The upgrade full two-tone leather in our test car was marvelous. The headliner is alcantara; the balance of the soft panels, including the dash and doors, are thick, burnished, hand-stitched leather. The seat belt buckles are sheathed in leather, and the three climate control knobs are machined from solid aluminum. The decorative trim in this car, starting with details such as the polished aluminum ring around the shifter, no doubt costs more to produce than the full instrument panel in a typical compact car.
Not that the V8 Vantage is an ergonomic disaster. Indeed, in the scheme of the traditional British sports car, or even contemporary high-end sports cars, it's very good. The aluminum-backed gauges impress not only for their beauty, but for their legibility. The primary stereo controls could be a bit larger, but they are exactly where we like them, at the top of the center stack. Those expensive climate control knobs are big, and easy to find without distracting oneself from the task at hand. The same applies to switches underneath them controlling flashers, traction control and door locks. The biggest gripe falls on some too-small ancillary switches arrayed on either side of a gorgeous analog clock. In total, the dash is elegantly designed, exquisitely finished and straightforward in function.
The V8 Vantage's cockpit is intimate, certainly, but not cramped. There's enough room for the passenger to stretch legs and lower the seatback past 45 degrees. The seats are impressive: firm and supportive, with all the bolster needed anywhere but on a race track, and comfortable for the long haul. There's also a decent amount of space behind the seats, and it's easy for the driver to reach. A very large briefcase or good-sized shopping bags are no problem here. The V8 Vantage is about as practical as cars of this ilk get, and just sitting inside can make you feel like a millionaire.
