One of the most wonderful slices of
living memory Top Gear
the original V12 Vantage
a cult car. But with its somewhat truculent manual gearbox and decided focus of purpose, it
wasn't for everyone
. Aston Martin has responded to this fame and potential for fortune with the refreshed V12 Vantage S - on sale later this year and, unlike the original, not limited in volume. V12 Vantage becomes mainstream, then? Well, hardly. But it's now a car for more than a minority.
Aston V12 Vantage - faster and more yellow
Indeed, with its new-to-Aston Bosch ECU (boasting OBD compliance amongst other newfound functionality), it's now a car for almost any world market Aston wishes to sell it in; replacing the manual gearbox with third-gen Sportshift III seven-speed automated manual may help drive the demand, too. Engineering boss Ian Minards is adamant this form of transaxle is best for the V12 Vantage S; "never say never" for a future manual, but AMT is "the right choice for this car". No DCT? "I'll trade some of the refinement - a DCT would be significantly heavier than this". Sportshift III is 20kg lighter than the manual...
Both ECU and gearbox are paired with Aston's latest AM28 engine (it's the same as the AM11 in the Vanquish, with the '28' referring to the new ECU). 573hp is an entry-level supermini's worth ahead of the old 510hp car, with torque rising 36lb ft (and, more significantly, pulling power at 1,000rpm leaping from 324lb ft to 376lb ft).
Robotised manual gearbox saves 20kg
The V12 Vantage S also gets adaptive damping for the first time. Supplied by Bilstein, it's already fitted to the Vanquish and
Rapide S
and, thanks to three-mode operation (normal, sport, track), makes it both comfier and more sporting. ZF servotronic power steering now has a quicker 15:1 rack and the two-stage assist is linked to the adaptive damping so only becomes heavier when you want it to. Brembo carbon ceramic brakes slow it all down again and the V12 Vantage S is the first Aston to receive learning from the One-77 here: the brake pad surface area is bigger and the disc coating is better, improving performance and feel.
Visually, the vivid yellow launch car ideally shows off design boss Marek Reichman's minor but major-impact changes; black roof and rear graphic, lightweight black Rimstock wheels and Aston's new centenary grille finished in, yes, black. The V12 Vantage was already a musclecar and Reichman's simply enhanced this - although the grille creates a very different look out on the road, he says. "You will know it's a V12 S in your rear view mirror."
Genuine 200mph-plus performance now assured
It all equals headlines. 205mph makes it the fastest regular production Aston ever. No official 0-60mph times yet but don't be surprised if they start with a three. The price is expected to be a headliner too but this won't be confirmed before it goes on sale this autumn.
Despite these headlines, you could confuse the V12 Vantage S with a mere facelift. It's not: there's much more new beneath the surface than is first apparent, including that significant addition of Bosch engine management ("this is generation five technology", said a spokesman - and we all know how this works in Aston's VH strategy, don't we...). Oh, and don't mistake it for an icon selling out, says Aston. It's even faster, even harder-edged: the fact it's easier and comfier is but coincidence.
How, though, is Jezza going to follow up his beautiful V12 montage? After all, Aston Martin certainly deserves rewarding, for ensuring cars like this aren't consigned to the history books...