Latest news with #AstonMartinVantageRoadster
Miami Herald
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Auto review: Driving alfresco in the 2026 Aston Martin Vantage Roadster
In a world where car design is increasingly held hostage by angry, dissonant design language, Aston Martin is an abiding reminder that the finest cars are timelessly beautiful, exquisitely crafted and intelligently engineered. The thought occurred as I approached this week's test car, a 2026 Aston Martin Vantage Roadster sheathed in carbon-fiber body panels painted California Sage, a shade-shifting green that shimmers like the automotive track star that it is, its hue changing with the light as you stole around it. Certainly, it's dressed to thrill, with bulging rear fenders and a soft shoulder mid-body, much like an old 911. Its handsome, distinct face has a noticeably larger grille, which aids cooling. The rear-end diffuser may denote sportiness, but it's visually louder than the rest of the car. However, the quad exhaust tips are beautifully integrated. With the top up, the Roadster resembles the Coupe. Top down, it's stowed beneath the sleek rear deck. Now, the Aston Martin faithful may wonder why this speed buggy is called the Roadster, and not a Volante, Aston's name for its droptops. Evidently that appellation is reserved for Aston's GT cars, which the Vantage is decidedly not. It's a sports car, one that delivers maximum thrills in a minimally sized package. The 2026 Aston Martin Vantage Roadster is the follow-up to the Vantage Coupe that debuted last year. Thanks to some body structure and driveline tweaks, the Roadster weighs a mere 132 pounds more and is no slower than its Coupe sibling. Its twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 produces 656 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque through a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission. It's fast, with its Michelin Pilot Sport 5.5 tires providing a 0-60 mph time of 3.5 seconds and a 202-mph top speed. Just as fast is the eight-ply fabric roof, which drops in 6.8 seconds at speeds of up to 31 mph. The driveline is fitted with Sport, Sport+, Track, Individual and Wet driving modes, but no Eco mode - thank God. As you might expect, it uses premium fuel and returns an EPA-rated 18 mpg in combined city/highway driving. Even though its exhaust note exhibits signals that it's ready for a raucous time, this is a sports car for gentlemen and gentlewomen. The driveline makes a sporting sound, but it's never overbearing, while the engine and transmission prove very responsive, remaining in gear longer than most rivals - especially in manual mode, where it indulges need to the gear and listen to it emote. And it plays the automotive athlete, unequal-length double wishbones up front; a multi-link suspension out back and Bilstein DTX adaptive dampers at each corner. Despite the slew of electronic driving aids, this remains an unrepentant front-engine/rear-wheel-drive roadster. Able to dance with an ease of control that makes it one fine party animal, the steering and brakes communicate to the driver as its taut handling voraciously gobbles up asphalt accompanied by a refined rumble. Driver and passenger are ensconced in a snug cabin for two that's beautifully finished, its carbon-fiber trim colored identically to the exterior color. Its center console features a 10.25-inch capacitive touchscreen with a user interface designed in house. And bravo to the designers, who have not insisted that all controls be banished to the touchscreen. They believe, and rightly so, that certain controls are better as physical buttons while driving at speed. As a result, finding the control you want is simple. It's accompanied by a 390-watt, 11-speaker audio system or an optional 15-speaker, double amplified, 1,170-watt Bowers & Wilkins surround sound system. That said, the Aston's cylinder symphony is the only music I listened to. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard. Any quibbles? Well, the car's beltline is very high, which may be a turn-off for some. And, being a sports car, its boot measures a modest 7 cubic feet. Neither should dissuade you from acquiring this lovely bit of rapid transit. Aston Martin remains a survivor, and the 2026 Vantage Roadster is proof of the company's value. Having survived bankruptcy seven times in its 112-year history, it's arguably never been better. Credit the money and guidance of Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll, who has masterfully restored Aston Martin to the top of the automotive pantheon with cars that are among the rarest and finest in the world. The Vantage Roadster's performance, quality and scarcity define the essence of a true luxury sports car. 2026 Aston Martin Vantage Roadster Base price: $205,900 (estimated) Engine: Twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 Horsepower/Torque: 656/590 pound-feet EPA rating (combined city/highway): 18 mpg Fuel required: Premium unleaded Length/Width/Height: 177/81/51 inches Ground clearance: 3.7 inches Cargo capacity: 7 cubic feet Towing capacity: Not rated Copyright (C) 2025, Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Portions copyrighted by the respective providers.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
A Ravishing Aston Martin That Lets You Drop the Top
The 2025 Aston Martin Vantage Roadster, the open-top twin of the Vantage Coupe, is breathtaking, savage and maleficent, writes Dan Neil.
