2014 Aston Martin Vantage N430 Photos, engines & full specs

Aston Martin created another special edition for its aging Vantage in 2014, but it wasn't just about some fancy new colors and designer wheels; it was a sportier Vantage with a tuned suspension and a more potent engine than the rest of the V8 range.

The Vantage N430 was the last edition of the Vantage, and the British car manufacturer produced it in 2014 because, starting with 2015, Europe switched to Euro 6 emission standards, and the mighty grand tourer vehicle couldn't pass them. Nevertheless, this special edition was a car that involved the driver more than most other Aston Martin vehicles produced after it.

Aston Martin introduced the Vantage in 2005 and kept upgrading it and reshaping it over the years. Still, the basic shape of the car remained the same. At the front, the N430 featured the same headlights with an organic shape and adorned by LED daytime running lights. The main grille was surrounded by a yellow trim and adorned with vertical and horizontal slats. Under the bumper, in the air dam, the automaker placed a second air intake to help cool the engine. It was obviously a car designed for days and good weather since the N430 didn't have any fog lamps. Despite several updates and refreshes, the car had the same profile as the 2005 Vantage. The raked windshield and short roof were followed by a sloped-down rear windscreen, which ended into a duck-tail on top of the rear fascia. Finally, at the back, the taillights sported clear lenses, and below the bumper, the automaker installed a wide diffuser, which incorporated the exhausts, one on each side of the vehicle.

Inside, the cabin showed its age even though the automaker tried to conceal it with Alcantara trims and leather. Still, the high-bolstered sports seats with high backs and integrated headrests resembled those from a race car. In front of the driver was the same instrument cluster as in the rest of the range, with wide and clear dials for the speedometer and tachometer flanked by the fuel gauge on the left and the water temperature on the right. But the entire ambiance was also luxurious. Aston Martin knew that its customers didn't want a race car for the road with a stiff suspension and a loud interior with no stereo in it. As a result, the British car manufacturer installed a Bang&Olufsen sound system so the car's occupants could enjoy longer rides.

Under the hood was the same 4.7-liter V8 carried over from the Vantage S, which sent 430 HP (436 PS) to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual or a seven-speed automated gearbox developed by Prodrive. Furthermore, the limited-slip differential helped the car put all that oomph to the road and provide excellent performance for the Vantage N430.