Test Drive Vantage V12S Coupe

[hashluck]

HR Owen Reading kindly let me out in a Flugplatz Blue Vantage V12S Coupe today whilst my Vantage V8S was having the heated seat recall and a couple of warranty items attended to. I am NOT buying one (yet) but...

Bugger. bks.

I will probably have to one day. It really is rather very nice. Truly sublime even in the rather bright paint scheme (love it but probably could not live with it). The main thing I wanted to compare with the V8VS was the ride with the adaptive suspension. Cross country from Pangbourne there is a particularly challenging (bumpy) stretch of road that has the V8VS jumping and squirming a bit, enough to make the journey not as pleasant as it might be. First pass in 'Normal' mode in the V12VS was a night and day experience in relative comfort. Second pass in 'Sport' mode, now you could feel those bumps but not to the point of discomfort or jumping off the road. The V12VS was equipped with the same sports seats as my V8VS (not lightweights) and even with minimal set up and adjustment here was a more comfortable car. Hmmmm, so the on paper more raw, harder-edged full fat V12VS might actually be a better GT car than the V8VS if you wanted to use it as such?
Next up was a tootle in the 20 and 30 limits. Fine, easy. Finally a chance to let rip a little and explore the hooligan side of things. Oh yes, it has that in spades. This car will never be found wanting in the real world. I had long suspected the V12VS would not make a great daily driver. On this first impressions test drive I was wrong. It can be whatever you want it to be and felt totally secure and very communicative. Next up to test drive the Vanquish II but I suspect it will still be the V12VS for me. I think there will be one in my life at some point though psychologically it would be strange to change to a car that looks so much the same inside and out to my current ride of choice.

Next up was the bit I was really not looking forward to. Jumping back into the V8VS. Actually it's not that bad in here. Adjust the memory seat back, commend myself on the choice of trim and stitching and fire her up. Nice, very nice noise the V8, no mistaking it at all and looking at the car in Lightning Silver and hearing it brings memories of being smitten the first time around. Pull away, expecting it all to feel a bit gutless after the V12 but no, it is still a fine car and a few corners down the road a smile on my face. Phew!

Also to be fair to the V8VS I do have to ditch the Bridgestones for some more compliant Michelins and combine that with a full geometry check. This will certainly deal with some of the ride and comfort issues.

So there you have it....

The Vantage V8S is a great, great car and I still love it and have some more miles to put on it yet.

Tha Vantage V12S is wonderful, wonderful, wonderful to steal a well known phrase.

Cheers!

Edited by hashluck on Tuesday 31st March 16:06

[Johnny42]

Thanks for the write up. I only have 3 months with my V8V, so I shouldn't be reading things like this!!

Edit: I have to ask, is the V12 worth a 50% (at least!) premium over the V8?

Edited by Johnny42 on Tuesday 31st March 16:38

[alscar]

Told you.

[mikey k]

Nice write up
I came to the same conclusion on the V12VS vs the Vanquish when I drove them back to back
Lightning Silver does seem to have that effect

[Phil74891]

Johnny42 said:

Thanks for the write up. I only have 3 months with my V8V, so I shouldn't be reading things like this!!

Edit: I have to ask, is the V12 worth a 50% (at least!) premium over the V8?

Edited by Johnny42 on Tuesday 31st March 16:38

Yes, worth every penny! (% figure is about right). Actual GBP numbers worked for me as both were low mileage dealer cars.

Thanks for the write up Hash. Good job it didn't have lightweight seats - or you might have been in even more trouble. They add so much more than you could imagine.

Other than that, everything Hash says. Plus the sound. Both are fantastic of course, but when you fire up the V12.......

[TuonoPants]

Great write up, seems to echo what so many have said before "drive one and you'll want it"

This comment was of particular interest;

hashluck said:

Also to be fair to the V8VS I do have to ditch the Bridgestones for some more compliant Michelins and combine that with a full geometry check. This will certainly deal with some of the ride and comfort issues.

These changes are top of my to-do list for my V8VS so I'd be really interested to know if anyone has gone this route and how much impact the changes made.

[mikey k]

TuonoPants said:

Great write up, seems to echo what so many have said before "drive one and you'll want it"

This comment was of particular interest;

hashluck said:

Also to be fair to the V8VS I do have to ditch the Bridgestones for some more compliant Michelins and combine that with a full geometry check. This will certainly deal with some of the ride and comfort issues.

These changes are top of my to-do list for my V8VS so I'd be really interested to know if anyone has gone this route and how much impact the changes made.

Made a massive difference to mine!

[hashluck]

Phil74891 said:

Other than that, everything Hash says. Plus the sound. Both are fantastic of course, but when you fire up the V12.......

Yes, I could not find the words to describe the rather unique V12 'woosh'. But yes.