Scottish Sun
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Major car dealership to close with ‘job losses' expected in just days – months after brand closed three other sites
That's despite the group announcing profits of £162.9m in its first quarter SHUT UP SHOP Major car dealership to close with 'job losses' expected in just days – months after brand closed three other sites Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A MAJOR car dealership group is to close a site despite announcing hefty profits and a recent dividend payment to shareholders. US-based Group 1 Automotive appears to be taking decisive action after announcing the closure of their Volkswagen Telford dealership - only months after shutting down three other sites. 2 A large VW dealership is set to close - following three other sites Credit: Google 2 However, it will remain as a Volkswagen-authorised repair and service centre Credit: Google According to a report by Car Dealer Magazine, a number of job losses are expected at the dealership as a result - which is to close its doors for the final time at the end of this month. However, it is understood that the premises will remain operational as a Volkswagen-authorised repair and service centre. Sources within Group 1 have suggested that the company intends to redeploy many affected staff - presumably to other locations. However, Car Dealer Magazine reported that some employees have already started seeking alternative employment, with a number of them marking themselves as 'Open to Work' on LinkedIn. The firm is reported to be consulting with impacted employees, as they aim to minimise job losses. But with the closure of their sales operations, it is likely that there will be an overall reduction in roles at the site. A spokesperson for Group 1 Automotive UK said: 'Our VW Telford site will continue operating as a standalone VW-authorised repair and service centre, and the retail sales operation will end on 31 May 2025.' This year has been a significant one for Group 1, which announced profits of £162.9m for the first quarter. As a result, investors are in line to receive a dividend of $0.50 (37p) per a share. The company has already closed Volkswagen Wirral, Volkswagen Cheltenham, and Audi Hyde dealerships, which were previously owned by Inchcape. I drove the Aston Martin Vantage Roadster -it's a car which cries out to be driven hard & will get you a nod of appreciation wherever you go These sites were acquired as part of Group 1's £346m deal to purchase Inchcape's showrooms - effectively doubling the company's presence in the UK. Following the acquisition, Group 1 began a review of its corporate support functions, resulting in several redundancies. A spokesperson commented in November: 'Following the completion of the Inchcape Retail acquisition in August, we commenced a review of our corporate support functions. 'This review remains ongoing to ensure we are in a strong position to serve our customers and OEM partners effectively as we move forward as one enlarged business. 'We continue to support all colleagues as we move through this important transition period.'
The Irish Sun
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Major car dealership to close with ‘job losses' expected in just days – months after brand closed three other sites
A MAJOR car dealership group is to close a site despite announcing hefty profits and a recent dividend payment to shareholders. US-based Group 1 Automotive appears to be taking decisive action after announcing the closure of their Volkswagen Telford dealership - only months after shutting down three other sites. 2 A large VW dealership is set to close - following three other sites Credit: Google 2 However, it will remain as a Volkswagen-authorised repair and service centre Credit: Google According to a report by However, it is understood that the premises will remain operational as a Volkswagen-authorised repair and service centre. Sources within Group 1 have suggested that the company intends to redeploy many affected staff - presumably to other locations. However, Car Dealer Magazine reported that some employees have already started seeking alternative employment, with a number of them marking themselves as 'Open to Work' on LinkedIn. Read more Motors News The firm is reported to be consulting with impacted employees, as they aim to minimise job losses. But with the closure of their sales operations, it is likely that there will be an overall reduction in roles at the site. A spokesperson for Group 1 Automotive UK said: 'Our VW Telford site will continue operating as a standalone VW-authorised repair and service centre, and the retail sales operation will end on 31 May 2025.' This year has been a significant one for Group 1, which announced profits of £162.9m for the first quarter. Most read in Motors As a result, investors are in line to receive a dividend of $0.50 (37p) per a share. The company has already closed Volkswagen Wirral, Volkswagen Cheltenham, and Audi Hyde dealerships, which were previously owned by Inchcape. I drove the Aston Martin Vantage Roadster -it's a car which cries out to be driven hard & will get you a nod of appreciation wherever you go These sites were acquired as part of Group 1's £346m deal to purchase Inchcape's showrooms - effectively doubling the company's presence in the UK. Following the acquisition, Group 1 began a review of its corporate support functions, resulting in several redundancies. A spokesperson commented in November: 'Following the completion of the Inchcape Retail acquisition in August, we commenced a review of our corporate support functions. 'This review remains ongoing to ensure we are in a strong position to serve our customers and OEM partners effectively as we move forward as one enlarged business. 'We continue to support all colleagues as we move through this important transition period.'
