A gentleman's supercar, the Aston Martin Vantage is regal, debonair and sophisticated. Just like Bond

Think about it, what has been, and still is, the type of car that someone will buy when seeking to inject some excitement and pizzazz in their lives? That's right, a two-door supercar. And, when it comes to two-door supercars, they don't come much more regal, debonair and sophisticated than an Aston Martin Vantage (cue James Bond references).

Yes, you've seen your fair share of iconic two-door, Aston Martin supercars in many James Bond films, and of course there's a reason why the marque is so revered in the automotive fiefdom. So, why an Aston Martin? And why a Vantage? Bet you wanna find out. Let's dive in.

Rich heritage, proudly handbuilt

The term 'handbuilt' is over-used by many car manufacturers today, but for 108 years, 'handbuilt in UK' has been, and still is, one of the main pillars of Aston Martin's storied legacy. Yes, till this very day, every Aston Martin is proudly handbuilt in the United Kingdom.

Unlike its DBX SUV sibling, the Vantage continues to roll out from Aston Martin's headquarters in Gaydon, England. So, what does 'handbuilt in UK' mean? Put it simply, it is Aston Martin's promise of the very best British craftsmanship, build quality and attention to detail. If it's good enough for agent 007, it's good enough for anyone.

Representing that promise of ultimate British craftsmanship is the Aston Martin emblem sitting on both ends of the DBX's exterior. These emblems are handmade by Vaughtons, a specialist British manufacturer specialising in products such as automotive badges, and have been around since 1819. 

As you can clearly see, nothing about an Aston Martin is run-of-the mill, because it takes pride in bringing meaning to the 'handbuilt' term in every sense of the word. Every new model that leaves the factory gates. An Aston Martin is not just a 'point A to point B' car, it is the very best of British engineering and bespoke artistry.

Athlete in a sharp designer suit

Let's not beat around the bush, the Vantage bears all the exterior hallmarks of the Aston Martin supercar DNA. From the signature, unmistakable grille, to its athletic yet elegant profile, the Vantage's exterior is one that is beauty to the eye, no matter who the beholder. Long snout (which now features a new vaned front grille), short rump, wide stance, perfection.

Gone are the days where supercars were only good to drive hard but a pain to live with every day (mostly because of their highly-strung nature). Be it for long-distance journeys or carving up twisty back roads, the Vantage will never fail to cossett or enthrall in equal measure.

This is courtesy of its Skyhook adaptive damping system, which has multiple driving modes to enable the the Vantage to soothe its driver when pootling in day to day traffic, but also bless the Vantage with sharp, dynamic handling befitting a car of this stature, reflective of its perfect 50:50 weight distribution. 

You'd also expect an Aston Martin to have reserves of performance in the finest supercar traditions, and it doesn't disappoint. A handbuilt, 4.0-litre, twin-turbo V8 engine nestles in the Vantage's snout, delivering 510 PS and 685 Nm. The 0 - 100 km/h sprint is dispatched in 3.6 seconds, before going on to hit a top speed of 314 km/h.

True to supercar traditions, all the grunt is sent to the rear wheels via a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission, which brings with it a brilliant duality to proceedings when out on the road. It's happy to keep things smooth and unobtrusive. Up the ante and the transmission wakes up accordingly, firing off razor-sharp gearchanges to go with the V8's angry bellow.

Despite all the performance and refinement on offer, the Vantage still remains a remarkably usable car for two persons. There's still 350 litres of boot space to take on a weekend jaunt, which is why you have such a car in your garage in the first place!

A lavish, evocative interior that indulges your senses

As much as the Vantage receives plaudits for its distinctive exterior, the interior is by no means a poor relative. Many supercars overdo the sporty bit by having wafer-thin seats, carbon fibre everything and a barebones cabin. Not so the Vantage.

An Aston Martin has to make its occupants feel special, celebrated and pampered, and the Vantage delivers that and more. It is the perfect amalgamation of lavish opulence and a wonderful sense of regal sporting ambience.

Almost every corner that isn't draped in Alcantara is finished in the finest and most opulent of leather upholsteries. Yes, even the leather upholstery adorning the Vantage has a tale of its own. Called the Caithness leather, it is sourced from a company in Scotland called Bridge of Weir, itself a family-owned outfit that is steeped in rich history.

Since 1905, Bridge of Weir have taken pride in being leather artisans of the highest order, and it is evident when you step into the Vantage, or any Aston Martin for that matter. The leather is supple, with a beautifully premium texture when you run your hands through it. This just adds to the sense of occasion inside, in tandem with the rich performance heritage of the Vantage.

Want a Vantage in your driveway? Now is the time

If you've been looking for a reason to drive an Aston Martin Vantage home, there's no better time than now. Starting from RM 678,000 (excluding taxes, duties and options), there's definitely a Vantage that's perfect for you. 

Furthermore, there will be 2 more bespoke Vantage models that will be gracing the Aston Martin KL showroom very soon. The first one is finished in China Grey colour, replete with a gloss black roof and smoked tail lamps. Inside, the upholstery is trimmed in a Onxy Black/Chancellor Red combination finish.

The second bespoke Vantage is finished in Concourse Blue paint colour, which is also combined with a gloss black roof and smoked tail lamps. As for the interior, the upholstery is embellished with a Onxy Black/Aurora Blue colour combination. 

Above all, you are getting one in the peace of mind that, it is a officially-imported Aston Martin that comes a factory-backed warranty program. To view the Aston Martin Vantage, you can head down to the showroom in Kuala Lumpur. But first, don't forget to make an appointment here. 

This post is sponsored by Aston Martin Kuala Lumpur