I hate to say it but over the past few decades Great Britain has lost a lot of the things the makes it so great. Gone are the industries of which this country were built upon, vanquished is the hunger to be the worlds best. All of this is very sad for people who say they are “proud to be British” and long for the days when Britannia ruled the waves to return. Well people of the United Kingdom stand fast as Aston Martin has heeded your call.

Aston Martin are one of the only companies in the automotive sector that remain British. Though subsidised by a few foreign investors, each car is designed and crafted at their HQ in Warwickshire, but more importantly, each machine is constructed with a true British “stiff upper lip” ethos. The company over the past have suffered many blows but their ingenuity and fantastic craftsmanship have triumphed in the face of adversity. The Aston Martin V8 Vantage is their best selling model and for very good reason.

Sitting upon the tarmac is nothing short of a master piece. This is the Aston Martin V8 Vantage, not so much a car, but an automotive sculpture. It truly is glorious to look at with its bold lines and aggressive stance. The sheer attention to detail really affirms the Vantage as a premium product. Everything from the door handles that sit flush to the body, to the precision of the side vents all give this car a sense of depth, a sense that this is more than just a machine to ferry footballers to and from training.

Inside the beautiful mastery of materials continues with hand crafted leather and comfortable seats. The cockpit is a snug affair feeling like it literally wraps around you, cocooning you with both luxury and functionality. Visibility is rather good for a car of its caliber and though lacking the rear seats, if that’s what you want to call them, of its direct competitor of the Porsche 911 the Aston never feels cramped.

Turning the key brings to life the cars 4.3 litre V8, 380BHP beating heart. The sensation that rushes through your ears is akin to a a lions roar. The noise of this machine is simply biblical. 0-60MPH is completed in 4.8 seconds and the V8 Vantage wont stop until it hits its top speed of 175MPH. Unlike a lot of modern performance cars, our test car was equipped with a manual gearbox which suited the demeanor of this machine perfectly. In motion this Aston is not a machine that will let you lie back and do everything for you. It requires a driver not just to push buttons, but to take it by the scruff of the neck and make it dance. You get as much out of the V8 as what you put in. Turn-in even in difficult conditions is sharp and precise thanks to steering that offers good levels of feedback. Tickle the throttle upon the exit of a corner and the back end comes out to play in a manor that brings nothing but a smile to your face. Putting your foot down is met with a symphony of pure power that echoes booms around the surrounding landscape and when it comes time to slow down the rotors on this coupe are more than capable. With each downshift of the extremely satisfying gearbox the car pops and bangs adding to the drama.

Though it is clear that the Aston Martin V8 Vantage is meant for those continental blasts to France and not really spend its days pounding a race track, nothing stopped it from being anything short of impressive. It is refined yet capable, relaxing yet exciting. This V8 Vantage shall not only be remembered as one of Astons greatest creations, but also one of the best cars money can buy.