GT12 performance pack for V12VS

[SFO]

I prefer the original diffuser!

[IanV12VR]

CSK1 said:

Here's finally a picture of the diffuser which comes with the Performance Pack. They didn't change much did they? I see the lower blade which was previously coloured is now carbon with a few fins added. Because it's carbon it looks a bit massive now. I thought the tail pipes would be central hence the need for a new diffuser but they seem to have kept the existing exhaust finishers. Anyone on here has more info?

Edited by CSK1 on Thursday 24th November 18:23

That is not what I was expecting - damp squib and very disappointing if that is what it is. I was expecting more.

[CSK1]

Yes, I was expecting the entire rear diffuser being replaced with something similar, albeit not identical as the dimensions are different, to the one fitted to the GT8/GT12 with central tail pipes.
Here's an extract from the official press release:
"The V12S Performance pack has an all new titanium exhaust system downstream of the manifolds. Incorporated within the system is a new design muffler developed using technology from the Aston Martin GT12"
Why is it then that you don't see any of that when looking at the rear end?
So the exhaust system is all changed downstream of the manifolds but the muffler is a titanium version of the existing one with standard tail pipes? So I assume the tail pipes are not changed and just refitted to the new muffler? I suspect a bit of cost cutting going on there. I'm thinking of just keeping my existing diffuser and let them do the bits that matter and that you can't see or have the bottom part of the lower carbon blade painted body colour, that could be nice: exposed carbon side up and body colour underneath.

[northernmedia]

Yep was also expecting more than that half hearted affair.
I'll be sticking with my QS decat

[Phil74891]

Surely that can't be it? And why demonstrate it on a car that's been painted lilac?

Any more info out there?

[CSK1]

Got this from the French AML main dealer, I think this is for the dealer's use but yes this is it, they are changing just the lower painted part of the diffuser for a carbon one.
If you look on the site they are saying just that:
"Also included in the V12S performance pack is a brand new carbon fibre LOWER rear diffuser."
http://www.astonmartin.com/en/accessories/v12-vant...

[12pack]

Indeed re-reading that web page, it does make it sound like they were never planning to change out the back end to look like the GT12's. So a titanium exhaust, magnesium inlet manifolds and the lower carbon fibre diffuser plate.

[CSK1]

Well they also state that:
"The V12S Performance pack has an all new titanium exhaust system DOWNSTREAM of the manifolds."
So I take it that the entire exhaust system is new from the new manifolds to the new titanium muffler. And I'm also guessing the existing exhaust tips are just fitted to the new muffler?

[martin thomas]

I think it's good that they haven't tried to fast and furious the back end
You still get the same power and noise of the gt12, so happy days!!!

They just need to homologate it for the manual now!!!!

[Shmee]

I can't tell you if it's the case here, but both McLaren and Mercedes have to avoid paint near their titanium exhaust tips for heat concerns; it could well be the same that with the new exhaust you'll just find the old bumper melts away under high load.

[Flugplatz]

Has anybody ordered this pack had it fitted yet?

[JBaps]

I tried but my local dealer wasn't able to sort it out at the time, money is now going into a new house instead!

[CSK1]

I might go for it when my car needs a service in October providing I have the cash to spend. I don't particularly like the lower carbon rear diffuser which replaces the painted bit. I think you could keep the existing one and just have the rest done.
Not sure if the pack will still be available once the Vantage replacement is out next year or they might discount the pack heavily at the end of or after the current Vantage's production like they did with the Prodrive performance pack for the V8 Vantage recently.

[AdamV12V]

I would urge V12S owners to consider just getting cat bypass pipes instead at a fraction of the cost. This was route I took based on the lack of info on the official upgrade by the time my car was ready, plus the fact that the QS bypass pipes cost me £800 fitted.

I have to say they transform the sound of the car - it is NUTS loud and sounds epic!

Seriously I struggle to believe the GT12 kit could sound much louder, and certainly struggle to see how it could be worth an additional £11,700 more. I heard a GT8 fire up at JCT yesterday and I honestly don't think it was much louder than my car is.

[V12s]

AdamV12V said:

I would urge V12S owners to consider just getting cat bypass pipes instead at a fraction of the cost. This was route I took based on the lack of info on the official upgrade by the time my car was ready, plus the fact that the QS bypass pipes cost me £800 fitted.

