Aston martin vantage n430

'Race'

Alloro Green exterior paint with yellow accents from the ClubSport Graphics Pack option. An instantly recognisable theme inspired by Aston Martin’s legendary Le Mans winning racer – DBR1.

Dynamic Design – Infectious Character

Inside as out N430 is designed to leave an impression. Both quickening the heart and raising a smile. An interior environment of race-bred materials weaves together luxury and tactility to create a refined and focussed cockpit.

No, it wasn’t. Back in 2007, it had an uprated version of the then-4.3-litre V8 with an extra 20bhp, plus bespoke dampers, springs and rear anti-roll bar. This new one takes all its settings from the optional sports suspension-equipped Vantage S. The alterations are chiefly the two-tone paint schemes (there’s a choice of five), various N430 badges, a carbon gear surround, alcantara steering wheel, that sort of thing. The sole possible dynamic advantage comes from the 20kg of weight saved by using lighter forged alloy wheels and carbon-fibre and Kevlar seats.
This is a bit disappointing. 
I have to agree that on paper it is. But in reality it isn’t. The Vantage has been on sale, mostly unchanged, since 2005. That’s plenty of time for Aston to have ironed out the faults (of which there were a few on early cars) and perfected the formula.
It’s also plenty of time for it to feel hopelessly out of date.

It is, but somehow, with the N430, that doesn’t feel like too much of a disadvantage. As time passes and Astons (yes, all of them) fail to move on with technology and emissions, they’re becoming ever more distinct from the latest sports cars with their torque vectoring, electric steering and so on. They’re becoming more charming, and this suits them. And while many of these new systems help cars go faster, they don’t make them any more entertaining to drive. The N430 feels like what it is – a culmination of ten years of development. It drives cleanly and well, is firmly damped, but not harsh, steers pleasingly and gets itself down a difficult road in a fast and engaging manner. It’s an analogue sports car, the antithesis of the Nissan GT-R.