Scottish Sun
17-05-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Millions of Brits risk ‘gradually wrecking' their motor with poor washing routine – three issues could cost £1,000s
NOT SO BRIGHT Millions of Brits risk 'gradually wrecking' their motor with poor washing routine – three issues could cost £1,000s OVER 11 million motorists are damaging their cars by washing them incorrectly – a costly mistake that could leave you £1,000s out of pocket. Recent statistics highlight Britain's car washing habits, with a significant number of drivers unknowingly risking serious harm to their vehicle's paintwork. 4 Over 11 million drivers in Britain risk costly damage to their car's paintwork by relying on automatic car washes Credit: Getty 4 The safest way to clean your car is by hand, using proper techniques like pre-washing, the dual-bucket method, and microfibre cloths Credit: Auto Express 4 Acidic chemicals, dirt-laden brushes, and poor washing practices at roadside hand car washes can leave micro-scratches and dull paint, costing you more in the long run Credit: Auto Express 4 Washing your car carefully and efficiently doesn't have to be hard work Credit: Getty After surveying more than 1,000 car owners about their washing routines, Auto Express found that a large portion of Brits are relying solely on automatic car washes, while nearly one in 10 (9%) don't clean their cars at all. What's more, while most drivers – 61%, according to the findings – wash their cars themselves, 15% only ever use an automatic car wash, while a further 16% use one sometimes. But while the estimated 11.2 million drivers who put their cars through an automatic wash may think they are doing better than the 2 million that admit they don't wash their cars at all, the wrong method can do far more harm than good. Speaking exclusively to Sun Motors, Tom Jervis, Consumer Editor at Auto Express, said: 'Most drivers think a quick run through an automatic car wash is doing their car a favour, but in reality, this is gradually wrecking the paintwork. 'The worst offenders are drive-through washes with old-style hard nylon brushes. 'They are not great because they pick up all the dirt and grit from all the previous cars, and it then gets rotated repeatedly over the paint. 'They can also rip off trim or a wiper and then drag it along the car. 'They don't do a great job either, as they miss bits like the inside of wheels or the corners by the number plate. 'And it is not just the automatic washes that are causing problems – poor car washing practices which use acidic chemicals, rough cloths, dirt-laden brushes – are leaving behind thousands of pounds' worth of damage in the form of micro-scratches, dulled paint, and damaged alloys.' CLEAN SWEEP Thankfully, washing your car carefully and efficiently doesn't have to be hard work – or even costly. I drove the Aston Martin Vantage Roadster -it's a car which cries out to be driven hard & will get you a nod of appreciation wherever you go Firstly, and unsurprisingly, Tom urges drivers to avoid automatic car washes. He said: 'Though newer automatic washes use softer microfibre brushes, they still often recycle dirt from previous cars. 'They also miss the details – like wheel arches and number plate corners – and can trigger boot sensors mid-wash, causing a real mess. 'If you must use one, pick a service that includes a human pre-wash and uses non-contact methods where possible.' Furthermore, he also advises car owners to steer clear of roadside hand car washes. 'Always check online reviews and get there early in the day when the cloths, mitts, and water are clean,' Tom said. 'Look out for a proper pre-wash using snow foam – not acidic traffic film removers, which some car washers mix up to be far too strong thinking it will work better. 'But it doesn't and can end up marking alloy trims and stripping the lustre off window rubbers. 'They also tend to slop on painted tyre shine, which may look good while the car is stationary, but as soon as you drive off, it gets flung onto the side of your car.' Tom even suggests being careful with jet washes, like the ones you find at a petrol station. 