REVIEW: AUTOart Aston Martin Vantage 2019 • DiecastSociety.com

REVIEW: AUTOart Aston Martin Vantage 2019

This is the story of beauty and the beast.  Actually, it’s a simple review of the new AUTOart 1:18 Aston Martin Vantage 2019.  The beauty is in the design and the beast is the 503 horsepower under the bonnet, which by the way is borrowed from Mercedes-AMG.  The latest incarnation of the Aston Martin Vantage was thirteen years in making.  Yes, thirteen!

Some believe the latest design does not hit the mark on looks as the last platform did, these individuals need to apply for an eyewear exam.  All kidding aside, the Vantage is striking for every angle and has the performance to match.  All this adds to what we believe is the perfect sportscar.  No?

The Vantage has a shortlist of available colours from AUTOart’s portfolio, we wanted to play it safe, so the easy choice was Skyfall Silver.  In person, the colour is an absolute treat and embraces every inch of the eye-cathing design.  Team AUTOart is usually on point with paint application, no argument from our team here.

Overall shape and design are on point too.  Images we studied prove the model to be very accurate to the original design, most if not all styling cues are there.  This example from AUTOart also provides 360 access – access to the engine, rear storage and interior side are permitted.  That being said, the model overall does provide an exceptional job at executing panel gaps and shut lines.  One area we wanted to mention was the upper window trim dressed in chrome – beautifully executed, and an element of design a lower-priced brand many has overlooked.

The front of the Vantage is essentially occupied with a massive front grille, one reminiscent of the Aston Martin Vulcan – their track-inspired monster.  We love the look and also appreciate the fully perforated metal grille, curved to match the front design.  The surrounding grille trim is painted in high-gloss Black.  Headlight details are decent and feature the integrated turn signal.

Access to the motor is permitted.  The front sweeping hood is aided by quality hinge work and struts.  Operation on our example was flawless.  Inside the modern motor design does reveal much of the features observed on its big brother, though we find some areas are too bulky and require a little more definition or too plastic looking in appearance.

Some of the positives include badge presence, painted elements, the one we weigh the most is the painted chrome bolts/screws in the lower front shroud section.   Amazing how something so small inspires us!   The discriminating collector looking for the level of detail where the wiring for the strut towers is included for active suspension is not going to find it here.

The backside is more or less along the same lines.  AUTOart does an exceptional job replicating each element of design.  High-praise at executing the rear braking/taillights – the design here flows from one side to the other.  Quality emblem and directly underneath Aston Martin script are faithfully reproduced.

The lower bumper section mirrors the original well right down to the perforation in the bumper.  Though, on closer inspection, AUTOart executes this detail by adding a separate piece of metal to simulate the look.  In reality, this design is intergraded within the bumper design.  Limitations aside, it still looks good.  And not to mention the centre reverse light (underneath the Vantage plate), something that could be easily missed due to size.

Inside the storage area, we find full carpeting throughout, this is truly done well.  Hints of Red accents in the upper section are found on the cargo divider and forward section.  The hatch door itself does feature quality hinges and struts, there is even a grab handle on the finished side of the hatch door.

Before we move inside, let’s take a look at the wheels.  To be honest, we’re huge fans of the chosen wheel option.  Though we’ll definitely give bonus marks for the uniqueness aspect.  As for AUTOart’s results here, excellent to say the least.  The wheels have a beautiful finish – the painted inners of the spokes parallel well with the unpainted bits.  Tires here are branded too.  Inner working of the braking equipment is excellent with the painted Red calipers with Aston Matin badging and slotted rotors front and rear – love the depth of detail on the slotted rotors!

Overall, the interior of the Aston Martin Vantage is safe.  The doors do provide the coined Aston Martin upswing.  The door cards themselves are nicely detailed too, though the speakers cover on each side could have used a little more refinement in the grille area.  The air-bag warning decal was a surprise.  It definitely made us chuckle.  See the above image.

Inside the cabin is appointed primarily in Black, there are some Red accents in the seating and door cards.  Looking at the dash,  Silver/chrome bits within here and within surrounding interiors elements help with the overall look. Interior carpeting mirrors the quality work from the aforementioned storage compartment.   AUTOart even added the knee guards within the lower centre console area.  Way cool!

Here’s what we didn’t like or should we say required a little more consideration.  Seatbelts are hard to see but available, though the material is rubber.  AUTOart also missed the Silver/Chrome trim around the primary instrument gauges just behind the steering wheel.  And finally, not sure if this an optional piece, the upper shroud on the centre console is painted matt Black, this should be carbon fibre.

For the most part, AUTOart does have a talent for producing some truly cool sportscars, especially those that highlight the Aston Martin badge.  The 2019 Aston Martin Vantage is along the same lines.  It is very good in short.