I have to say they transform the sound of the car - it is NUTS loud and sounds epic!

Seriously I struggle to believe the GT12 kit could sound much louder, and certainly struggle to see how it could be worth an additional £11,700 more. I heard a GT8 fire up at JCT yesterday and I honestly don't think it was much louder than my car is.

Hello Adam,

How noisy is the car with QS bypass pipes when at regular town speeds ?
Does the sport button still have the same effect of increasing the noise when switched on - and so is the car still ok ( more conspicuous ) for early morning start ups with sport deactivated ?

Also, what did your dealer say regarding warranty ?

Cheers

[Flugplatz]

AdamV12V said:

Seriously I struggle to believe the GT12 kit could sound much louder, and certainly struggle to see how it could be worth an additional £11,700 more.

Does it sound like this?

https://youtu.be/F5jmHUnpGug?t=1m17s

Turn it up.

[Phil74891]

I was thinking about it, but having just bought a house in the country, I'm going to spend the money on a nice old Land Rover Defender and a few Labradors instead. Sorry AM, you weren't quick enough.

[northernmedia]

V12s said:

AdamV12V said:

I would urge V12S owners to consider just getting cat bypass pipes instead at a fraction of the cost. This was route I took based on the lack of info on the official upgrade by the time my car was ready, plus the fact that the QS bypass pipes cost me £800 fitted.

I have to say they transform the sound of the car - it is NUTS loud and sounds epic!

Seriously I struggle to believe the GT12 kit could sound much louder, and certainly struggle to see how it could be worth an additional £11,700 more. I heard a GT8 fire up at JCT yesterday and I honestly don't think it was much louder than my car is.

Hello Adam,

How noisy is the car with QS bypass pipes when at regular town speeds ?
Does the sport button still have the same effect of increasing the noise when switched on - and so is the car still ok ( more conspicuous ) for early morning start ups with sport deactivated ?

Also, what did your dealer say regarding warranty ?

Cheers

I've got the same bypass pipes as Adam (also fitted by the main dealer JCT).

I've also got the remote switch kit for the valves so it complicates things slightly.
Pressing the Sport button definitely makes things louder but nowhere near as much as additionally having the valve switch to open.
It's mental! I tend to drive everywhere with both switched on of course.

That said if I'm on a long run I can turn off the Sport and valves to cruise in near silence, best of both worlds I reckon.

No issues with warranty etc as the Quicksilver pipes come with a AM part number.

[V12s]

northernmedia said:

V12s said:

AdamV12V said:

I would urge V12S owners to consider just getting cat bypass pipes instead at a fraction of the cost. This was route I took based on the lack of info on the official upgrade by the time my car was ready, plus the fact that the QS bypass pipes cost me £800 fitted.

I have to say they transform the sound of the car - it is NUTS loud and sounds epic!

Seriously I struggle to believe the GT12 kit could sound much louder, and certainly struggle to see how it could be worth an additional £11,700 more. I heard a GT8 fire up at JCT yesterday and I honestly don't think it was much louder than my car is.

Hello Adam,

How noisy is the car with QS bypass pipes when at regular town speeds ?
Does the sport button still have the same effect of increasing the noise when switched on - and so is the car still ok ( more conspicuous ) for early morning start ups with sport deactivated ?

Also, what did your dealer say regarding warranty ?

Cheers

I've got the same bypass pipes as Adam (also fitted by the main dealer JCT).

I've also got the remote switch kit for the valves so it complicates things slightly.
Pressing the Sport button definitely makes things louder but nowhere near as much as additionally having the valve switch to open.
It's mental! I tend to drive everywhere with both switched on of course.

That said if I'm on a long run I can turn off the Sport and valves to cruise in near silence, best of both worlds I reckon.

No issues with warranty etc as the Quicksilver pipes come with a AM part number.

That sounds like exactly what i am after.

Out of interest, who fitted your valve switch, and do you recall the cost ?

Info is much appreciated !

[RobDown]

Flugplatz said:

AdamV12V said:

Seriously I struggle to believe the GT12 kit could sound much louder, and certainly struggle to see how it could be worth an additional £11,700 more.

Does it sound like this?

https://youtu.be/F5jmHUnpGug?t=1m17s

Turn it up.

The sound on that Chris Harris video is the reason I've got a GT8 coming