Aston Martin Vantage RS Roadster Spotted Testing, Takes Aim at Porsche 911 GT3 S/C
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Aston Martin is working on an open top version of its upcoming Vantage RS, and the new Vantage RS Roadster could become one of the wildest roofless sports cars from the British brand.
Spy photographers have now caught the Roadster testing, giving us an early look at a car that appears to share much of the aggressive design and performance hardware expected from the Vantage RS coupe.
The idea is simple. Take a hardcore Vantage RS, remove the roof and accept a little extra weight in exchange for more noise, more drama and plenty of open air driving.
And there is a very specific car sitting in its crosshairs: the Porsche 911 GT3 S/C.
Aston Martin Vantage RS Roadster: What we know so far
The Vantage RS Roadster is still a prototype, so Aston Martin has not revealed its final specifications. However, the test car gives away quite a lot.
The Roadster appears to carry essentially the same aggressive aerodynamic package expected on the Vantage RS coupe.
That includes a heavily redesigned front end, a deeper front splitter, vented front fenders, a large rear diffuser and four exhaust outlets mounted in the centre.
The biggest visual change is at the back.
A massive fixed rear wing dominates the rear section of the prototype. It is not exactly the sort of spoiler you would expect on a car designed simply for weekend cruising.
The wing also raises an interesting question about the Roadster’s aerodynamics. With the fabric roof open, the airflow around the rear of the car will obviously change. Aston Martin will have to make sure the aerodynamic package works properly with the roof both open and closed.
The Vantage RS Roadster could make close to 700 hp
The biggest question is what Aston Martin will do with the engine.
The current Vantage uses a 4.0 litre twin turbocharged V8. Aston Martin’s official specification lists 680 PS, or 670 bhp, and 800 Nm of torque for the current Vantage. It also uses a rear mounted eight speed automatic transmission and an electronic differential.
For the RS, Aston Martin is expected to push the engine further.
The supplied information points towards power approaching 700 hp, or around 710 PS. That figure has not been officially confirmed by Aston Martin, so it is best treated as an expectation rather than a final specification.
Still, getting close to 700 hp would make sense for a model positioned above the regular Vantage and aimed at serious performance cars such as the Porsche 911 GT3.
The Roadster will pay a weight penalty
Removing the roof sounds like a straightforward way to make a sports car more exciting, but there is a catch.
The structure loses some rigidity when the roof disappears, so manufacturers usually add reinforcement elsewhere in the body. That adds weight.
The standard Vantage Roadster is around 60 kg heavier than the coupe, according to the supplied information. Aston Martin will likely try to reduce that difference on the RS Roadster because this car has a much more serious performance brief.
Porsche provides a useful benchmark here.
The 911 GT3 S/C is designed as an open top performance car while keeping weight under control. Porsche lists the 2027 GT3 S/C at 1,497 kg in DIN specification, with lightweight components and a six speed manual transmission.
That gives Aston Martin a clear target.
The Vantage RS Roadster does not necessarily need to match the coupe’s rigidity or track performance. The point of this version is slightly different. It should still be extremely fast, but it can offer something the coupe cannot.
A roof that gets out of the way.
Porsche 911 GT3 S/C is the obvious rival
The comparison with the Porsche 911 GT3 S/C is not accidental.
Porsche has created an open top GT3 variant specifically for drivers who want the performance and character of the GT3 without a fixed roof. The 2027 911 GT3 S/C uses a naturally aspirated 4.0 litre six cylinder boxer engine, revs to 9,000 rpm and produces 502 hp in the US specification.
It also comes with a six speed manual transmission.
That makes the Porsche a very different mechanical proposition from the Vantage, but the basic idea is similar.
Both cars combine serious performance hardware with an open top body.
The Porsche also uses lightweight chassis components and magnesium forged wheels as part of its weight saving approach.
Aston Martin appears to be taking a more muscular approach.
The Vantage RS Roadster is expected to use a powerful twin turbo V8, aggressive aerodynamic hardware and the same performance focused chassis development planned for the RS coupe.
