Despite the finger-numbingly cold weather, hordes of car enthusiasts and industry leaders turned up for the unveiling of the new Aston Martin Vantage last Thursday. They were not left disappointed.

When the drapes came off, it was immediately clear that the new Aston Martin Vantage is breaking with tradition. Gone are the soft, curved edges so evident in sister models like the elegant DB11 and the sleek Vanquish. Instead, the British carmaker has opted for strong angles and a distinctly sporty feel.

A 4-litre twin-turbo V8 engine and a matching eight-speed ZF transmission, placed low and to the rear of the car, produces over 500bhp and 685Nm of torque. This gives the car a zippy top speed of 314kmph and a 0-100kmph time of just 3.6 seconds.

Aston Martin has also stepped away from its usual aerodynamic designs, instead opting for a gaping front grill, roomy side vents and a barely-there spoiler to firmly pin down the car in tight corners. It is also equipped with Electronic Rear Differential, a first for the brand.

Despite all the upgrades to its athletic performance, the new Aston Martin Vantage doesn’t skimp on high-tech creature comforts. The In-Car Entertainment system boasts an 8-inch display screen, Bluetooth capabilities, Android and Apple compatibility and the Aston Martin Martin Audio System alongside its satellite navigation system.

Dr. Andy Palmer, Aston Martin President and CEO, proudly shared, “I am enormously excited by what we’ve created, a new Vantage that’s more explicit in looks and intent, wrapping heart-pounding performance and dazzling dynamics into an everyday usable package.”

While the new Aston Martin Vantage may ruffle some feathers among true-blue Aston fans, it’s an exciting step into the future for the British car manufacturer and a great way to introduce a whole new generation to the wonders of Aston Martin.

The new model (priced from HK$2,480,000) is on sale now, with deliveries beginning in the third quarter of this year.

Text: Tenzing Thondup
Video and Images: Aston Martin