Aston Martin V8 Vantage N400 (2008) CAR review

It’s a sign of the times at Gaydon that Aston Martin has produced three new models since it walked away from Ford ownership in 2007. Sounds impressive until you realise that all of them are special editions more akin to the mass-marketing commonly seen at Renault or Vauxhall. Hence the V8 Vantage N400 limited edition unveiled at last year’s Frankfurt Motor Show and driven here for the first time.

Built to commemorate Aston’s entries at the Nurburgring 24-hour race, it’s a regular V8 with a brace of mechanical, styling and equipment flourishes. And an £11,000 price hike. Aston will build 240 coupes and 240 roadsters in N400 spec and a plaque on the kickplate of our orange example reads ‘001 of 480’, confirming it as the original 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show car. Better not crash it then.

Aston Martin N400: the mechanical spec

The 4.3-litre V8 benefits from an ECU upgrade and tweaks to the throttle response to liberate an extra 20 ponies, swelling power output to 400bhp, while twist rises to 310lb ft. On paper that’s enough to hit 60mph in 4.9sec while the N400 will top out at 177mph on the fastest sections of the Nordschleife. If you’re brave enough.

The only other changes to the N400 are the addition of the sport suspension pack, bringing uprated springs and Bilstein dampers, a new rear anti-roll bar and graphite-finished alloy wheels. This will be rolled out to other Vantages this summer for a premium of around £2500. Meanwhile, car spotting anoraks should look out for the N400’s revised sill design, silver mesh on the bonnet and side strake intakes, clear rear lamp lenses and a bright finish to the unmistakeable Aston grille.