LOUD, FAST, AND SOPHISTICATEDLY ANGRY

656bhp! Ten shy of that devilish trio. 800Nm of torque. And a 0-100kmph sprint in a scarcely believable 3.5 seconds, all culminating in a top speed of 325kmph from a 4.0-litre twinturbocharged V8.

- Saneet Dsilva

2024 ASTON MARTIN VANTAGE

₹4.20 crore onwards (ex-showroom)

Those are some properly big numbers. But the real headline? This astonishing performance comes from Aston Martin's entry-level car-the new Vantage. The so-called "junior" Aston with its front-engine, rear-wheel-drive setup, a formula that enthusiasts (and let's face it, romantics) have always loved. We got our hands on it to test Aston's claim that this Vantage is "engineered for real drivers." Let's see if it delivers.

The Vantage has always been a car with gorgeous proportions and a perfectly sculpted silhouette. But now, the details are even sweeter. The older car's narrow headlights had a charm, but they often looked like they were squinting into the sun. Not anymore. The new, larger lamps balance the frankly enormous grille, which hints at its performance demands. It's a lot to take in, but it brings to mind Zagato specials of old. The grille is 38% larger and tipped forward, and it now feels more cohesive with the design, unlike the previous car, which looked like it had a mouth missing its lower lip.

Look closely, and you'll spot cooling gills on either side. They give a faint nod to the One-77, Aston's halo car of a decade ago, and they work well with the car's increased width-30mm wider than before, to be exact. Supporting the stance are 21-inch wheels with 275-section tyres up front and 325 at the rear. Around the back, the essential shape and rear lights might seem familiar. Still, Aston Martin insists that nearly every panel has been reworked, resulting in the diffuser and underbody aero generating 77kg of downforce at speed. Practicality hasn't been overlooked either; there's enough boot space for a set of golf clubs Because Aston owners don't just drive fast, they also play slow.