Road Test: Aston Martin Vantage N430 2dr

Let me guess, N for Nürburgring, 430 for horsepower?
Yes. The N430 uses the 4.7-litre dry-sump, quad-cam V8 from the Vantage S and also uses that car's optional sports suspension set-up. Which was developed at the 'Ring.

So it's just a Vantage S with optional sports suspension?
Essentially, yes. The changes made for this N430 over and above the Vantage S are mostly cosmetic. There's a choice of five two-tone colours, various N430 badges, a carbon gear-surround, Alcantara steering wheel... that sort of thing. The sole possible dynamic advantage comes from the 20kg of weight saved by using lighter forged alloy wheels and carbon-fibre and Kevlar seats.

It still sounds like a halfway house.
It does, doesn't it? The original 2007 N400 was a trick bit of kit with a tuned version of the then 4.3-litre V8 developing 400bhp (an extra 20bhp) and bespoke springs, dampers and rear anti-roll bar. Alongside it, the new version seems rather apologetic. However, it doesn't feel like that.

So it has all the chutzpah you'd expect?
Mostly. As Astons fail to move on, they're getting ever more distant from the latest sports cars with their torque-vectoring, electric steering and so on. They're dated, but also charming, and this suits them. The Vantage is nearly 10 years old. It's been continually developed to the point that it now drives cleanly and well, is firmly damped but not harsh, steers pleasingly and gets itself down a difficult road in a fast and engaging manner. It's an analogue sports car.

And what about the engine?
Again, you'd imagine it to be off the pace, and, yes, mid-range torque does feel a bit thin. However, it's a lovely motor to use: sonorous, meaty and with a wild, thrash-metal top end. Just a shame there's some slackness in the manual gearbox's drivetrain, and the shift is notchy and hard to master. In turn, this means it's less than optimal at town speeds, clunking about clumsily.

OK, so how much more than a regular Vantage S does Aston charge?
Minus £5,000. Yep, weirdly, at £89,995 it's cheaper than the Vantage S and seems reasonable value for money, for something so effortlessly pretty and engaging. Just watch the low-speed road manners. And the satnav - that's as infuriating as ever.