The Wilton Classic Supercar isn't where you would visit to be surprised at the presence of something four-wheeled and very fast. That's sort of the point, after all. But a V12 supercar that shouldn't actually be in the public eye? There's a story.
Aston V12 Vantage S Roadster
is scheduled for a global debut at Pebble Beach later this week. But at the far edge of the Wilton grounds sat a silver Aston Roadster with bonnet vents, that centenary grille, the ten-spoke wheels and a 'V12 Vantage S' badge on it. Curious.
A dealer network had been given the car to exhibit at Wilton as a launch 'very much under the radar'. Except it was rolled out on public display for all to see. And take pictures of. And post to Twitter.
Whatever this means for the 'global debut' later this week in California the car itself looked superb. Silver with black leather and red accents may not be as attention grabbing as the red shown in the press pics but it remains a very pretty car. Especially when you're not meant to be looking at it, like every glance is clandestine and surreptitious. Arguably some of the V12 'S' upgrades work better than others but, as expected, it's just as lovely in the metal as on the screen.
Being a quiet launch there was nothing further revealed about the S Roadster at Wilton. They will follow at the 'proper' debut in California. But anyone after an open supercar seems spoilt for choice currently; the Aston will compete against the Ferrari 458 and McLaren 650S Spiders, plus open versions of both the Porsche 911 Turbo S and Audi R8 V10.