The new Aston Martin Vantage's step change in character is clear evidence of having benefitted from the brand's participation in motorsport. Two decades ago, Aston Martin used the Vantage nameplate relatively sparingly on cars produced between 1973 and 1993. However, it never appeared on a standalone model until the 2004 V8 Vantage. Fourteen years later, Aston Martin dropped the "V8".