With the move to the `4.7-litre V8`, the `Vantage` gains what the early `4.3` could occasionally lack: more torque, more reach and a much better overall balance between style and performance. This is the phase many enthusiasts prefer, because it keeps the compact, analogue feel of the first generation while standing up far more convincingly to a Porsche 911 or an equivalent German sports car.
The facelift also sharpens `Sportshift`, braking feel and chassis definition. Special versions such as the `N430` add desirability without changing the core logic: this remains a naturally aspirated sports car that reacts immediately to geometry, clutch condition and consumable quality. The best examples are usually the ones that have been used properly, not the ones that spent a decade sitting still.