Powerful, precise & dreamy Aston Martin Vantage V8 combines race car thrills with everyday comfort – it’s a world-beater

WHAT’S all this about Aston Martin on Taylor Swift’s new album?

Is it a reference to a fling with Fernando Alonso?

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Like, seriously?

This time last year, Alonso posted cheeky TikTok videos fuelling rumours of a relationship with the queen of pop.

Now fans are trying to unpick the lyrics to imgonnagetyouback, where Taylor sings:

“I’m an Aston Martin

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“That you steered straight into the ditch

“Then ran and hid”

Two observations here.

First, that name-check is pure marketing gold for Aston no matter what the true meaning behind it is. Swifty’s new album has melted Spotify.

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Second, IF she really was an Aston Martin, she’d be the new Vantage V8 — because it’s an absolute world-beater with a glorious set of lungs.

Powerful. Precise. Dreamy.

Proper race car thrills combined with the everyday comfort of a tailored, tech-rich cabin.

Which was exactly the brief from billionaire boss Lawrence Stroll. He demanded Ferrari-like performance and Bentley-like luxury to push Vantage further upstream from Porsche and Maserati. Job done.

Let me talk you through the headlines.

Under that bulging bonnet is the usual 4-litre twin-turbo V8 sourced from AMG. Except this time power has been hiked 30 per cent to 665hp — bejeezus — and torque is up 15 per cent to 800Nm. Rapid.

But what really scrambles my eggs is the absolute witchcraft going on beneath you to help you corner like a pro.

I think I’ve got this right. Vantage is 100 per cent stiffer across the suspension tops front and rear, which makes the car feel more agile and precise.

 You can really lean on the front end in a corner and the car pivots around you.

Want to do big skids at a track day? There are nine traction control settings that progressively make the rear-end more lively, with the last one being everything off.

As in, crashy-slidey off.

Alonso had a play in one and then ordered one immediately. What does that tell you?

Director of vehicle performance Simon Newton said: “He was very positive about the car and found it quite exploitable.”

Further proof the engineers nailed it first time is the F1 safety car.

Technically, it is much the same as the road car. They just added flashing lights and a race car front splitter and rear wing.

Another major plus is the lush interior.

 Now one hundred per cent gorgeous. The touchscreen carries loads of tech. There’s a flight deck-style control panel for the things we use most — air con, volume, drive modes and a louder exhaust note.

 The leather is butter-soft Bridge of Weir. The sound system is Bowers & Wilkins.

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As good as Taylor Swift singing next to you.

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