Expect a serious aero package
The Vantage RS Roadster will not simply be a regular Vantage Roadster with an RS badge.
The prototype shows that Aston Martin is giving the car a much more aggressive aerodynamic treatment.
Key features expected to carry over include:
• A redesigned front end
• A deeper front splitter
• Vented front fenders
• Larger rear diffuser
• Four centrally mounted exhaust outlets
• A large fixed rear wing
The rear wing is probably the most noticeable feature. It gives the Roadster a very different appearance from the standard Vantage and makes its track focused intentions pretty obvious.
The RS Roadster is clearly not trying to be subtle.
How much will the Aston Martin Vantage RS Roadster cost?
There is no official price yet.
The supplied information estimates a price of around $270,000, but this should be treated only as an estimate until Aston Martin announces pricing.
For comparison, Porsche lists the 2027 911 GT3 S/C from $273,000 in the United States, before options, taxes and other charges.
That puts the two cars in a very interesting space.
If the Aston Martin eventually lands around the estimated $270,000 mark, buyers could be choosing between a high revving naturally aspirated Porsche with a manual gearbox and an expected 700 hp class Aston Martin powered by a twin turbo V8.
Those are two very different answers to the same question.
Vantage RS Roadster vs Porsche 911 GT3 S/C
| Feature | Aston Martin Vantage RS Roadster | Porsche 911 GT3 S/C |
|---|---|---|
| Body style | Open top sports car | Open top sports car |
| Engine | Expected 4.0 litre twin turbo V8 | 4.0 litre naturally aspirated flat six |
| Power | Expected close to 700 hp | 502 hp |
| Torque | Expected above current Vantage output | 331 lb ft |
| Transmission | Expected eight speed automatic | Six speed manual |
| Roof | Roadster | Convertible |
| Focus | High performance road and track use | Driver focused open top performance |
| Estimated price | Around $270,000 | From $273,000 in the US |
Porsche’s official figures give the GT3 S/C a 0 to 60 mph time of 3.7 seconds and a top track speed of 194 mph.
Aston Martin has not yet released equivalent performance figures for the Vantage RS Roadster.
More weight, but probably more character
There is an obvious compromise with the Vantage RS Roadster.
It will probably weigh more than the RS coupe and may not offer exactly the same level of rigidity or ultimate track performance.
But that does not necessarily make it the worse car.
Open the roof, start the V8 and suddenly the extra weight becomes a little easier to forgive.
That is the whole appeal of this type of car.
The Vantage RS Roadster should offer a more involving experience on the road, while the huge aero package and expected power increase keep it firmly connected to the performance side of the Vantage family.
The standard Vantage already produces 670 bhp and 800 Nm according to Aston Martin, so an RS version pushing towards 700 hp would have plenty of muscle to work with.
Aston Martin Vantage RS Roadster: What to expect
The Vantage RS Roadster is still under development, which means several important details remain unknown.
Aston Martin has not officially confirmed its final power output, weight, performance figures or price.
What the prototype does confirm is the direction.
This will be a much more aggressive Vantage, with serious aerodynamic upgrades, a large fixed rear wing, centre mounted exhausts and a roof that can disappear when the driver wants the full V8 experience.
The Porsche 911 GT3 S/C has already shown that there is still room for an extreme open top performance car.
Aston Martin now appears ready to give that idea its own British interpretation.
And if the Vantage RS Roadster really does arrive with close to 700 hp, a giant wing and an angry twin turbo V8 soundtrack, the extra weight might be the last thing anyone notices.
Sources & References
Official sources
Aston Martin USA – Vantage
Aston Martin Vantage USA
Official Vantage specifications, engine details and technical information.Aston Martin USA – Vantage Engineering
Aston Martin Vantage Engineering
Useful for the 4.0 litre twin turbo V8, 670 bhp, 800 Nm, transmission and performance figures.Porsche USA – 911 GT3 S/C
Porsche 911 GT3 S/C USA
Official US pricing, 502 hp output, 0 to 60 mph time, top speed and transmission details.Porsche Newsroom USA – 911 GT3 S/C
Porsche Newsroom USA – 911 GT3 S/C
Official Porsche announcement covering the GT3 S/C, engine, manual gearbox, weight and development details.Porsche USA – 911 Configurator
Porsche 911 Configurator USA
Official configurator and current US pricing for the 911 GT3 S/C.