'I can see the attraction of these if you can't access a hose at home; using a communal jet wash at a petrol station gives you more control,' Tom said. 'But don't trust the communal brush – they are usually caked in grit from the last user. You're better off bringing your own bucket, washing mitt, and just using the lance.' DOS AND DON'TS When hand-washing your car - which Tom suggests is the 'safest and most effective method' - pre-washing to remove loose dirt before touching the paint is essential, and using snow foam or a pre-cleaner and rinsing thoroughly can help prevent scratches. Auto Express' 2025 Product of the Year winner, the Hydro V2, priced at £24.99, makes dispensing spray foams and coatings simple while ensuring precise ratios. A straightforward yet effective technique is the dual-bucket method, which consists of one bucket for clean water and another for rinsing, both equipped with grit guards to keep dirt from contaminating your mitt. For those without access to water, a waterless wash offers an excellent alternative – such as the CarPro ECH20, priced at £9.95 for 500ml, which earned Auto Express' 2025 Waterless Wash Product of the Year. When paired with microfibre cloths, it cuts through dirt effortlessly and leaves a brilliant shine. When washing, fine swirls and cobweb-like marks can dull your car's finish over time. These can be avoided by using proper washing techniques and protecting the paintwork with car wax, sealant, or ceramic coating to guard against future damage. Bilt-Hamber's Double Speed-Wax, priced at £16.95 for 250ml, and Shelby Ceramic Coating, £34.99 for 50ml, are Auto Express' top recommendations. For cars already showing fine scratches or swirl marks, a mild abrasive polish – also known as a colour restorer or T-cut – can be used to gently level the clear coat, either by hand or with a dual-action machine polisher. The Diamondbrite Diamond Cut, priced at £9.99 for 500ml, was recently named Auto Express' Colour Restorer of the Year. Deeper imperfections can be addressed with a paint depth gauge to ensure repairs stay within safe limits and avoid permanent damage. Even after washing, bonded contaminants may remain on the surface. Using a clay bar, such as Autoglym Ceramic Wash & Protect (£25 for 1000ml), can remove these residues and leave the paintwork ultra-smooth. TIME TO WASH While car washing in the summer can be a tad more pleasant than the same process in the chilly winter, doing it in strong sun can cause water and products to dry too fast – reducing effectiveness and even risking chemical staining or streaks. What's more, driving to dry your car can also leave streaks – which is why experts recommend a blow dryer or folded microfibre cloths to soak up water efficiently. And this begs the question, how often should you wash your car? According to Auto Express' survey, while nearly one in five car owners clean their motor every week or every month, some clean theirs every two weeks. But 18% admit they wash their car less than monthly, while nearly one in three said the rising cost of living meant they are more likely to wash their cars themselves instead of paying for a car wash service. He said: 'As a rule of thumb, washing your car every couple of weeks is usually enough to keep it in good condition. 'If your car is garaged or well protected with a ceramic coating, you can probably stretch it to once a month without doing any harm, but if you live near the coast, drive on muddy country roads or park under trees, you might need to clean it weekly to prevent damage from salt, grit, bird droppings or sap. 'What's really important is that if your car gets particularly dirty – even just in one spot – you clean it off as soon as possible. 'Things like bird mess and road salt can quickly cause permanent damage to your paintwork if they're left.' But can you wash your car too often? 'You can only wash your car too often if you're doing it wrong,' said Tom. 'The act of washing won't harm your car, but bad technique – using dirty cloths, old sponges, or harsh chemicals – will. 'Just keep to our Dos and Don'ts from above and you can wash your car as often as you like without doing any damage.'
