One of the most important and underrated aspects of a vehicle is all in the name. We won't go as far as to say a name makes or breaks a car, but a truly great name elevates a vehicle, while a terrible one dampens the mood. Dodge Viper? Great car name. Ford Probe? Eh, not so much.
Some brands are better at naming than others, but, in our opinion, the award for the greatest automotive names of all time goes to the suave and elegant Aston Martin. The famed British automaker simply oozes sex appeal thanks to model after model that combine debonair looks with world-class performance. However, it's the names of these cars that really put them over the top, and in their honor, let's take a look at 10 of our favorites from the brand's storied history.
We've chosen 10 Aston Martin model names that we believe prove the brand is better at naming than any other, and have ordered them from oldest to newest according to their first use.
Vantage
1951–Present
- Originally a high-performance tune of the DB2, it became standalone in 1977.
- Offered with inline-six, V8, and twin-turbo V12 engines over its life.
- The 2025 Vantage boasts supercar performance thanks to its 665-horsepower twin-turbo V8.
The first name on this list is none other than the Vantage. Outside the famed DB models, the Vantage name is likely the most famous in the Aston Martin lexicon, and what's interesting is that it stems from the DB line. It originated as a high-performance version of the DB2 called the DB2 Vantage, and from there, it continued in this role until it debuted as its own model in 1977.
This is when the name gained serious weight, because the V8 Vantage is one of the coolest cars ever made; a British muscle car for a more civilized age. Every generation of Vantage has carried on this muscle car identity, albeit with much better handling, looks, and luxury compared to most muscle cars. Today, the Vantage may as well be a rocket ship compared to the original, carrying on the mantle well.
Bulldog
1980 (Concept, Restored 2021)
- One-off twin-turbo V8 concept aiming to exceed 200 mph.
- Named after the Scottish Aviation Bulldog airplane flown by managing director, Alan Curtis
- Achieved 205 mph during a 2021 restoration and test by Victor Gauntlett’s son.
The Aston Martin Bulldog is by far the most infamous car on this list, though it has redeemed itself in recent years. It was conceived as a low-volume halo car for the company, and was designed by William Towns with an innovative wedge shape, massive gullwing doors, and centrally mounted headlights hidden behind a recess in the hood. Outside of being beautiful, it was created to break the 200 mph barrier, something that proved to be much harder to achieve than anticipated.
Despite housing a 5.3-liter twin-turbo V8 putting out 607 hp, it only ever achieved 191 mph before its debut in 1980. Poor press – and a high cost – doomed the project, leaving the single 1980 model as the only Bulldog ever made. However, the silver lining is that the model, fresh off a full restoration, did eventually achieve 200 mph... over 40 years later. We guess you can't keep a good bulldog down.
Virage
1989–2000, 2011–2012
- Virage is French for “bend” or “curve”
- Originally powered by a NA 5.3-liter V8 making 330 hp
- Briefly revived in 2011 as a bridge between the DB9 and DBS.
The Virage is one of those cars where the name may actually be better than the vehicle. The first generation was meant to be the brand's flagship, arriving in 1989 with hand-built aluminum construction and advanced suspension. It was the first car to debut after Ford purchased the company, and it received praise from critics for its performance, yet it never achieved the sales numbers the company was hoping for.
Once the Vanquish arrived in 2001, we figured that would be the last we heard of the Virage, but it was revived for little over a single model year, from March 2011 until September 2012. This time it utilized a V12, but it entered a crowded lineup and failed to differentiate itself. Another swing and a miss, so it's safe to say we probably won't be seeing another Virage anytime soon.
Vanquish
2001–2007, 2012–2018, 2025–Present
- Debuted with a 5.9-liter V12 producing up to 520 hp.
- Served as James Bond’s official car in Die Another Day (2002).
- The third generation debuted in 2025 with a 5.2-liter twin-turbo V12 making 834 horsepower.
The Vanquish is one of the best lines of vehicles that Aston Martin has ever made, and a big part of that goes to its phenomenal name. Vanquish rolls off the tongue with an assertiveness and aggression that's more than befitting of a V12 Grand Tourer from Gaydon. Originally designed by Ian Callum, it was just the car Aston Martin needed to make a statement in the 21st Century, and it made a splash in another big James Bond feature.
The following generation improved the looks and performance, but it felt like it lost a little bit of its soul along the way. This isn't the case with the newest generation, which has brought the Vanquish name back in a big, big way. The new Vanquish has moved firmly past Grand Tourer into supercar territory.
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This article originally appeared on CarBuzz and is republished here with permission.
