Stunning styling, gorgeous exhaust note, balanced handling, composed ride, interior. The Vantage is beautifully balanced, has great turn-in and a well-weighted wheel. It flows through bends effortlessly, rarely getting flustered. The suspension is a touch soft at the back, but for the most part rides impressively. Refinement is superb, although the Aston can get jerky at low speed. The 4.3-litre V8, mounted a long way back in the chassis to make the Vantage mid-engined, sounds sensational. The engine note hardens as revs rise, filling the cabin with a loud, enticing rasp that doesn't let up all the way to the red line.