Was Aston Martin’s expansion into lower reaches in the luxury automotive food chain a good idea? The development of the AM V8 Vantage was at best a dangerous move. Why risk devaluing a storied brand? Looking at top line figures, it seems as if Aston’s “entry level” model is a solid success. Aston Martin’s sales have increased to levels the company hasn’t experienced since… ever. Thanks in part to the AM V8, Aston Martin turned a profit in the two years prior to its removal from the FoMoCo family. But looking one level deeper, the British automotive brand’s move down market triggered several less than savory consequences. They may be returning to bespoke, fragrant leather coops, but the prodigal chickens are back, and they’re bad.