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A new drop-top Aston Martin is always cause for celebration, especially when it can reach a top speed of 202 mph (323 km/h) and look like a million bucks whilst getting there. But don’t spare a tear for the moneyed one-per-centers whose coiffure will be ruined by such velocities — they can probably afford to have a hairstylist on retainer.
This is the Aston Martin Vantage Roadster 2026. Under its sensual hood there is a 4. 0 l v8 biturbo engine that produces 656 horsepower and 590 lb-torsion pate. That is 800 Newton-Meters, if asked, which is a huge leap of 153 hp and 85 TQ since the last time Aston presented an advantage in topless. These innovations are basically reduced to larger turbos, revised camshaft profiles and an optimized compression ratio. All that force is channeled through the rear wheels and is intelligent to achieve an acceleration from 0 to 96 km/h (0 to 60 mph) in just 3. 5 seconds.
Weight, compared to the 2025 Vantage with a slim roof, would be only 60 kilograms (132 lb) higher, despite other innovations in the roof and structure. Aston claims that this car and the steel-roofed coupe evolved in parallel rather than in sequence, meaning the team was able to account for an expected change in weight distribution after the roof had been cut off. The roof can disappear in less than seven seconds at speeds of up to 50 km/h.
The planning paid off, producing a convertible with a 49-51 front-to-rear weight distribution; and the ability to give its Bilstein DTX adaptive dampers a bespoke tune. Brake discs the size of a dinner plate and calipers the size of a bread loaf haul the Vantage Roadster down from felonious velocities, working in concert with gummy Michelin Pilot Sport S 5 tires.
Aston Martin convertibles have sometimes been beautiful, except for a brief moment when the logo struggled with its new design direction. This one hits with an adequate number of threads and wrinkles along its sides, as well as a domed hood and a grille that faces in a position to absorb road debris. This is a car that can blank the pavement, literally and figuratively.
There will be 21 official colours, but we bet Aston will paint it whatever colour you wish, provided one supplies a sufficiently large cheque to the Q by Aston Martin personalisation service.
The roof looks good, not like other beloved convertibles that look like they’ve put on a hobo hat, that’s the visual challenge they pose with disjointed bodies. Aligned, there’s no need for a giant ton blanket, so all jobs can gently lean back into the domain introduced from this unique rear beet.
Inside, driver and passenger can enjoy a banging Bowers & Wilkins sound system appended to the 10.25-inch infotainment tablet, packed with all manner of gesture commands. Because it is likely Bond himself prefers it, there remain plenty of finely knurled buttons for key mechanical operations such as gear selection, drive selection, heating, and ventilation. It’s all very symmetrical, with a row of buttons flanking the gear selector and topped by dials for temp and audio volume. A large starter button takes an elegant centre stage.
Aston Martin expects deliveries of the 2026 Vantage Roadster to start on the spot in the fourth quarter of 2025.
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2021 Castrol-Wakefield Automotive Writing Award, runner-up
Runner Up – 2023 AJAC Adventure and Travel Journalism Award presented by Genesis Canada
Winner: 2023 AJAC Road Protection Journalism Award through Volvo Canada
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