What we'll miss about the outgoing Aston Martin Vantage

What does the old British sports car have that the new one doesn’t?

Released in 2006, the Aston Martin Vantage was the brand’s entry-level sports car, aimed at Porsche’s 911.

After 11 years in production and, receiving minor updates, the Vantage is set for a complete refresh next year.

While the new model will introduce a host of improvements, there are things we’ll miss about the previous gen.

Style

The proportions of the outgoing Vantage are perfect, and the design is simple but manages to look beautiful and muscular at the same time.

While you can’t call the new Aston Martin Vantage ugly, its looks aren’t for everyone, with styling not as pure as the older model.

Someone in the office even pointed out how the rear end looks similar to the Kia Stinger and there is a resemblance in the tail-lights.

Naturally aspirated engines

Big naturally aspirated engines are a dying breed, which brings a tear to the eye of any car enthusiast because there are some things turbos can’t replicate.

Despite not being the most powerful engines on the market, the V8 and V12 produced a glorious noise, Jeremy Clarkson declared the V8 Vantage was the best sounding car of the year in 2005.

The new engine is a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 (supplied by AMG) producing 375kW/685Nm but we’re yet to learn if it can match the old powerplants for acoustic arousal.

Manual gearbox

A rare sight in modern day performance cars.

Much like big displacement engines, the manual gearbox is heading the way of the dinosaurs.

The 2018 Vantage will be offered, only with an eight-speed automatic, meaning drivers won’t have the same level of involvement which was possible in the previous car.

There's not much that can top driving a V8/V12 powered sports car and shifting gears with an old school manual.

What will you miss about the old Vantage? Let us know in the comments.