Monday 11th August 2014

Aston V12 Vantage S Roadster sneak preview

What was that about an official global debut at Pebble Beach? Wilton House gets in there first!

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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.

Just for further proof!

The 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.

 

[MyCC]

Looks fab but please Aston bring out an updated one soon!!

Regards,

MyCC

[mrdemon]

2018 for an updated one, so a long wait.

[pSynrg]

ZZZzzz...

Probably amazing cars but I get more excited reading about the latest in cardboard advances.

[Paxto]

Black wheels - yuck.

[MrTappets]

I know, I know, it's lovely and all, but this could have come out about six years ago. If anything, the black bits make the shape look less timeless that it did then.

[DoctorX]

Beautiful cars but getting uglier and uglier with every new edition with nasty 'styling' revisons IMO. Same applies to the DB9 derivatives. A 'plain' one with the uprated oily bits for me, thank you.

[Alfa159Ti]

pSynrg said:

ZZZzzz...

Probably amazing cars but I get more excited reading about the latest in cardboard advances.

Totally agree.

It feels to me like they have essentially been making one car with a couple of different engines for the past decade and just keep sticking different coloured bits on it.

[Dunclane]

The grille reminds me of

[Dirty Sanchez]

Alfa159Ti said:

pSynrg said:

ZZZzzz...

Probably amazing cars but I get more excited reading about the latest in cardboard advances.

Totally agree.

It feels to me like they have essentially been making one car with a couple of different engines for the past decade and just keep sticking different coloured bits on it.

Chaps, don't forget that AM are a very low volume manufacturer with limited funding to embark on new projects. Hence the number of ongoing upgrades on existing Vantage. Don't confuse familiarity with boring though. How many cars that were launched almost a decade ago remain so pretty and so engaging to drive?

Expect a new car in 2016 with AMG derived power plant.

[Axionknight]

Very nice despite the age of the underpinning style - it has aged very well to my eyes.

The black wheels are a no no, though.

[cookie1600]

Ditch the black wheels and accents please. It just doesn't work for me with them, as they detract from the overall stunning body shape for some reason.

[GWER]

Dunclane said:

The grille reminds me of

it is actually called the " lipstick" lol

[Arcnewal]

I think it's about time Aston Martin brought out a brand new car, rather than keeping on updating their current cars.

[stimshady]

Just awesome. Not my personal colour combo, but amazing machine. I have driven the 'S' (Coupe) a couple of times on the track and it's a LOT of fun!

[mrdemon]

Arcnewal said:

I think it's about time Aston Martin brought out a brand new car, rather than keeping on updating their current cars.

they have a plan of new Cars with Merc engines, 1st one will be the new DB9, then others will follow.
Vantage is not till 2018 is it ?

[exceed]

Looks beautiful as always, but Aston please PLEASE update the interior.

All the switchgear and everything/satnav are just ANCIENT now...

[Dirty Sanchez]

I was told 2016 for the new Vantage as the DB9 was heavily revised late 2012. That said, I think it is a case of believe it when you see it with AM.

As for the interiors check out the Vanquish. And, all cars now come with a decent Garmin sat nav. Not that you'd buy one for the gadgets of course, that would be missing the point of it all.

[bobberz]

Utterly, ridiculously, desirable.

Aston's biggest, most powerful engine in their smallest, sportiest car, now available with a removable top. All the better to hear that big V12 while traversing a tunnel!

Perhaps the swansong for this engine and the old-school breed of large-displacement Astons?

[insideimsmiling]

It is a absolutely beautiful car & the world is a better place for it. I would still stop to listen & see this go by, as I do with a TVR.

[GWER]

Shoot me down here guys. But the AMG deal does not mean the end of a V12 in an AML no ?