The model’s exterior and interior side does provide a gratifying finish.  It would be a welcomed addition to any Aston Martin fan or sports car fan in general on looks alone.  The added 360 access is always welcomed. And accessing the model’s features were repeated and executed with ease.  These results are what makes AUTOart so good, and places the Aston Martin Vantage on the recommended list.  Enjoy the pics!

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19 Responses to "REVIEW: AUTOart Aston Martin Vantage 2019"

  1. Karsten says:

    Eyewear exam for me, this will not join my collection. Without the grille, it’s an MX5 front and a Kia Stinger rear. My Mondeo looks more Aston than this. I will get the DBS Superleggera instead. Good to know that AA are still capable, though.

    • DS Team says:

      LOL, honestly you should reconsider your position ;)

    • Atalante says:

      The design of this car didn’t hep their sales at all, very disappointing to say the least with huge discount to move the metal out of dealers. This, and also some mismanagement led to Aston struggling, stock price plummeted and long time CEO Andy Palmer stepped down. A consortium led by Lawrence Stroll now leads the company. Not sure if we need an eye exam but choosing an similarly priced Porsche 911 is sign of mental health.

      • DS Team says:

        Aston Martin’s demise started well before the latest version of Vantage… That being said, it proves the pendulum swings both ways when it comes to looks and design. In the end, it is subjective for each.

        On a side note, the AM curse has now touched F1, damn you Lawrence Stroll!

        • Atalante says:

          That’s right with seven bankruptcies in 107 years Aston’s problem are nothing new. They are a survivor a bit like Maserati.

          Don’t get me wrong the design of the car is fine, the front end could be better but when it’s time to spend this kind of money on a car there are better options on the market.

          • DS Team says:

            Like you mentioned Porsche. The new 911 GT3 is priced about the same, both 503 HP. I’m sure the refined Porsche would do circles around it. Though in the looks department you have to hand it to AM for taking some risks.

            PS – AUTOart if you’re listening, can you PLEASE start making some modern Porsches, classic too! We want to avoid static examples from Minichamps!

  2. Vitaliy D says:

    Looking at these photos, the model looks like metallic silver. But it is “Skyfall Silver”, so in reality it has a light-blue tinge, right?

    • DS Team says:

      The team is not made on any professional within the photography realm when it comes to photos, we do try our best to produce photos as realistic as possible. Sometimes better, something not so much. If colour is a deciding factor or the colour thereof, we suggest you visit the model in the flesh first.

    • Vitaliy D says:

      I do like photos of DS Team!
      I just wanted to clarify whether this particular model has a light-blue tinge in its silver color or not?

  3. Li says:

    Definitely one of AutoArt’s best efforts! Gorgeous even in plain silver, but I’ll opt for the ming blue version!

  4. WS says:

    Sharp looking model. I wish the design was nicer. It will be interesting to see how the design ages over time. I do have the previous Vantage V8 model. Its nice. It’s diecast..

    A while ago I did pick up AA’s current offering on the Ford GT base on the review post on this site.

    I’m quite happy with all though it is not a fully access metal shell.

    On the off chance that AutoART looks at these forums…It would be nice if there were more concept cars on offer.

    Visually they’re more appealing.

  5. ARNEart says:

    The Airbag sticker is really funny… although… it seems to be on the wrong side of the dashboard, at least for a RHD car. Or would you place a baby or a toddler right behind the steering wheel?

  6. Joseph says:

    I’m with you, love the design! I don’t know what particular part of the interior you’re referring to about the carbon, but I’m confident it’s possible to spec it without any carbon. They have silver and black options too.

    I underestimated the attention to detail on this car overall because the paint error on the rear diffuser of the upcoming lime and red ones was one of the first things I noticed, and I took that as representative of the model. On those two, look at the lower center body-coloured piece of the rear diffuser. The paint comes up higher and wraps around the horizontal in real life, but not on the model, as if they couldn’t reach in the crevice to paint. Why did they choose to spec it in a way they can’t manage to paint right when it entirely optional?

    • DS Team says:

      “I’m with you, love the design! I don’t know what particular part of the interior you’re referring to about the carbon, but I’m confident it’s possible to spec it without any carbon. They have silver and black options too.”

      Just about the knee guards, the surround/shroud. As you stated it could be optional.

  7. Porsche993 says:

    I really like the car, I really do, but I am in my early 40s now so definitely need an eye exam LOL! It definitely built on the DB10 (Bond car) though should’ve kept the vaned grille from the aforementioned as is now an option on the latest model year. I hope AA makes one later on as it’s just a front panel that needs to be replaced. Plus, I personally would like to see a manual example modeled.

  8. Veneno says:

    Great that Aa has improved their details, even comparing it with the DB11. Although, I hope they will release a version with the traditional grill.

  9. . says:

    They should make a vaned grille version in this Skyfall silver

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