ASTON MARTIN VANTAGE

Love it or hate it, the Vantage definitely made a splash with its public debut at LA. Especially polarising in its Lime Essence paint, this all-new Vantage will be your entry point to the world of Aston Martin. That makes it the second model, after last year's DB11, introduced under Aston's second-century plan which promises seven new models in as many years. First seen on a car wwearing the winged badge in 1951, the Vantage tag last graced an all-new car in 2005 - the outgoing Vantage, still available in the hardcore AMR variant for now, at least. The Vantage sits on the new bonded aluminium structure used in the DB11, though Aston claim 70 per cent of the components are new for the Vantage. Under the clamshell hood is the AMG-sourced 4-litre twin turbo V8, which produces 510bhp and

685Nm torque. Pushed right back in the bay, this results in the holy grail of weight distribution - a perfect 50:50 front to rear. With a kerb weight of 1,530kg, the Vantage is claimed to hit 100kmph from standstill in just 3.6s, with maximum velocity being 314kmph. Impressive for the "starterAston" and even more so is the fact that the new Vantage generates its downforce without any active aero. For the first time, a rear diffuser has been employed on a road-going Aston. Another first is the electronic rear differential (e-diff) that responds quicker than a conventional limited slip differential (LSD).