Driven: 2023 Aston Martin Vantage F1 Edition Is A Podium-Level Experience

The F1 Edition is far more than a Vantage with a wing on the back; Aston has fettled this car to the point where it feels almost unrecognizable from the standard car. Recalibrated suspension, damping, springs, and bushing rates improve lateral grip while reducing understeer. Aston's engineers managed to make the car sharper without hurting the ride one iota. In fact, even on the standard 21-inch wheels, we thought the F1 felt more comfortable than the base Roadster. We understand why the Vantage F1 Edition does duty as one of the official F1 safety cars alongside the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series.

The F1 Edition's weight is only slightly different from the regular Vantage. Equipped with the optional carbon fiber bucket seats, a carbon fiber roof, and other aero bits and pieces, it has a minimum dry weight of around 3,461 lbs. It's a full inch longer than the base coupe and weighs around 88 lbs more, thanks to the model-specific upgrades.

Aston offers the Vantage with a V12 engine, but the F1 Edition still uses the 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 sourced from Mercedes-AMG. Power is up from 503 to 527 hp, while torque stays the same at 505 lb-ft. The eight-speed automatic gets a new tune, enabling more sustained torque during shifts. It's a small change, but one that becomes instantly noticeable when driving spiritedly. Shifts are crisper without ruining daily drivability.

0-60 mph is only a tenth of a second quicker than the regular Vantage Coupe at 3.6 seconds, so buyers looking for a neck-snapping experience should look elsewhere. Even with launch control, the F1 Edition doesn't jolt off the line, opting instead for a smooth, controlled start. It's worth noting that the 690-hp V12 Vantage does 60 mph in 3.4 seconds, so even a huge influx of power doesn't make this car a launch control hero.

While it's no drag strip warrior, either, it is an outstanding driver's car. Aston went for Pirelli P Zero tires, which offer decent grip without the harshness or compromise of an R compound tire. That means you can control the rear end on throttle, getting it loose on command. Some stickier tires might be better for track days, but the Pirellis are fine for road use.

There are only three modes - Sport, Sport+, and Track - for the car and the suspension, which can be adjusted separately. We loved driving the car in Track mode with Sport suspension, as the stiffest suspension made the car less comfortable without much noticeable benefit on the street. Our tester was also equipped with the optional $11,700 carbon ceramic brakes, which provide excellent feel and incredible stopping power. They are expensive, but worth it on a car like this.

As we've said in our previous Vantage reviews, you don't buy this car for the interior. The F1 Edition gets Alcantara on nearly every surface, including portions of the steering wheel and an optional suede $2,000 headliner. Our tester was a bit plain inside with the all-black interior, but buyers can opt for grey, red, or lime green accents. We had the base sport seat, which is optional on the standard Vantage, but Aston now offers a manually-adjustable carbon fiber bucket seat that saves weight and hugs occupants tighter. They look a bit extreme, so we'd hesitate to select these seats unless you plan to track the car frequently.

Aston's technology comes from a several-generation-old Mercedes COMAND system, meaning it's lackluster compared to other modern sports cars with a tiny eight-inch non-touchscreen. We look forward to the infotainment upgrade the marque is developing in-house, which would uplift the cabin here, too.

With 12.4 cubic feet of space in the trunk, the Vantage Coupe is surprisingly usable. It has a glass hatchback, but the main trunk portion is covered when the lid is down. There's an upper shelf area with a foldable divider in case you need a larger storage area.

The Vantage can handle a Costco run for a few household essentials without any problem, and you'll probably come back to a cart attendant taking pictures of it (this actually happened to us).

An Aston Martin can't be considered a "value" buy in the sense that it's an exotic car that requires a substantial outlay - but the Vantage F1 Edition feels inexpensive for what you get. A base Vantage starts at $159,800, while the F1 Edition costs $175,200. That's $15,400 more. Keep in mind that upgrading from a Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS to a GT3 is a $24,700 upcharge. In relative terms, it feels like Aston Martin is selling the F1 Edition for very little money.

If you're going to spend this kind of money on a special car, it's not a far stretch to spring for the F1 Edition. It drives sharper than the base model, attracts way more attention, and the price difference isn't going to be a dealbreaker for those shopping in this segment. Even if you don't like the big-wing look, Aston will let you delete it. While this car exists, we see no reason to buy the standard Vantage. It's that good.