The owner of a new Aston Martin Vantage decided to test if his car can swim
The life of this new Aston Martin Vantage could have ended prematurely simply because the British owner thought driving through a flooded road was a good idea. The lesson here is as old as time: if you don’t know the depth of the water, don’t drive through it, especially in a car that costs such money.
How it happened
The video of the incident was posted on X by none other than Lawrence Whittaker, CEO of British manufacturer Lister Cars. It shows the owner of a silver Vantage trying to cross a section of deep water on a narrow secondary road. Halfway through, the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine stalls, leaving him stranded in the middle of the water.
When the driver gets out of the car, he is furious, and we don’t blame him. A moment later, he is heard speaking on the phone: “I mean, the car isn’t completely flooded, but water obviously got into the engine, it just didn’t seem that deep.”
Poor guy has had a rough week.
Best caption wins!! pic.twitter.com/k8SC7Y7yfk
— Lawrence Whittaker (@ListerLawrence) June 27, 2026
Aftermath and reaction
The video ends with three men, including the driver, gathered around the engine, trying to figure out why it stalled and whether it can be saved. It is also visible that the front tow hook is already attached, so presumably, the Aston Martin has been pulled out of its watery grave.
Road & Track notes that the owner has already been nicknamed “James Pond,” which is probably the kindest thing the internet could do for a man who just watched his sports car go for a swim.
Technical details and outlook
The Vantage’s air intakes are located right at the front of the engine bay, and it appears the water was at least deep enough to cover part of the radiator grille. If the engine ingested water, it likely suffered a hydrolock and shut off instantly. Depending on the damage, repairing the AMG-sourced V8 engine may be possible, though expensive. Alternatively, Aston Martin may recommend a full engine replacement, or the insurance company may declare the car a total loss if repairs are too costly.
This incident once again reminds us that even the most modern technology is powerless against the elements when a driver disregards basic safety rules. The cost of a car does not make it an amphibian, and the risk of losing not just money but also life is far too high. The story of “James Pond” will serve as yet another warning to those who think that a few inches of water are no problem. In reality, it can cost an entire car, and sometimes much more.