Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster

Apparently a staggering 77% of us feel more passionate in the Summer months, according to a recent survey by online dating experts www.freedating.co.uk. With even hotter weather predicted for this Summer, Casanovas, Romeos and Juliets everywhere can look forward to passionate highs. 82% of men and 69% of women find that their libido soars with the heat.
Personally the object of my desire would have to be Aston Martin’s new convertible which was revealed at the end of last year. Now that is what heightens my senses. The thrill of open air motoring combined with anticipated performance and physical perfection is one journey to remember, for ever.
It has a body which is perfectly proportioned with a low purposeful stance which makes it a little more difficult to get out of, especially when parked half on a kerb. The two doors are large but surprisingly light. The interior has hand stitched leather sports seats with heating and electrically operated upper and lower lumbar adjustment which makes the perfect position easy to find.
The three-layer fabric hood is stowed neatly beneath the rear tonneau cover, its lines blending seamlessly into the muscular rear haunches of this powerful car and from the outside it looks like a coupe. The roof will either open or close at the press of a button located on the centre console, in just 18 seconds, and at speeds of up to 30mph with no manual intervention required.
The instrument pack is beautifully crafted from aluminium and has a three-dimensional profile which makes it easy to read. The mph read out is digital and so easy to read. Most of the warning lights are hidden behind the aluminium faces, becoming visible only when illuminated. The central message displays, meanwhile, are organic electroluminescent (OEL) – a process pioneered by Aston Martin – making them easier to read than conventional LCDs.
Standard equipment includes an optional pop-up satellite navigation screen, Aston Martin’s trademark glass starter button, automatic temperature control, heated rear screen and reversing sensors. You do need these because the rear window is very narrow and difficult to see out of. Aston Martin’s Audio System with six CD autochanger provides a romantic ambience.
With or without the music, this is a car that I really connect with; helped by the fact that seating is low, close to the car's centre of gravity. I could feel the car reacting to every input I made, a special sensation, usually only experienced in racing cars.
And the Vantage Roadster delivers the exceptional performance of a racing car, equalling the achievements of its coupe sibling. This new V8 engine has been specifically designed and developed for the Vantage Roadster and achieves 62mph from start in 5.0 seconds. With the top down, you can hear the ear splitting crescendo of gut wrenching sound rend the air. Aston Martin says the desirable sports car has a potential maximum speed of 175mph.
The Vantage Roadster is available with two transmission alternatives, a standard six-speed manual gearbox and a new Sportshift automated manual transmission which uses paddles behind the steering wheel to progress smoothly and swiftly through the ratios. On the dash are buttons displaying N, R and D and to change gear you just push one of these buttons.
High safety standards provide reassurance whatever the driving conditions. Every Aston Martin comes with a stolen vehicle tracking system called Auto-txt. Developed by Midlands based automotive supplier, RDM Group Limited, the system immediately identifies a car as stolen, allows the police to track the vehicle and will prevent it restarting using remote wireless technology.
The Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster delivers a sensational feel of open-air motoring with the opportunity to get lots of sunshine, which apparently is what produces the brain chemical known as serotonin. It is this chemical which heightens our longing for steamy encounters!

Facts at a glance:
Make & Model: Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster 4.3 litre V8
Price: £91,000
CO2 emissions: 358g/km
Insurance Group: 20E
Performance: 0-62mph in 5 seconds and on to a top speed of 175mph
Fuel Consumption: 18.8mpg
Will it fit in your garage: length 4380mm, width 2025mm, height 1265mm

By Sue Cooke