V12 vantage official

[flow99]

BenAstonV12 said:

GT3ZZZ said:

The carbons seats are the only way to go on this car.

Comfort seats would be like the 18 ways on a GT3RS, just a massive mistake and a resale disaster.

Not sure that is the right comparison to make that point. The V12 isn't in the same category as a GT3RS. The GT3RS is designed almost exclusively for the track, hence there isn't an option for "18 way sofas". The V12 - if making a Porsche comparison - is closer in philosophy to a GT3 and even then still has a more grand touring emphasis than track. You can option the GT3 with or without the rear wing, or with or without carbon bucket seats. Some, who want to daily a GT3, do go for the 18 way seats, esp with on the Touring. No one options a GT3RS without a rear spoiler or with sofas. Good example of people specing a car to actually it as they wish v flippers or those who buy a car based on some future resale value, imagined or otherwise. Also depends on what else you have in the garage I think, what else are you driving and how you intend to use the V12.

You can order the GT3RS with 18 way comfy seats, and has been done in the past and been a resale diaster, however, you cannot order the RS without the wing. I have specced a GT3 with carbon buckets and a GT3 touring with comfy seats, however, I would consider the V12S to be more extreme than a GT3 touring and feel that carbon buckets is the only option, but each to their own decision.

[EVR]

Tasty spec at AM Milano...

[Mustang Baz]

And another one incoming @ Romans - pictures not yet available. £335k.

https://www.romansinternational.com/used-vehicle-d...

[Minglar]

Six cars available on AT today, five coupes and perhaps somewhat surprisingly, one roadster too.

The coupes range from £319,995 to £350,000 (two are being offered for sale through AM MDs)

The roadster is at an independent, yours for £379,950.

Best Regards

Minglar

ETA, and I found another one on PH for sale at an AM MD for £324,995, which looks suspiciously like the CC car. I wonder if they have bought it or the flipper decided to change his strategy?

Edited by Minglar on Friday 3rd March 19:51

[Ninja59]

Minglar said:

Six cars available on AT today, five coupes and perhaps somewhat surprisingly, one roadster too.

The coupes range from £319,995 to £350,000 (two are being offered for sale through AM MDs)

The roadster is at an independent, yours for £379,950.

Best Regards

Minglar

ETA, and I found another one on PH for sale at an AM MD for £324,995, which looks suspiciously like the CC car. I wonder if they have bought it or the flipper decided to change his strategy?

Edited by Minglar on Friday 3rd March 19:51

Yes the one at Hatfield in all black with sports plus seats is the CC car. Number 231.

Western Avenue have a Royal Indigo car for sale (I think there allocation was about 5 or 6 from memory), incidentally where the grey Valkyrie was handed over last Friday.

Cheltenham have a Xenon grey car for sale (the silicon badges look weird on the seats in comparison with the stitched ones). Number 221.

Pricing 325k+.

The sports seats are already clearly impacting 231 (or possibly the history is), 500 miles but £5k less than the other two which are both 1,100 or 1,300 miles both with the carbon seats.

[BenAstonV12]

New V12 finally arrived. Picked her up this weekend. Amazing car. Super happy with all the spec choices, even better in real life. Always a slight worry to see the actual car and colours v the configurator. V12 engine noise slightly muted, compared to the DBS, not as deep or 'barky'. Even the V8 Vantage and DBX 707 have a more noticeable note, but the V12 sounds good when pushed. Ride is great. Was worried after Steve Sutcliffe's less that stellar review that the ride would be too firm. Not sure what he was talking about, he must have had a bad day when he reviewed it, Henry Catchpole got it right. Even in the stiffest 'track' setting the car has more compliance than my GT3. In 'regular' Sport setting it rides just fine. Firm, yes, but very usable, dampers do a great job. Steering feels weighty, more like the DBS than the V8 Vantage, very little body roll. As Harry Metcalfe put it, it feels special when you drive it, as all Astons should. Gets lots of approving looks. Mid-range punch is great. A little turbo lag but very linear in power delivery. Chassis and overall balance of the car is exceptional. The engineers nailed it. It hides the extra weight really well. Feels like a car you can track and have a lot of fun, grand tour in it in comfort, and drive the streets with ease and style. Not the best in any one category compared to others (GT3, STO, 720s, Bentley GT etc), but it is outstanding for all the things it can do, so well. Taking it easy for the first few hundred miles, but overall first impression, as I said at the start, it's an amazing car to own and drive. Hope others enjoy theirs too.

