Vantage point
Essex Life|August 2020
The baby of the Aston Martin range still packs a mighty punch
Chris Pickering
Vantage point

There’s one feature that sums up the character of the Aston Martin Vantage rather well. It’s not the shark-like gills on the sides or even the outrageously muscular haunches. Strange as this may sound, it’s a small button on the left-hand side of the steering wheel.

Prodding this button allows you to cycle through the chassis modes, but unlike the identical button on its big brother, the DB11, there’s no comfort-orientated GT mode here. Instead, the Vantage jumps straight in at Sport and ramps up the aggression from there. In the softest of its three settings, the Vantage feels similar to the DB11 in its firmest. And then there’s the noise, a hard-edged growl that sounds like a thunderstorm trapped in a bass drum.

UNDER THE BONNET

The source of all this commotion is a 4-litre twin-turbocharged V8. Based on a Mercedes-AMG design, it has been thoroughly reworked by the Aston Martin engineers to give its own distinct character. Some of the AMG trademarks remain, however, including pin-sharp throttle response and a total absence of lag. Peak power is a very respectable 510PS, while top speed is 195mph.

Esta historia es de la edición August 2020 de Essex Life.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición August 2020 de Essex Life.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE ESSEX LIFEVer todo
The rise of maskne
Essex Life

The rise of maskne

With the term ‘maskne’ becoming an increasingly common search online and on social media, Krystal Prince explains what it is and how you can control mask-induced acne

time-read
2 minutos  |
November 2020
The forgotten lady
Essex Life

The forgotten lady

Charlotte Christie shares the life story of Anne Knight, an Essex pioneer for the abolition of slavery and women’s suffrage who’s achievements have almost been air-brushed from history

time-read
3 minutos  |
November 2020
Stride out in the Sampfords
Essex Life

Stride out in the Sampfords

This charming, circular winter walk takes you on a tour from the village of Great Sampford to its neighbour, Little Sampford, and back again

time-read
3 minutos  |
November 2020
MUCH TO TALK ABOUT
Essex Life

MUCH TO TALK ABOUT

As a presenter on Sky Music and the host of two TV talk shows of her own on Gidea Park-based Sky channel Spotlight TV, Hayley Palmer is never short of words. Nicky Adams asks her how she came to be in front of the camera

time-read
4 minutos  |
November 2020
LIFE and SOUL
Essex Life

LIFE and SOUL

Radio 1 broadcaster and producer Charlie Hedges began her career as Britain’s youngest breakfast show host and is now one of the world’s most successful female DJs. Denise Marshall caught up with the Essex-based queen of the air waves

time-read
5 minutos  |
November 2020
Lest we forget
Essex Life

Lest we forget

Remembrance Sunday will have a special poignance this month as 2020 marks the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II. Stephen Roberts profiles how much the county of Essex contributed to the war effort and how much it cost

time-read
5 minutos  |
November 2020
Lakeside Magic
Essex Life

Lakeside Magic

The Lake House, nestled in Mill End on the outskirts of the village of Bradwell on Sea, has been owned by the same family for 60 years and was once a thriving four-buoy water-ski lake.

time-read
1 min  |
November 2020
Keep on running
Essex Life

Keep on running

BBC presenter and director David Whiteley shares his insightful view on stories from across the county of Essex

time-read
2 minutos  |
November 2020
Cheers!
Essex Life

Cheers!

Starting to get that festive vibe? Why not plan ahead by selecting not only the drinks you want to serve this Christmas, but also ticking off a few presents too?

time-read
7 minutos  |
November 2020
A doggy day out on… Saffron Walden
Essex Life

A doggy day out on… Saffron Walden

Join Ernie, the county’s most famous Westie, as he steps back in time on a trip to this medieval market town

time-read
2 minutos  |
November 2020