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What you see on the cover of November 2024 of the <a href="https://www.autox.com/magazine/" target="_blank">autoX Magazine</a> is a glimpse of our annual mega-test. Other than merely whittling this list of 50-odd vehicles down to the top-ten machines launched in the past year, what our annual mega test enables us to do is put our ear to the ground and get a real sense of which direction the winds are blowing in. Well, all signs point to it being a gust from the East!

Spoiler alert – there are two Chinese EVs in our top-five cars of 2024. And the reason for that is very clear – they really are that good, and they really do provide class-leading value. That China is a powerhouse in EVs is not a new phenomenon, but just how much of a powerhouse is worth considering. How about the fact that 70% of the world’s EVs are made in China? Or consider the fact that <a href="https://www.autox.com/opinion/dhruv-behl/of-the-340-registered-ev-makers-in-china-only-one-is-profitable-byd-116457/" target="_blank">there are almost 350 registered EV makers in China. But only one of them is profitable</a> – BYD! And, yes, one of the two EVs in our top-five is a BYD.<iframe width="400" height="345" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QZ3yIvrZnSA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>

 In Q4 of 2023, BYD overtook Tesla to become the largest EV manufacturer in the world. And in Q3 of 2024, BYD overtook Tesla in revenue for the first time. After all, BYD is the only truly vertically integrated EV manufacturer in the world today – producing its own batteries, motors, and chips. In fact, its proprietary blade batteries are perhaps the most advanced and safest battery packs around – so much so that even Tesla sources batteries for its Model Y from BYD.

Elon Musk did warn the world that it wouldn’t be the establishment that would pose a threat to his EV supremacy, but the real threat would come from China. That the traditional automakers are floundering is also not a revelation.

VW has spent the past several years developing its own EVs, but they’re simply not on par with the Chinese competition. So, VW is adopting Chinese EV platforms for its next generation of EVs – at least in China to start with. In the meantime, the German giant is planning to close three plants in its home market. Porsche, meanwhile, is talking about giving its new EV platforms ICE powertrains because of how dismal their EV sales have been of late. Across the pond, in the US, Ford is losing money on every EV sold and doesn’t expect to make a profit till 2027. The CEO of Ford, Jim Farley, even admitted to a Xiaomi SU7 being his current daily driver – presumably his way of checking out the competition. You know the world order has changed when the CEO of the car company that invented the assembly line is dailying a car made by a Chinese cell phone manufacturer.

Meanwhile, closer to home, the thaw at our Northern border may mean Chinese EV investment, which has been on ice in India thus far, may be a little closer to getting the green light. Politics aside, if the BYD Seal and MG Windsor are anything to go by, the emergence of the Chinese EV means that Indian car buyers are getting an up close and personal look at what Jim Farley and his colleagues have found – that it’s becoming increasingly difficult to compete with Chinese EVs.

The Chinese EVs That Have Been a Long Time Coming… Well, They’re Here!

You know the world order has changed when the CEO of the car company that invented the assembly line is dailying a car made by a Chinese cell phone manufacturer

Aston Martin has revealed the 2026 Vantage Roadster, an open-top iteration of the Vantage Coupe. The refreshed Roadster retains many elements from the coupe, including its design, interior layout, feature set, and the Mercedes-AMG-sourced V8 engine. It boasts a wider stance, a selection of new paint finishes, as well as a unique grille for enhanced airflow. Additionally, it offers a wide range of customisation options, including four roof shades, seven brake calliper hues, and 21 livery designs.

Adrian Hallmark, Chief Executive Officer,&nbsp;Aston Martin said, 'The technical and dynamic capability of New Vantage delivered outstanding performance; far beyond any other preceding Vantage, and it is now seen as a true class-leading sports car. Vantage Roadster was no different feat in that it is a fully reinvented experience, with all the benefits of the Coupe and no compromise to refinement or performance through meticulous work by our engineering and dynamics teams. Vantage Roadster delivers a world-class roof-down driving experience like no other.'

Customer deliveries are scheduled for the second quarter of this year, although Aston Martin has not yet disclosed pricing details.

<h2>2026 Aston Martin Vantage Roadster: Mechanical Details</h2>

The new Vantage Roadster is equipped with a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine, generating 656bhp and 800Nm of torque. This marks a significant improvement over the previous model, with a boost of 153bhp and 115Nm. These gains are made possible by upgrading the turbochargers, refining the camshaft profiles, and optimising the compression ratio.

<img alt="Vantage Roadster 2025 Rq" height="720" src="/uploads/2025/01/Vantage-Roadster-2025-rq.jpg" width="1280" />

Paired with the engine is an eight-speed gearbox and an electronically-controlled limited-slip differential, which directs power to the rear wheels. Aston Martin claims the Vantage Roadster can accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in just 3.5 seconds and achieve a top speed of 325km/h.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.autox.com/news/car-news/2026-aston-martin-valhalla-hypercar-ready-for-production-with-1064bhp-twin-turbo-v8-plug-in-hybridpowertrain-119294/">2026 Aston Martin Valhalla Hypercar Ready for Production with 1,064bhp Twin-turbo V8 Plug-in-hybrid&nbsp;Powertrain</a>

Furthermore, Aston Martin has managed to keep the weight increase minimal, adding only 60 kg. The vehicle features a 49:51 front-to-rear weight distribution, along with a double-wishbone front suspension and a multi-link rear setup. It also comes with model-specific Michelin Pilot Sport S 5 tyres and Bilstein DTX adaptive dampers for enhanced performance and comfort. Braking performance is delivered by carbon ceramic brakes, with 410mm front discs and six-piston monoblock callipers, ensuring effective and reliable stopping power in high-demand conditions. The driving experience is enhanced by an electronically controlled rear differential and a non-isolated steering column.

It also offers eight adjustable traction control modes, giving drivers the ability to fine-tune the car’s performance for different road conditions. The roof features a Z-fold design that can open or close at speeds of up to 50km/h in just 6.8 seconds, making it the fastest automatic roof system available, according to Aston Martin. Notably, the roof can also be operated remotely with the key fob.

<h2>2026 Aston Martin Vantage Roadster: Interior</h2>

<img alt="Vantage 2025 Interior" height="720" src="/uploads/2025/01/Vantage-2025-interior.jpg" width="1280" />

The cabin is adorned by a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment unit, a 10.25-inch digital driver's display, and wireless smartphone mirroring. Connectivity is ensured through a dedicated app compatible with both iOS and Android devices, enabling remote access and control.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.autox.com/motorsport-news/f1-aston-martin-appoint-andy-cowell-as-team-principal-replaces-mike-krack-119532/">F1: Aston Martin Appoints Andy Cowell As Team Principal, Replaces Mike Krack</a>

For those seeking superior audio quality, the standard 11-speaker sound system can be upgraded to a tailored Bowers &amp; Wilkins setup. The safety quotient of the car is enhanced by an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) suite. &nbsp;

New Aston Martin Vantage Roadster Globally Debuts with Fastest-folding Roof and 656bhp Twin-turbo V8

The new Aston Martin Vantage Roadster is equipped with a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine, generating 656bhp of maximum power and 800Nm of peak torque.

Byd Blade Batteries

The Chinese EVs That Have Been a Long Time Coming… Well, They’re Here!

New Aston Martin Vantage Roadster Globally Debuts with Fastest-folding Roof and 656bhp Twin-turbo V8

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