The 2011 model year Aston Martin Vantage S was the open-top version of the Vantage S coupe model. It was an updated version of the 2005 Vantage Roadster. In 2007, a group of companies led by David Richards from the race-engineering Prodrive company bought the Aston Martin from Ford, while the American giant kept a share in the stakes. The new owner started to improve the vehicles and the S versions for the Vantage and Vantage roadster started to take shape. In 2011, Aston Martin revealed the new V8 Vantage S versions. Only a trained eye or a professional would find the differences between the 2005 and the 2011 model. Mainly, the front grille had six horizontal slats on the Vantage S and eight on the regular Vantage. New wheel design was introduced and some carbon-fiber elements on the front apron were added to the vehicle. The inside was reworked and a new infotainment unit replaced the older one, which was a carry-over from Volvo. The buttons layout on the center console was also affected, and the bottom knobs were moved upward, to add comfort and usability. Under the skin there were major improvements. The 2005 Vantage was introduced with a 4.3-liter engine, which was replaced in 2010 with a 4.7-liter unit that offered 420 hp. The 2011 model S offered 10 more hp over the previous year. It was mated to a single-clutch Graziano automated gearbox that sent the power via a limited-slip differential to the rear wheels.