Canada source
Porsche Canada – 911 GT3 S/C
Porsche Canada – 911 GT3 S/C
Official Canadian model page with specifications for the 2027 911 GT3 S/C.
Unofficial sources and spy shot references
Carscoops – Aston Martin Vantage RS Roadster
Carscoops – Vantage RS Roadster Spy Shots
Main source for the Vantage RS Roadster prototype, aggressive aero, large rear wing and expected power.Carscoops – Aston Martin Vantage RS
Carscoops – Aston Martin Vantage RS Prototype
Earlier Vantage RS spy coverage showing the wider bodywork, large wing and revised front end.Carscoops – Vantage RS/AMR Prototype
Carscoops – Vantage RS Prototype With Eight Exhausts
Earlier Nürburgring spy shots covering the hardcore Vantage prototype and its revised aero.
Aston Martin Vantage RS Roadster FAQ
Answers to the key questions about the Aston Martin Vantage RS Roadster, its expected performance, design, weight and Porsche 911 GT3 S/C rival.
What is the Aston Martin Vantage RS Roadster? +
The Aston Martin Vantage RS Roadster is an upcoming open top, performance focused version of the Vantage RS. The prototype has been spotted testing with aggressive aerodynamic upgrades, a large fixed rear wing and a twin turbo V8 expected to produce close to 700 hp.
What engine is expected in the Vantage RS Roadster? +
The Vantage RS Roadster is expected to use a 4.0 litre twin turbo V8. The current Vantage produces 670 bhp and 800 Nm of torque, while the RS version is expected to push power close to 700 hp. Aston Martin has not officially confirmed the final RS Roadster engine output.
How much power could the Aston Martin Vantage RS Roadster produce? +
The Vantage RS Roadster could produce close to 700 hp, or around 710 PS. This remains an expected figure and is not an official Aston Martin specification at this stage.
What aerodynamic changes does the Vantage RS Roadster have? +
The prototype shows a redesigned front end, a deeper front splitter, vented front fenders, a large rear diffuser, four centrally mounted exhaust outlets and a massive fixed rear wing. The aerodynamic setup appears to be closely related to the Vantage RS coupe.
Will the Vantage RS Roadster be heavier than the coupe? +
It is expected to be heavier than the Vantage RS coupe because removing the roof requires additional structural reinforcement. The standard Vantage Roadster is around 60 kg heavier than the coupe, giving Aston Martin a useful benchmark while developing the RS Roadster.
Is the Porsche 911 GT3 S/C the rival of the Vantage RS Roadster? +
Yes. The Porsche 911 GT3 S/C is the obvious rival because both cars combine serious performance hardware with an open top body. The Porsche uses a naturally aspirated 4.0 litre flat six with 502 hp and a six speed manual transmission, while the Vantage RS Roadster is expected to use a twin turbo V8 with close to 700 hp.
How much could the Aston Martin Vantage RS Roadster cost? +
The Vantage RS Roadster is expected to cost around $270,000 based on current estimates. Aston Martin has not announced an official price, so this figure should not be treated as confirmed pricing.
Has Aston Martin confirmed the Vantage RS Roadster specifications? +
No. The Vantage RS Roadster remains under development. Aston Martin has not officially confirmed its final power output, weight, performance figures or price. The details currently available come from the prototype and expectations surrounding the RS model.
What performance figures are confirmed for the Porsche 911 GT3 S/C? +
Porsche's official figures give the 911 GT3 S/C a 0 to 60 mph time of 3.7 seconds and a top track speed of 194 mph. The car uses a naturally aspirated 4.0 litre flat six and a six speed manual transmission.
