Skip to content

First Drives

Aston Martin V8 Vantage N400 Roadster driven

By Adam Towler

First drive

07 May 2008 14:30

Earlier this year Aston Martin unveiled the coupe version of their N400 V8 Vantage – built to commemorate the company’s fledgling efforts in long distance production-based racing with the Vantage N24 – but now they’ve built a drop-top version, and as with the coupe N400, it’s limited to 240 units. The bad news, unless you’ve already got your name on the order book, is that they’re all sold.

Remind me – what do you get with an Aston Martin V8 Vantage N400?

Good things, like an extra 20bhp thanks to some ECU trickery - taking the car up to a nice round 400bhp along with 309lb ft (it was 302lb ft) of torque - and the new ‘Sports Pack’ that features revised dampers, springs, lightweight forged wheels and on the coupe, a new rear anti roll bar. On the outside, your colour choice is limited to Karussell Orange (a surprisingly deep hue under certain lights, not unlike tomato soup, but gorgeous nevertheless), Bergwerk Black and Lightning Silver (why not Schwedenkreuz Silver or something with a ‘Ring association?); revised rear lights and a new design of sills.

On the inside there’s a unique alloy facia, contrasting stitching, numbered sill plates and plenty of would-be-options such as a premium sound system and sat-nav. However, not so good is the stitched outline of the ‘Ring on the armrest and the tacky boot badge: you can have too much of a good thing, after all. Still, we’re being picky now…

Click 'Next' below to read more of our Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster N400 first drive review

 Click Thumbnails to Enlarge
Need to know

CAR's rating

rating is 4

Handling

rating is 4

Performance

rating is 4

Usability

rating is 3

Feelgood factor

rating is 4

Readers' rating

rating is 4

Statistics

How much? £102,000
On sale in the UK: Sold out
Engine: 4280cc 32v V8, 400bhp @ 7300rpm, 309lb ft @ 5000rpm
Transmission: Robotised six-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Performance: 4.9sec 0-60mph, 177mph, 18.7mpg, 360g/km
How big (length/width/height in mm)? 4380/2025/1255

Page

Sponsored Advertisements

Rate this article...

Average rating: rating is 4 (6 votes)

Discuss this

Add your comment

Aston Martin V8 Vantage N400 Roadster driven

Subject

Your comment

By submitting your comment, you agree to adhere to the Car Magazine website Terms and Conditions

Cancel

farmersboy

reward badge

farmersboy says

RE: Aston Martin V8 Vantage N400 Roadster driven

Is it a slow news week or something?

08 May 2008 08:02

Batty

reward badge

Batty says

RE: Aston Martin V8 Vantage N400 Roadster driven

Couldn't Aston go all out and put a LED display of the 'ring in the armrest? It could then light up, grand prix style with coloured sectors around the lap, noting PB sector, fastest overall etc.... No?

08 May 2008 08:01

AReader

reward badge

AReader says

RE: Aston Martin V8 Vantage N400 Roadster driven

I was about to write "not another Aston special edition! Aren't they overdoing it?" when I read that the words SOLD OUT! I guess I'm totally out of step with Aston's real customers (who must be clamoring for stuff like this), and I'm now thinking that my ideas (especially since I'm not a potential buyer - no money!) are irrelevant! Time for a rethink! How about Aston does even more special editions! Of course CAR, you don't have to bore us with them.

07 May 2008 18:08

Become a CAR contributor

Upload stories, photos or videos direct to the site, or email newsdesk@carmagazine.co.uk.

Alternatively, call 01733 468 485 (+ 44 1733 468 485)