OUT OF THE SHADOW?

ASTON MARTIN TARGETS DRIVING ENTHUSIASTS MORE THAN EVER BEFORE, BUT PORSCHE'S 911 STANDS IN ITS WAY—OR DOES IT?

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Aston Martin would love it if you forgot, or at least revised, a few things you think you know about it. Yep—that James Bond scene that just popped into your mind, and images of grand touring, too.

Today's Aston Martin wants to be more than that. It wants to be known for its sports cars. It wants to move into rarefied competition on the streets with the McLarens and Ferraris of the world, just like it does on the Formula 1 circuit. The new 2025 Aston Martin Vantage is proof positive of this new philosophy. “Engineered for real drivers,” (emphasis added) as the company puts it. This heavily revised Vantage is stiffer and more powerful than before and retains the classic beauty and comfort Aston Martin is known for. To be clear, Aston doesn't call the Vantage itself a supercar, but it wants the model to help it move toward the world’s most preeminent supercar makers. There is, however, another obstacle on this path: Porsche.

Porsche doesn't compete in F1, but it knows plenty about big-time racing—with more wins, for instance, at the 24 Hours of Le Mans than Ferrari, McLaren, and Aston Martin combined. As far as road cars are concerned, the German manufacturer already has a car—the 911—that does just what Aston hopes to do in terms of performance. It has long been the default choice for well-heeled enthusiasts looking for a car that's as comfortable commuting during the week as it is carving up canyons or racetracks on the weekend. It's a driver's car that delivers an exceptionally engaging experience without much in the way of compromise.