For Users Aiming for Sportier Driving

The N430, said to be named after the Nürburgring, is a high-performance specification of the Aston Martin V8 Vantage.V8 VantageThis model, launched in Japan by Aston Martin Asia Pacific in July 2014, was test-driven in the UK.

The Aston Martin V8 Vantage N430 was developed as a tuned version based on the company's V8 Vantage. It began as the N400 package with 400 horsepower in 2007, and in 2011, the 'N420' was announced with an increased output of 420 horsepower, gaining considerable popularity.N420

The N430 is equipped with a 4.7-liter V8 engine that further increases output to 436ps. Compared to the base V8 Vantage, the increased power and a 20kg weight reduction appeal more strongly to users seeking sportier driving. It achieved a class victory and an impressive result in the 2014 Nürburgring 24 Hours race.



I test drove the N430 in the UK around the same time it was announced in Japan.

The location was Gaydon, England, where Aston Martin's headquarters are located, driving on the country roads surrounding the area. Like on the European continent, roads connect village to village, and within villages, a strict speed limit of 30 mph (approximately 48 km/h) is enforced.

However, outside the villages, 60 mph is permitted. The hilly terrain, with its frequent ups, downs, and curves, combined with light traffic, made even driving on public roads a thoroughly enjoyable experience for a sports car.

Aston Martin's Attention to Color Schemes

The N430 Coupe, encountered in the summer sunlight of Britain, possessed the sophisticated flair that Aston Martin has maintained. The one I drove was the 'Heritage' specification, featuring a dark blue body with red accents on the front grille, A-pillars, and rearview mirrors. This playful styling touch brought a smile to my face.

Furthermore, the N430 series offers five color schemes in total, including 'Race' with sage green and yellow, 'Stealth' in a black base, and 'Speedway' with striking white accents on a Skyfall Silver finish. While the racing-inspired specifications complement the beautiful body lines, they also offer owners the subtle yet distinct joy of making a unique choice.



Focusing on color schemes might seem to deviate from the fundamental principles of styling, which emphasize expressing beauty through the balance, construction, and combination of surfaces and lines of the body. However, I find it appealing. Aston Martin, after all, pursues design consistency meticulously, from the workwear worn by factory employees to the letterheads.

The elaborate color schemes this time can be seen as part of Aston Martin's commitment. At the very least, they evoke a sense of excitement, which also sets it apart from other sports car manufacturers.

The transmission is available as either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed semi-automatic. My car was equipped with the 'Sportshift 2' specification, which uses paddles behind the steering wheel for gear changes and has no clutch pedal. This might be the more popular choice in Japan. On the other hand, the manual transmission offers a close-ratio gearing option for track use, demonstrating Aston Martin's constant consideration for both racing and city driving. This, too, is part of its charm.

Remarkably Smooth

'The N430 is a sports car that strongly evokes racing heritage,' said a spokesperson from Aston Martin headquarters. Driving on the winding country roads of the UK, with their narrow lanes, open stretches, large curves, and tight corners, makes this statement truly resonate. There's a strong sense of directness in everything, offering a wonderful sense of unity between the driver and the car.

The road conditions, with their repeated acceleration and deceleration, allow for experiencing various facets of the car beyond comfort on long tours and maneuverability in the city. When a relatively long straight appears after passing through a village, a quick press of the accelerator pedal results in astonishing acceleration without any change in posture. The suspension is slightly firm, but the reward is well worth it.



The engine delivers increasing power from 4,000rpm, and between 4,000rpm and the 7,000rpm redline, one can fully appreciate the N430's most exceptional qualities. The Sportshift 2's setting, which respects the driver's intentions, is also excellent, offering both the ease of a two-pedal system and exhilarating sporty driving.

The Sportshift, which selects gears via paddles, reacts quickly. The smooth engagement when shifting up after revving to high RPMs is superb, and when downshifting rapidly for a tight corner by firmly applying the brakes, the shifts are equally swift. It responds precisely to the driver's intentions. It's so smooth that it almost feels like a game. It's a sports car that anyone can drive, though perhaps it's unfair to compare it to women.

Does Aston Martin Need a Mid-Engine Layout?

Aston Martin has consistently adhered to the traditional front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout. Its VH platform, known for its aluminum core bonded with composite materials to achieve both lightness and strength, might require substantial investment to develop a chassis for a new layout. This could be a contributing factor.

When asked if Aston Martin needs a mid-engine configuration, the response is, 'We do not feel the necessity.' To support this, they consistently participate in races like the Nürburgring 24 Hours and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, achieving class victories as proof of their current chassis's excellence.

Indeed, when driving a car like the N430, which offers a more direct and pure sports car experience, Aston Martin's assertion holds true.



The steering is responsive, and although the 4.7-liter V8 engine is not small, its movement when entering curves of small radii is exceptionally smooth, without any hint of its size. Furthermore, the transition from mid-corner to accelerating out towards the exit, where the rear wheels receive significant power and push the driver back with a strong sensation, is a testament to its stable handling and superb engineering.

Under the high summer sky, driving on English roads, a broad smile spreads across the driver's face. Or rather, my face. Because it brings such happiness, the N430 stands apart from the myriad of other sports cars.

Aston Martin continues to race to prove its excellence, but rather than contemplating theoretically whether a mid-engine or front-engine layout is better for a sports car, experiencing the drive makes it clear that the N430 is an outstanding sports car. In my opinion, what matters most is that you like it.

Aston Martin V8 Vantage N430
Body Dimensions |
(Coupe) Length 4,385 x Width 2,022 (including door mirrors) x Height 1,260 mm
(Roadster) Length 4,385 x Width 2,022 (including door mirrors) x Height 1,270 mm
Wheelbase | 2,600 mm
Weight | (Coupe) 1,610 kg (Roadster) 1,690 kg
Engine | 4,735 cc V8 DOHC
Compression Ratio | 11.3
Maximum Output | 321 kW (436 ps) / 7,300 rpm
Maximum Torque | 490 Nm / 5,000 rpm
Transmission | 6-speed MT / 7-speed AT (Sportshift II Automated Manual Transmission)
Drivetrain | FR
Front Suspension | Double Wishbone
Rear Suspension | Double Wishbone
Tires Front/Rear | 245/40R19 / 285/35R19
Brakes Front/Rear | φ380mm Ventilated Disc / φ330mm Ventilated Disc
0-100km/h Acceleration | 4.8 seconds
Maximum Speed | 305 km/h
Fuel Economy (European figures) | (6MT) 8.7 km/L (Sportshift II) 9.3 km/L