[Davil]

Wonderful Ben. Photos?

[nickv12]

BenAstonV12 said:

New V12 finally arrived. Picked her up this weekend. Amazing car. Super happy with all the spec choices, even better in real life. Always a slight worry to see the actual car and colours v the configurator. V12 engine noise slightly muted, compared to the DBS, not as deep or 'barky'. Even the V8 Vantage and DBX 707 have a more noticeable note, but the V12 sounds good when pushed. Ride is great. Was worried after Steve Sutcliffe's less that stellar review that the ride would be too firm. Not sure what he was talking about, he must have had a bad day when he reviewed it, Henry Catchpole got it right. Even in the stiffest 'track' setting the car has more compliance than my GT3. In 'regular' Sport setting it rides just fine. Firm, yes, but very usable, dampers do a great job. Steering feels weighty, more like the DBS than the V8 Vantage, very little body roll. As Harry Metcalfe put it, it feels special when you drive it, as all Astons should. Gets lots of approving looks. Mid-range punch is great. A little turbo lag but very linear in power delivery. Chassis and overall balance of the car is exceptional. The engineers nailed it. It hides the extra weight really well. Feels like a car you can track and have a lot of fun, grand tour in it in comfort, and drive the streets with ease and style. Not the best in any one category compared to others (GT3, STO, 720s, Bentley GT etc), but it is outstanding for all the things it can do, so well. Taking it easy for the first few hundred miles, but overall first impression, as I said at the start, it's an amazing car to own and drive. Hope others enjoy theirs too.

Really good read, Ben. Nice to understand that the ride isn’t compromised. What is the steering feel like at low and high speeds? I can only presume that the brakes are impressive.

And photos, please

[BenAstonV12]

nickv12 said:

Really good read, Ben. Nice to understand that the ride isn’t compromised. What is the steering feel like at low and high speeds? I can only presume that the brakes are impressive.

And photos, please

Thanks Nick. I'd have to spend more time with her to get a true sense of the steering feel at different speeds, but they've clearly weighted the steering more "heavily" compared to the V8. It's very precise though, good feedback through the wheel. Overall it is actually closer (ish) to the new GT3, but with the rawness of the GT3 replaced by a smoother, more comfortable and refined ride - but still engaged. It's not blistering fast off the line (though I've not tried to push it yet, too few miles for that, my guess is the 707 with launch control will probably jump it for the first 100 meters or so), but being a V12 you have a sense of constant, available power that will keep pulling from just about any speed above 40mph. Photos to come....

[BenAstonV12]

Davil said:

Wonderful Ben. Photos?

Thanks Davil, will post some photos shortly.

[nathwraith1]

It’s insane seeing how many V12’s are now up for sale.

Chatting to a friend who was lucky enough to get a V12 coupe, he’s actually sold his back to Aston now. As originally there was no V12 roadster in the pipeline when he committed, only V12 coupe owners were eligible to purchase a V12 roadster so naturally many coupes are up for sale. Those with itchy feet on the V12 coupe are selling up now too it would seem.

I think the V12 car is fantastic but the price was always alittle crazy for me, not that I got the special invitation to buy!

[ThomW]

I still can’t believe there’s a Roadster for sale already!

[Minglar]

nathwraith1 said:

It’s insane seeing how many V12’s are now up for sale.

Chatting to a friend who was lucky enough to get a V12 coupe, he’s actually sold his back to Aston now. As originally there was no V12 roadster in the pipeline when he committed, only V12 coupe owners were eligible to purchase a V12 roadster so naturally many coupes are up for sale. Those with itchy feet on the V12 coupe are selling up now too it would seem.

I think the V12 car is fantastic but the price was always alittle crazy for me, not that I got the special invitation to buy!

