V8 to V12 Vantage
Discussion
Ballistic Banana said:
Anyone done this leap and is it a leap of much difference?? I know the v8 is meant to be the better around the twistys but with any car I buy I always hanker after the bigger engine.
Any experiences welcomed
BB
Quite a few of us have including myself. Where did you hear that the V8 was faster?? There are rumours that the V8VS with the 7 speed ASM 2 is as quick (some say quicker) around a track due to the speed of gear change and additional gearing, but honestly there is a massive difference between V8 & V12. Certainly on track the V8 & V8VS were not as quick, but that maybe because SPA was a fast circuit that favoured the additional power, whereas a twisty circuit would favour the fast gearchanges!! That said, I have had both and I am not convinced that a car with 90BHP and a bucket full of torque less is going to be as quick, regardless of gearbox.Any experiences welcomed
BB
The torque of the V12 is immense in comparison, with the main disadvantage being traction in less than perfect conditions, which is where the V8 definately has the edge. Once moving the V12 is ermmmmm EPIC
. The suspension is more focussed, the brakes better and the acceleration significantly quicker in the mid range. That said I think that the V8V in any giuse is a well balanced car and the power matches the available grip well, the V12 is just a bit of an animal. I would have happily kept my V8 and lived happily ever after....... that is until I drove the V12V.Do not drive one until you have the money, or you will sell your soul to the devil to buy one (and that of your family).
Edited by johng39 on Friday 5th October 16:45
I went from a '09 V8V w/ sport pack to a V12V and I can tell you the difference is night and day. While the engine and brake upgrades are obviously substantial changes, what surprised me the most was the suspension: much better body control, and more comfortable, too! BTW the shift action and clutch feel are a step up as well.
Which V8? Obviously a late model 4.7 or a V8S, or especially a BR modified car closes the gap significantly...
But the ultimate torque of the V12 and the CCMs make it hard to beat. Push both at 8/10ths and the V12 will disappear into the distance. 10/10ths though and it's into the hedge
I do wonder if the average driver (i.e. someone who doesn't have a Scalextrix car made of them) could extract more of the performance from the V8 than the V12? Easier to be confident in the V8 perhaps, especially in all weathers or on unfamiliar roads...
But the ultimate torque of the V12 and the CCMs make it hard to beat. Push both at 8/10ths and the V12 will disappear into the distance. 10/10ths though and it's into the hedge
I do wonder if the average driver (i.e. someone who doesn't have a Scalextrix car made of them) could extract more of the performance from the V8 than the V12? Easier to be confident in the V8 perhaps, especially in all weathers or on unfamiliar roads...
Hankering after the bigger engine eh? Robgt has just been through this phase again but has come safely out the other side!
In fact, less than a week ago, we both went and drove a V12 (again) as the lure of more power was drawing him in. The thing about more power is more weight hence, we felt, less nimble handling. Even our cockernee mate, Johng39, an acknowledged speed freak and racing driver, admits that the V12 is a bit of a handful in the wet. Also (please excuse my ignorance here) I hadn't realised before that manual is the only option. Whilst I enjoy a good handful of gearstick as much as the next girl I have to say it made me appreciate the gears in our V8S and the thrill of blipping down the gears just for the hell of it!
My (biased) recommendation is try a V8S. You will love it and if you still want a little extra do what Rob did - enlist the subtle help of Bamford Rose
In fact, less than a week ago, we both went and drove a V12 (again) as the lure of more power was drawing him in. The thing about more power is more weight hence, we felt, less nimble handling. Even our cockernee mate, Johng39, an acknowledged speed freak and racing driver, admits that the V12 is a bit of a handful in the wet. Also (please excuse my ignorance here) I hadn't realised before that manual is the only option. Whilst I enjoy a good handful of gearstick as much as the next girl I have to say it made me appreciate the gears in our V8S and the thrill of blipping down the gears just for the hell of it!
My (biased) recommendation is try a V8S. You will love it and if you still want a little extra do what Rob did - enlist the subtle help of Bamford Rose
As group captain Yeti correctly states, driving a V8V at 10/10ths is well within the talent of most. Doing the same with a V12V requires some practice in the black arts . Molly is also correct that in less than perfect conditions the tyres on the V12V make it errrrr interesting. However there is a winter option tyre that transforms the car and ensures that hedges are not going to lure you in.
Try both and if by some chance there is a plastic model of yourself lurking somewhere in the past, then perhaps a V12V is the best choice. The torque is so addictive...... Whatever you do, do not be stupid enough to get one and then send it to Bamford Rose and have work done on it to get more power..... you would have to be completely crazy
. Molly is also correct that in less than perfect conditions the tyres on the V12V make it errrrr interesting. However there is a winter option tyre that transforms the car and ensures that hedges are not going to lure you in.Try both and if by some chance there is a plastic model of yourself lurking somewhere in the past, then perhaps a V12V is the best choice. The torque is so addictive...... Whatever you do, do not be stupid enough to get one and then send it to Bamford Rose and have work done on it to get more power..... you would have to be completely crazy
Johnfrancis said:
I doubt that most of us could drive a V8 at 10/10ths, in fact I would say hardly any of us could, without getting nicked or killed.
