The driver of the car Aditya Naik assured me that “anyone” can drive this car as we fairly flew through the air, touching 100 kmph at certain spots.
Being driven around Marine Drive in an Aston Martin Vantage V8 is a somewhat awesome experience, especially with regard to the speed thrills that it is capable of. The driver of the car Aditya Naik assured me that “anyone” can drive this car as we fairly flew through the air, touching 100 kmph at certain spots.
I certainly felt a bit James Bond-ish, though Bond drives an Aston Martin DB5 in his latest movie. The DB5 comes down (in an updated version) from the days of Sean Connery and Goldfinger, and has apparently been a lucky mascot not unlike Bond’s martinis. With the folks at the British-owned company having launched a spanking new car model in India last year at Rs20 crores a pop, the One-77 happens to be the most expensive car available in the country, outdoing the others in the league. So, you see, I have pre-conceived notions!
As I get accustomed to the seating in the V8, I’m told that everything about the car is hand-made, from the hand-stitched leather on the seats to the engine, the fittings and the paint. The semi-automatic seven-speed gearbox in the car, unlike the complete automation of other luxury car makers, gives the driver the option of switching to manual gears if they desire a greater feeling of control.
With eight cylinders, 420 bhp and a 4.7 litre engine, it can cruise along Mumbai’s somewhat potholed roads with the ferocity of a charging tiger. However as we drive along, I get a somewhat vivid sensation of experiencing the road texture, which could have to do with the fact that it is extremely low-slung.
To say that the car is good-looking from the outside would be somewhat of an understatement. It is super looking for those interested in the glamorous aspect of the vehicle. Not to mention that the sound of its engine revving up can startle grandmothers out of their perches half a mile away.
Company executive Sandeep Gupta tells me that its trademark doors open at a 12 degree angle, which I would say is probably desirable for all those who enjoy looking at the Leaning Tower of Pisa among other things. The air ducts on the front give the V8 the look of an airplane and actually help balance the car aerodynamically when travelling at top speeds.
The Vantage forms one product line of popular Aston Martins and I’m told the DB line (which stands for ‘David Brown’, one of the early owners) is still under production with the latest DB9 on roads internationally. Even more powerful than the V8, the DB9 features a six litre, 12 cylinder engine which would please speed enthusiasts immensely.
Yet, considering the price tag for the V8 starts at Rs2 crore, I’m not surprised that the folks at the company hope to sell just a couple of Aston Martin cars every month — around three and no more.
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