It’s quite ironic really and so typical of AM nowadays. The only people eligible to buy V12 Vantage Roadster were the same people who bought V12 Vantage Coupe, and who were told that a Roadster version was never going to be produced. Some people had letters from dealers to emphasise that point. Although as many of us said on here at the time, it happened before, so was very likely to happen again…….as it clearly did. It won’t be long before UK Coupes start changing hands for something beginning with a “2” imho. The prices currently being asked for these cars are highly optimistic. Time will tell I guess.

Best Regards

Minglar

[BenAstonV12]

Edited by BenAstonV12 on Monday 13th March 21:50

[BenAstonV12]

Edited by BenAstonV12 on Monday 13th March 21:47

[Davil]

Love it.

[nickv12]

BenAstonV12 said:

Thanks Nick. I'd have to spend more time with her to get a true sense of the steering feel at different speeds, but they've clearly weighted the steering more "heavily" compared to the V8. It's very precise though, good feedback through the wheel. Overall it is actually closer (ish) to the new GT3, but with the rawness of the GT3 replaced by a smoother, more comfortable and refined ride - but still engaged. It's not blistering fast off the line (though I've not tried to push it yet, too few miles for that, my guess is the 707 with launch control will probably jump it for the first 100 meters or so), but being a V12 you have a sense of constant, available power that will keep pulling from just about any speed above 40mph. Photos to come....

Thanks, Ben. Excellent to read all this. It starts to sound more and more like the modern take on the previous VH-era V12S, especially with its lean towards GT and the elastic-feeling of endless power.

And having now seen the photos, wow! I wouldn't have been brave enough, but the green/red combo really works for me. Genuine traditional racer vibe, in a great way. Enjoy!

[BenAstonV12]

Davil said:

Love it.

Thanks Davil! Super happy with how the car turned out, drives.

[Westlondondriver]

BenAstonV12 said:

Edited by BenAstonV12 on Monday 13th March 21:50

Great colour. Do love a green Aston!

[BenAstonV12]

nickv12 said:

Thanks, Ben. Excellent to read all this. It starts to sound more and more like the modern take on the previous VH-era V12S, especially with its lean towards GT and the elastic-feeling of endless power.

And having now seen the photos, wow! I wouldn't have been brave enough, but the green/red combo really works for me. Genuine traditional racer vibe, in a great way. Enjoy!

Thanks,

Yeah, as you can imagine, we went back and forth on the colour, between going bold (almost went Gulf Blue/orange) or keeping it more traditional with some neutral colors like silver/grey. In the end we decided to pay homage to my partner's uncle's car, an amazing DB4 GT that he had for years and raced until he recently sold it. Jim Clark apparently raced it too. It was a classic British racing green but with red decals rather than the traditional Aston lime green, apparently so it could be differentiated from the other Astons when racing at night. Once we decided on that nod to the past we looked at different greens. Goodwood green would have been closest to the colour of the original DB4 but it's a bit too flat. And the new British Racing Greens are great but felt too modern, too light in tone, so we went for Buckinghamshire green as it's a more traditional green but with some metallic fleck. We then matched the red decals though going for full red wheels would have been too much so we got a Q request in for a pin stripe on the wheels, that I think nicely ties together the rest of the red lines when you look from the side. (Plus it kinda matches our GT3 too). On the back we deleted that extra colour bar that cars with the front 'lipstick' all have. We saw some of the early cars and we really didn't like how much extra color was on the back. Danger with going with green and red, if you over do it you've basically designed a Christmas tree with wheels. So we got another Q request in to keep the front lipstick but delete the rear graphic which was a great decision in the end. So glad we did that. Plus we colour matched the rear wing. Another Q request but it makes such a difference to help the visual flow at the rear of the car so that the wing feels more integrated into the car's lines rather than being an unnecessary distraction. A few folks on here said they'd delete the wing but IMHO that's the wrong way to go for what this car was meant to be and its differentiation, with the beautiful wing, compared to the standard Vantage and even the F1's wing. Colour matching the center of the rear wing helps, I think, to overcome some of concerns about the wing's visual fit with the lines of the car. In the end, given the history of the Vantage V12, I think we got the balance between racing heritage and a modern interpretation of that just about right. But each to their own, I'm sure every new owner has reasons for their choices which make sense to them.
Some photos of the original DB4 GT that inspired our car attached.