On track John. Aston Martin do some great days where you would get the chance without killing yourself or losing your licence. Obviously no one here is condoning driving on roads like that...... Ballistic Banana said:
Anyone done this leap and is it a leap of much difference?? I know the v8 is meant to be the better around the twistys but with any car I buy I always hanker after the bigger engine.
Any experiences welcomed
BB
Like a blind man seeing again. no comparison in my hmble opinion. Said it before, said it again, the V12V has got to be the V12 bargain of the moment.Any experiences welcomed
BB
Oh Dear you V12 guys are not going to like this but.... the faster car around the Nurburring was in fact the V8S not the V12. I am sorry but facts is facts!! Dreadful English I know only matched by my awful spelling of Nurburing. I will of course be blaming the intake of wine. As to whether you choose one or the other is down to personal choice, they are both fantastic.
robgt said:
Oh Dear you V12 guys are not going to like this but.... the faster car around the Nurburring was in fact the V8S not the V12. I am sorry but facts is facts!! Dreadful English I know only matched by my awful spelling of Nurburing. I will of course be blaming the intake of wine. As to whether you choose one or the other is down to personal choice, they are both fantastic.
V8 it is then .... But having come from V8 to V12 it's night and day in feel good factor. Not saying V8 is bad but .... the V12 is brilliant. If you want more wet weather grip in the V12 go for the P Zeros - they are fantastic.Drove V12 at the Vantage homecoming at Gaydon, so not a huge experience but enough to say there is a huge difference and more importantly than on a race track, it's useable on a day to day basis.
Not sure why top speed always becomes the focus of a which is better car discussion because unless you want it for a track, it's irrelevant.
The V12 has an incredible amount of torque, which makes it a joy to drive. It pulls very quickly from standstill , and rolling acceleration for overtakes is accomplished in the blink of an eye. You certainly don't have to work the gearbox anywhere near as much as the V8.
For me it would come down to finance - if you can afford to buy and run a V12, then do so. I can't cos I decided to retire early. So I still have my V8, which I love- but as somebody else said above, having driven one, my soul hankers after a V12.
Not sure why top speed always becomes the focus of a which is better car discussion because unless you want it for a track, it's irrelevant.
The V12 has an incredible amount of torque, which makes it a joy to drive. It pulls very quickly from standstill , and rolling acceleration for overtakes is accomplished in the blink of an eye. You certainly don't have to work the gearbox anywhere near as much as the V8.
For me it would come down to finance - if you can afford to buy and run a V12, then do so. I can't cos I decided to retire early. So I still have my V8, which I love- but as somebody else said above, having driven one, my soul hankers after a V12.
The V12V is a fantastic car. Came back into one having had a V8 back in 06. As they say, night and day. One thing I would say though is they are a heavy car for their size. Not as nimble as I expected, hence my penchant for 911's. The 911 is now geared to our US cousins, quick...but lardy, unless I wanted to look like a Breightbling wearing footballer from Wilmslow and have a GT3.
V12V is not a car for 'the twisties'....but for everything else, sublime.
V12V is not a car for 'the twisties'....but for everything else, sublime.
I cant comment on the V8S having only had a brief factory launch drive but Can compare the 4.7 sportpack which I had for 18 months. I had the V12V for a couple of days recently and certainly put it through its paces. Although I felt the ride was comparable with the 4.7 with sportpack, maybe slightly more forgiving, the engine, handling and overall drive I felt took me to another level. It seemed considerably more brutal, more pointed and the roar from that engine is sublime. I remember a jump from 4.3 to 4.7 being significant enough for me to justify one over the other, V8 to V12 more than doubles that gap imo.
That said, I wouldn't swap my DBS for one. I prefer the looks, the feeling of space and the diversity of a GT and a sports car within a flick of a switch...
Good to meet you this week btw Robbo66! Seems the weather is being kind tomorrow!
That said, I wouldn't swap my DBS for one. I prefer the looks, the feeling of space and the diversity of a GT and a sports car within a flick of a switch...
Good to meet you this week btw Robbo66! Seems the weather is being kind tomorrow!
Edited by bananarob on Monday 8th October 17:15
George H said:
Robbo66 said:
The 911 is now geared to our US cousins, quick...but lardy
What? It's over 200kgs lighter than the V12V for the Carrera S model 
Don't have a shot of one against a 991, but look at it against a racing midget...
As was said before, drive both back to back and then decide for yourself. The difference between the cars is like night and day. I see a lot of comments on the forum about how the V12V isn't really that much faster than the V8, but these tend to be comments from V8 owners who haven't really driven the V12V. As for the V12V being slower at the track, what I'd like to know is if the two cars were driven by the same driver and in the same conditions. If not, this doesn't mean much. Moreover, unless you are going to be buying the car for the track, as opposed to the road, it REALLY doesn't mean much. The huge increase in torque and power, the improved brakes, and the firm suspension makes anyone able to drive this car faster in the real world. And as far the twisties are concerned, the car shines. Anyone who says differently probably hasn't had the opportunity to put the car through its paces in that environment. I do often, and I'm always amazed how well the car corners.
Gassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff