V8S vs V12S handling (VH na)
Discussion
Here’s an interesting video I found on Youtube, it is a comparison as above.
I thought it interesting sharing on here as it is a direct comparison by a BTC race driver of the attributes of a well set up n/a V12 Vantage and a well set up later n/a V8 Vantage. It is, therefore, a very useful handling comparison between the two, done by someone with reasonable credibility in terms of driving skills, but no obvious axe to grind or other reason (financial or otherwise) to prefer either car.
Yes, we know Mr CTR and his aesthetic ‘modifications’ can be a bit erm, mickey mouse-ish but the chassis hardware mods he specifies as part of his upgrade schtick are generally accepted as reasonable handling improvements for these cars.
In earlier times when the cars were newer, the V8 used takes a bit of playful stick for being a bit of a poor relation to the V12, a bit asthmatic, a bit slow, a poor man’s choice of Vantage etc etc m. For the Bez era n/a cars, it was so often the case that not many folk talked up the obvious natural handling benefits of the little jag-derived V8 to offset the many advantages of that majestic and bespoke V12.
So, and a decade later than it should have been, this is to help redress the balance a little
https://youtu.be/JTCI4YdL7Ao?si=RfymsCglAk2CJKZ8
I thought it interesting sharing on here as it is a direct comparison by a BTC race driver of the attributes of a well set up n/a V12 Vantage and a well set up later n/a V8 Vantage. It is, therefore, a very useful handling comparison between the two, done by someone with reasonable credibility in terms of driving skills, but no obvious axe to grind or other reason (financial or otherwise) to prefer either car.
Yes, we know Mr CTR and his aesthetic ‘modifications’ can be a bit erm, mickey mouse-ish but the chassis hardware mods he specifies as part of his upgrade schtick are generally accepted as reasonable handling improvements for these cars.
In earlier times when the cars were newer, the V8 used takes a bit of playful stick for being a bit of a poor relation to the V12, a bit asthmatic, a bit slow, a poor man’s choice of Vantage etc etc m. For the Bez era n/a cars, it was so often the case that not many folk talked up the obvious natural handling benefits of the little jag-derived V8 to offset the many advantages of that majestic and bespoke V12.
So, and a decade later than it should have been, this is to help redress the balance a little
https://youtu.be/JTCI4YdL7Ao?si=RfymsCglAk2CJKZ8
Calinours said:
Here’s an interesting video I found on Youtube, it is a comparison as above.
People really underestimated the V8V in its day. I found it a well balanced car on track. On one memorable day, a regular driver in our group showed up in a brand new (for then) Nissan GTR, having gotten rid of his old Z3M Coupe. I remember his frustration in being unable to shake me in the V8V - he would pull ahead on the straights but I would catch up in the corners. By rights he should have wiped the floor with me. My issue with the V8V was the brakes - they would not hold up to more than a couple of hot laps before overheating (these were not the upsized brakes of the S version).I never took my original V12V on track, but have tracked my V12VS, and suspect it was considerably better than the non S for track driving. Although it did not turn in like a V8V, it had plenty of mid-corner grip, and I never had to worry about the brakes, despite the night and day power difference and end of straight speeds.
ds666 said:
Good track comparison .
It is, but it's probably not a fair comparison for most PHers' cars, as both appear to have modified suspension with coil-overs as a minimum.The balance and weight distribution comments do apply, though, as the heavier nose in the V12 has long been a point of note
Agreed . Largely irrelevant on many levels , but interesting all the same . He did seem to drive the v8 considerably harder than the v12 .
The main difference for me between the v8 and the v12 has always been the effortless torque of the v12 compared with the v8 I had (4.3) which needed whipping to make progress .
The main difference for me between the v8 and the v12 has always been the effortless torque of the v12 compared with the v8 I had (4.3) which needed whipping to make progress .
I was in fortunate position of choosing between a manual v12s and a manual v8 amr. I walked away with the v8 because I too felt it drove better than the v12s, and i don't really care about the bragging rights of a v12! 5 years later, and I still have the v8. Massively underrated cars, so I am glad they are slowly getting the recognition they deserve.
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