Daily Slideshow: V8 Face Off: Aston Martin Vantage vs the LC500
Canadian Journalist pits the Lexus LC500 against the Aston Martin V8 Vantage. Which would you pick?
Provocation
When current Aston Martin chief Andy Palmer uttered the premeditated challenge,"Japan doesn't have a luxury-car company. And I hope that Japan would adopt Aston Martin as its luxury-car company," last November at the Tokyo Motor Show, there were probably more than a few journalists ready to contest his assertion. Brendan McAleer, from Canada's Globe and Mail, was one of them, though in his recent article for that publication he clarified that "Palmer was speaking of luxury in the sense of a Rolls-Royce or a Maybach, top-tier companies that sit above the premium BMW or Mercedes brands that Lexus ordinarily competes against."
Today's Lexus
McAleer decided to put the Aston head's bold words to the test by journeying to Open Road Lexus in Richmond, British Columbia, to borrow a Lexus LC500 coupe. According to McAleer, "more than a few voices are whispering that Lexus has built itself something of an Aston Martin," with the V-8 powered LC500. Indeed, the Globe and Mail journalist started at the right place to go toe-to-toe with the Aston mystique, as Open Road also houses a Toyota 2000GT, a car which, like Aston Martin, has a James Bond pedigree, being 007's drive of choice in You Only Live Twice. Also under Open Road's roof is a prime example of the luxury supercar—a Lexus LFA, in all its V10 glory.
In this Corner
McAleer selected a 2009 V8 Vantage, borrowed from the very generous Nigel Matthews, a Pebble Beach Concours judge who has had occasion to work on an actual DB5 Bond car, from Goldfinger. "V-8 versus V-8 seems like a fair match, and where the Lexus will hold a technological advantage (being newer), the Aston Martin hits back at the heartstrings with a proper six-speed manual," reasons McAleer. At first glance, he observes, "the Vantage's proportions are far more classical and unfussy [than those of the LC500]," while Matthews said, "I think it'll actually age reasonably well," about the Lexus. A very diplomatic start to this dignified duel.
Leather Land
Of the interiors, McAleer noted some of the Aston's anachronisms, such as the counter-clockwise tachometer and "the hilariously small navigation screen." He liked the handmade look of the Vantage with its slightly imperfect stitching but did allow that the Aston factory's only robot, called 'James Bonder', is used to apply glue where needed. Since McAller doesn't mention any interior trim pieces falling off of the Vantage during his time with it, it seems that the factory gave James Bonder a stern talking to since his work on the less solid DB7GT-V12 models. Turning to the Lexus, he mentions its "huge" central digital tachometer and praises it for, "the very high quality of the construction," saying, "From the perfectly crafted seats to the solid metal heft of the door handles, the LC 500 looks worth its considerable price tag ($115,100 for the Performance version)."
Come out Swinging
On the road, McAleer found the Aston to be "an agile sports car that's quick and compact." Driving the Performance-package-equipped LC500, with its 21-inch wheels and carbon fiber roof, he repeatedly mentioned its heft compared to the Aston, feeling, "the Lexus's 50-horsepower advantage is blunted by considerable weight," though he singles out the LC's 10-speed automatic for keeping acceleration brisk. He gave the Lexus high marks for its grip and composure in the corners, but added, "The Aston is practically dainty by comparison." In the end, McAleer issued a mixed verdict: "The Aston has the edge on outright feel, the LC on overall competence." With no clear winner and no definitive decision about a "luxury-car" leader, we feel safe in guessing that maybe the Aston Chief Executives former job as the chief planning officer at Nissan Motor Corp didn't give him all the information he needed to count Lexus out of the prestige auto ring.
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