Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster to surface in Los Angeles

Aston Martin plans to officially unveil its new Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster during the upcoming auto show to be held in Los Angeles on Wednesday 29th November.

The new convertible will feature a three-layer fabric hood, which takes only about 18 seconds to either open or close with a push of a button and without any additional driver's intervention.

The new V8 Vantage Roadster, which is based on the 2005 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Coupe, shares its bonded aluminum structure and features aluminum alloy, steel, composite, and magnesium alloy body with extruded aluminum side impact bars and integral rollover bars. Although Aston Martin promises "engineering excellence, technological innovation and physical perfection," which "will ensure every journey is one to remember", it is clear that having less rigid body the roadster will not match the coupe from the point of view of handling and control.

The Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster will come to the market with only one all-alloy quad overhead camshaft 32-valve, 4.3-liter V8 engine, capable of producing some 380 bhp @ 7000 rpm and a maximum torque of 302 lb-ft (410 Nm) @ 5000 rpm. The engine is mated to either a basic six-speed manual or an optional Sportshift sequential automatic transmission.

Together, they provide the vehicle with zero to 60 mph acceleration of long 4.9 seconds and a maximum speed of 175 mph (280 km/h). Well, it's not that good, considering that its closest rival, the Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet costs only about $15,000 more in basic configuration, but ensures 0-60 mph acceleration of only 3.8 seconds and its top speed is limited at 193mph.

The car will be delivered with such standard safety features as DSC, ABS, EBD and EBA as well as Positive Torque Control system and front and rear ventilated and grooved steel discs.

See also: Aston Martin Nurburgring Vantage V8