2012 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster (photos)

For a few years now, Aston Martin's GT cars have all been powered by V-12 engines and have been priced around the $200,000 mark. But the new V8 Vantage, available in Coupe and Roadster form, gives the company a more accessible model. The Coupe starts at $116,670 and the Roadster at $131,170. Still pricey, but a lot less than other models bearing the Aston Martin wings.

Styling remains excellent on the V8 Vantage Roadster, with classic proportions and a sleek profile.

The new V-8 engine displaces 4.7 liters and makes 420 horsepower, but does not employ newer technologies such as direct injection.

The car, in classic roadster fashion, only seats two.

The cloth convertible top rises at the touch of a button, or folds itself away underneath a tonneau cover behind the seats.

Black brake calipers are a $1,020 option on the V8 Vantage Roadster.

The fixed suspension is very rigid, as is the body, making the car handle very well in turns.

The trunk does not offer much room, just enough for an overnight bag. Get ready to share luggage.

The cabin is made up of natural materials, leather and metal, with few plastics in evidence.

Pop-up roll bars behind the seats protect the occupants' heads in a rollover.

The steering wheel has a heavy feel, and delivers very precise control.

The phone button activates a voice command system.

This little knob at the bottom of the stack controls all of the car electronics, but not very well.

Aston Martin went with a Garmin navigation system, which seems a bit cheap for a car priced well over $100,000.

The Garmin system shows traffic data, but does not have 3D maps.

Aston Martin went with monochrome menus on the Garmin system that more closely match the other displays in the car.

The display shows the phone menu, with the address book, recent calls, and the Bluetooth connection menu.

Although the V8 Vantage Roadster comes with iPod integration, it does not have Bluetooth audio streaming or onboard music storage.

Browsing a music library is tedious on this small screen.

Along with song data, this three-line display also shows climate control and phone information.