36 DEPARTURES TRAVEL ROAD TRIP Great British Drive Aston Martin’s new supercar proves its high-performance credentials on one of the UK’s best road circuits. by Andrew Wright THE HUSHED, REVERENTIAL TONES that inevitably accompany talk of the Evo Triangle don’t prepare you for the experience itself. The route, made famous by the car magazine of the same name, surrounds the Alwen Reservoir at the eastern edge of Conwy county in North Wales – a truly majestic setting with the peaks of Snowdonia framing the skyline. Piloting the new Aston Martin Vantage down through Denbigh and south towards the hills, an intoxicating exhaust note taunts us to nudge a little harder on each straight. It picks up speed with a snarl and barks menacingly on the up-changes. Tautening the adaptive suspension a notch settles the Vantage noticeably in the corners, and we press on. There are no grand tourer pretensions; it is too focused, too engaging (and far too loud) for the long haul. Basic drive mode is Sport; Track is just a couple of button presses away to unleash all its fury. Then the mood starts to change. We have enjoyed a seemingly eternal heatwave but the weather is closing in with otherworldly hues. Gone is the sunshine. Gone is the mobile-phone signal. And strangely absent, too, are any other cars on the road. We are driving into mist. The Vantage continues to grip well and the power delivery is pleasingly
IAN BICKERSTAFF progressive. It is capable of wellbeyond-legal speeds, yet thankfully it has an enticing sweet spot lower down in the rev range to enjoy the exhaust’s sound. It’s about setting it up in the corners, reading the road ahead and hearing the V8 roar. The Evo Triangle showcases the new Vantage’s abilities well. The car hunkers down on the undulating ribbon of road and deals with its irregular surfaces with ease. The smooth paddles feel great on the fingertips and it’s a delight to work up and down its eight gears. Compared to the previous-generation Vantage, it’s a step up in driver engagement and it’s a leap in terms of technology. The ergonomics of the core controls are great, although some of the minor functions take a little more seeking within the busy fascia. After a while, we’re not alone: there’s a car keeping up with us. Retaining a fixed distance yet very clearly holding us in its sights. After three or four miles, it’s still there. It slows as we do and we both pick up speed when the road is clear. Aston Martin’s new baby is intense and constantly teases, tempting the driver to explore its abilities: it takes a great deal of mental control to keep it reined in. “Drive me hard,” it shouts. But I’m not being goaded and ease the Vantage over to let the other car pass. A lunch stop breaks our drive. Other drivers share misdemeanours and some of the Triangle’s darker secrets. The area is heavily policed, and for good reason. Yes, it turns out, it was an unmarked patrol car tailing us earlier. Away again, the skies finally break open to reveal the stunning North Wales scenery. Our near-invisible China Grey Vantage sheds its stealth cloak and catches the sunlight. The Evo Triangle really is a great drive. The new Vantage is quite something too. FAST FACTS Hand-built in Gaydon, Warwickshire, UK 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 BODY: bonded aluminium TORQUE: 685Nm ACCELERATION: 0-100kph 3.6 seconds TOP SPEED: 314kph WEIGHT: 1,530kg WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION: 50:50 DEPARTURES 37
