Aston Martin N420: A worthwhile addition to the V8 Vantage line-up

1.692598-3122086613 — Image Credit: Supplied

Aston Martin doesn't ‘do' half measures. When the company says that its products are thoroughbred sportscars, it really means it. And to prove the point, it has taken to occasionally racing the stuff it makes.

Far from being an extract from some glossy brochure, this is all true. Recent years have seen Aston Martin compete in the popular Nürburgring 24 Hours endurance race with road registered Vantages. This is no walk in the park race, as the gruelling conditions have claimed many high profile scalps over the years. After securing a string of class victories, you can't blame Aston Martin for wanting to make a fuss.

As a way of celebrating, Aston Martin has produced a special edition V8 Vantage — the N420. This isn't the company's first effort — there was also 2007's N400. It's clear that the N420 is not a cynical attempt to cash in on racing glory. The detailed changes made to the V8 Vantage donor car are enough to make this special edition, well, special.

In true race car tradition the N420 is louder than a regular Vantage. No mean feat in itself, the 4.7-litre V8 powering the Vantage family is already a vocal participant. The N420's sports exhaust not only allows the V8 to breathe more freely but also generates a harder edged tone that befits a car with a proven racing pedigree.

That the sonic enhancement can be heard lower down the rev range is a welcome bonus. Remember, for all its leather and plush trimmings the N420 is more than capable of hitting the track and turning in respectable lap times — all you're missing is a roll cage.

With the N420's V8 motor unchanged from the donor Vantage, 420 horsepower remains good enough in the real world to see the wrong side of the speed limit in no time at all. The sprint to 100kph takes a brisk 4.8 seconds and it all stops at 290kph — on a track, of course.

But the numbers only tell half the story. The subtle changes to the Vantage have resulted in a useful change in the car's character. Much of the credit for this must go to the 27kg weight reduction programme and the inclusion of Aston's Sports Pack.

The former sees carbon fibre used for the car's lightweight seats and the likes of the front aerodynamic splitter and rear diffuser. The Sports Pack is a carefully chosen bundle of revisions to the springs, dampers and anti roll bars, and it's these changes that see an immediate improvement to the car's agility. Yes, the ride is now a little firmer but the steering is more accurate and responsive. Thankfully there's still enough suspension compliance on battered roads to make a countryside drive fun, although it's on larger arterial roads where the N420 shines.

Simply put, the N420 is an engaging and intoxicating experience. You sit low down in those figure-hugging carbon seats, and the N420's compact size ensures a level of agility that's hard to find in some rivals that claim to be performance cars but are really bloated Grand Tourers.

Opt for Aston's Sportshift gearbox over the standard fit six-speed manual transmission and you're another step closer to that full-on race car experience. This ‘semi-auto' unit is essentially a manual 'box with the clutch action automated for your convenience and to reduce gearchange times.

The fully auto mode does a good job but taking personal charge of shifting via the column mounted paddles is the way to go. You'll need to feather the throttle to smoothen the gearshifts, but getting it right is a rewarding experience. It works best with a fair few revs dialled in, and it's when you're really motoring that you fully appreciate the gearbox's advantages.

Far from being a bone-jarring experience, the N420 is an impressively rounded performer, certainly in the context of a fast and focused road car. The steering's wonderfully direct feel and the car's rasping and occasionally shrieking exhaust note are just two of the many highlights. Close your eyes — not while driving, though — and the latter could have you thinking you're spectating at Spa or some other classic GT-friendly circuit.

Predictably, there's a modest cost premium associated with the N420 over a regular Vantage before you add the Sportshift gearbox, and only you and your bank manager will be able to make that judgement call. That said, all that extra carbon fibre doesn't come cheap and the associated performance enhancements are genuine improvements. Viewed as a whole: the N420 is a worthwhile addition to the V8 Vantage line-up and, for someone with even a passing interest in the GT racing scene, well worth the extra outlay.

Carbon diet

Fine, 27kg isn't an incredible weight saving exercise but every bit helps. And it's the main reason why the N420 feels more lively and more responsive than the run-of-the-mill V8 Vantage. Every kilo lost is because of the use of carbon fibre, starting with the new carbon fibre front splitter, side strakes and rear diffuser. Inside, the Vantage N420 benefits from special carbon fibre seats to complete the diet.

Specs & ratings