2015 Aston Martin V8 Vantage GT BUDGET-PRICED EXOTIC

摘要

Like "jumbo shrimp," "genuine imitation," and "true fiction," "affordable Aston Martin" sounds like a lame marketing come-on. But it's the owners of the new and sharply discounted V8 Vantage GT who might be getting the last laugh. Priced at $102,725, the GT is $18,500 less than a comparably equipped Vantage V8 and $32,500 less than the top-of-the-line S model. Better still, Aston Martin achieved these savings by providing more rather than less - 10 more horsepower, 15 more lb-ft of torque, and a more sporting character showcased on a picturesque route through Germany's Eifel forest. On roads that echo the challenges posed by the epic Nordschleife racetrack nearby, the GT is a more athletic grand tourer than bulked-up sports car, though it's worth mentioning that lightly modified Vantages earned podium finishes in class in the latest edition of the Nurburgring 24 Hours. And, yes, detractors can correctly point out that the bonded aluminum chassis debuted in 2005, which is eons ago in car years.