power than the AMG GT R but is the V12 really faster than the V8? To find out, I'm standing here at the Top Gear Test Track to explain what I'm on about.



For some incumbent reasons, Mercedes-AMG wanted the V8 to stay rather than transforming itself into an all-V12 lineup. That's how the world rattled when they introduced the 63 nomenclature in reference to the 6.3L V8 but with times are changing, the 63 models had their engines downsized and at the turn of the new decade, there was the 5.5L V8 BiTurbo engine, and now, several years later, this engine. the 4.0L V8 BiTurbo engine. Introduced to the normal AMG GT, the 4.0L V8 BiTurbo engine can be tweaked out depending on the model and in this hot version, the AMG GT R, it produces 585HP of power and 700Nm of torque while mated to a 7-speed AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT, and it's not even the most powerful AMG offering yet, you know, but in the world where downsizing is becoming mainstream in most carmakers, this engine never fails to impress and this is the main reason why I love this AMG GT in every point of view because I tried it before.



Aston Martin has been well-known for their V12-powered grand tourers but with the introduction of the DB11, they've thrown the world a curve with the introduction of the 5.2L V12 Twin Turbo engine, which is smaller than the predecessors' 6.0L V12 engine but it sounds very smooth indeed and produces a lot of power than the old engine. 608PS of power and 700Nm of torque, that's how the V12 works and it's great to know that downsizing aside, they've still retained the V12 for the purity of it but annoyingly, Aston Martin added the AMG V8 BiTurbo engine on it, and care to guess how the AMG V8 BiTurbo fares against Aston's own V12 Twin Turbo engine? That's why we're here at the Top Gear Track to settle this issue once and for all.

Obviously, it's very impossible to beat the lap times set by The Stig in real life, so what I'm gonna do is do the shootout my way to see which one is the best. Is it the one with the AMG V8 BiTurbo or the one with the Aston Martin V12 Twin Turbo? Time to roll the clip.



And now, the results...

AMG GT R - 1:20.231
DB11 - 1:23.402

It's a shocking result! Although not as fast as The Stig's the gap between them has been narrowed to just almost three seconds! But still, I find that surprising that V8 power is the way forward especially if it comes from Mercedes-AMG.





I had to admit that what they did is not a quagmire to sports cars because Mercedes-AMG really know what they were doing, creating the best engines made specifically for their kind of cars, and with the 4.0L V8 BiTurbo engine, it's all about getting acquainted with all the right grooves and the right place. The Aston V12 Twin Turbo may be smooth and powerful but in the end, looks like David beaten Goliath at the very end and looks like Aston Martin did surrender their fate to the Germans, knowing that the AMG V8 BiTurbo would look good on their forthcoming models, even the DB11.