There is only one car brand in the world that can command James Bond nostalgia and that is Aston Martin. I only get reminded of this when I step into the Aston Martin Vantage Roadster in central London to start noticing the onlookers. Whilst being introduced to this blue stallion, I noticed a woman peeking out of her victorian window waving at me. I had not even started the twin-turbo V-8 roaring engine making more than 500 horsepower. As the first impression goes I was hooked. I could not get tired no matter what time of the day it was, there was a “Bond” between me and the Vantage Roadster.
This iconic convertible offers a striking silhouette in what I deem, a couture-inspired suite of beautifully designed pressed sheet metal. This desirable convertible from a distance is a lifestyle car of pure elegance. No matter where I parked it on the streets of London, Shakespeare County, Stratford Upon Avon, or the famous countryside called the Cotswold, the Aston Martin Vantage Roadster Convertible was a show-stopper.
Central London
Stratford Upon Avon
Melodic Exhaust Notes
With the soft top down like a car heading for the runway on this occasion, central London. I wanted to see and hear this blue beauty come alive. London is full of luxury cars and this was the time to test that couture runway. How many heads could I turn at the famous Harrods in Knightsbridge? This is the live catwalk of all catwalks when it comes to showing off your wheels.
Chipping Campden in the Cotswold is a narrow busy village to drive through. The Aston Martin Vantage Roadster was the perfect size to zig-zag through this village.
I quickly adapted to the handling and explosive acceleration with such confidence I noticed many cars were parting the red sea for me. Partly I assume that at 9 am on a cold dark British morning who has the hood down? The advantage of the Vantage is that more precisely, the compact Z-fold mechanism lowers the top in 6.7 seconds and raises it in 6.8 seconds at speeds of up to 31 mph (50 km/h). That meant when the raindrops began to fall, I never got wet as this is super fast compared to other soft tops.
With a Hermes silk scarf and oversized eyewear, I knew I was the first white female 007 in the making.
Iconic Heritage
Aston Martin has managed to combine a driver’s delight experience with a stylish-looking car. For me, it makes it a very desirable car with an iconic heritage. As a female driving it the comments kept flooding in.
With the soft top-down feeling of lots of wind in my hair driving through Stratford Upon Avon, I could constantly hear two common threads. What a stylish car and I love how a woman is driving it. I saw a few Aston Martins whilst zooming about, but I never in three weeks saw one woman bar me driving a supercar. To all the single ladies looking for male attention, this is the car that will certainly command that attention.
I was staying at the Hotel Indigo in Stratford Upon Avon. To receive a message a day later that a businessman who owns a few supercars wanted to take me out for a drink.
Beneath the Vantage’s clamshell hood lies a thrilling, loud twin-turbo 4.0-litre V-8. That for any bloke will always draw attention. This Aston Martin V-8 sounds beautiful and it is loud. Which is very much my personality. Ladies combine this niche female driver, luring her own trumpet power of confidence. That is why it makes this car experience hilariously good fun.
Aston Martin Style
What do women choose to wear in a male dominant world of sportscars? This car is all about looking at my personality. I am wearing a Benheart leather jacket and red trainers all made in Italy. All the leather is handcrafted and made in Tuscany, Florence. I am Italian and deem myself the leather speed queen of car couture.
Bespoke embroidery denim is what I decided to create for my Supercar drives. By using an upcycling Prada Indigo denim I decided to create my own GO brand. Inspiring women to get behind an Aston Martin and just GO. The Aston Martin always has embroidered headrests and the two of us combined were a match made in heaven.
For me, driving fast cars is all about passion, and driving fashion. To include the car as a backdrop of my daily way of life. Understanding my lane is all about standing out and being bespoke in who I am.
My embroidery message is very clear. Being unique is all about your personal driving style and what you wear
With a full leather interior, heated and ventilated seats, and a carbon-fibre steering wheel. It is why one must, make sure you get your red lipstick on.
MenStyleFashion We Show You How
As the founder of MenStyleFashion, a male behind-the-wheel style is ever so important. One can never go wrong with white jeans, an orange shirt, and chequered blazer. Chris shows us that the bright orange teamed with blue is a must-have when sporting an Aston Martin.
When sporting around Shakespeare Country, some leather tan loafers are fabulous for driving and stopping in for a Martini when off duty.
Are We Feeling The Blue?
This color is very popular amongst many sports cars I noticed whilst driving within the UK. Here at MenStyleFashion, we like to inspire you to embrace the blue blazer and leather shoes.
Den Williams, who has served his Queen and country within the military service. Has shown us that deep within, lies the real James Bond. Den met Queen Elizabeth during his military service. I asked him what that was like. But as a former secret agent, no further comment was made.
Den chose to wear a Massimo Dutti scarf for those cold walks on the streets of Broadway, often referred to as the Jewel of the Cotswolds. His scarf was well received when driving in the Aston Martin with the rooftop down. Den is not afraid to embrace a touch of pink, on his way to the car.
Men look very handsome wearing grey chinos with a blue blazer. How dashing does Den the Welshman look with his naturally gray hair? He is the younger version of Sean Connery himself.
Boot Space
This smaller trunk was deceptively bigger than it looked. One has to be reminded that on average this Aston Martin Vantage Roadster is a support car, meaning perfect for weekend getaways.
It was easy to open and close and for us ladies that is important when holding a large red leather handbag.
Sport Comfort
I drove this car for hours and unlike many supercars, this was very comfortable. The sports seats with power adjustments with leather and faux suede made my driving in the Cotswolds effortless.
Infotainment and Connectivity
The 8.0-inch display sprouts from the top of its dashboard and is primarily controlled via a rotary knob and buttons on the centre console. This was easy to use once getting used to it. The GPS was on point and easy to follow. The Aston Martin audio system sounded good but I rarely used it as I always wanted to hear the engine’s sound. Plus these nails are made for paddling, not music.
Conclusion
This Aston Martin was solid on the road and even in the rain, it gave me the confidence to handle Cotswold corners like never before. Ladies it is the ideal car for touring around gorgeous parts of Britain with the soft top down no matter the storms of life.
The advantage of driving the Aston Martin Vantage Roadster is it’s an excellent entry vehicle for the next step up to driving a supercar. At a price of just under £130,000, it offers a thrilling lifestyle adventure.
