Vantage F1 - small writeup
Discussion
Got a F1 Vantage loan car whilst my DBX is in for a service. Had it two days now and give it back on Friday.
A brief car history from me, owned: W204 C63 coupe, 2017 Nissan GTR, 2020 Supra(600bhp), C63 W205 estate, 2020 DBX & 2016 NSX. I've had the pleasure of driving the V12 DB11, DBS SL, a "regular" new Vantage, Huracan LP 610-4, R8 V10+, B7 RS4.
Changes over the regular Vantage are:
- Aero kit
- 21” wheels
- Revised suspension & bump stops
- Under panels aero & thickness
- Revised gearbox settings
- Power up from 503bhp to 527bhp
- Carbon roof, bonnet vents, mirror caps & side gills.
- Alcantara/leather interior
Some observations, mainly in comparison to my NSX.
- Car feels stiff, 21" wheels & P zeros make it so.
- Steering is fast but plenty of feel
- Brakes (these are steel) are particularly good, 400mm discs so up to the task
- Engine has lots of low down torque as to be expected from the AMG 4.0 but can overwhelm the rears in these conditions. Revs beautifully, not too dissimilar to my DBX and sounds sweeter at the top end compared to my old C63. Negative is that these cars now have OPFs which do restrict the sound vs earlier cars.
- The ZF gearbox is great, no complaints here, super quick on the downshifts and the paddles are so special to use.
- Looks, I love the gloss green with the carbon bits and wing but I would lose the black stripe. I actually prefer the bright grill & wheels in person now vs the black. Even the lime green is growing on me.
- Interior, dark but very spacious for a 2 seater, way more storage than my NSX especially the boot, you may call it mildly practical! I don't love the stuck on screen but nearly every car has these currently so whatever.
- Infotainment, and old merc system, its familiar to me, does the job, never been one to buy a car based off infotainment so its fine by me.
The driving experience is great. genuinely feels special to get in (thanks to those trick doors) and just drive around normally. The engine is great at low revs too, letting you know there’s a big V8 up there. Handling is ultra-sharp, I would say even sharper than the NSX, the price to pay is the stiffness, not crashy but stiff. It's really a car you have to get under the skin of, feed the throttle in gently, keep on top of that fast front end, where you'll find so much grip and the rear will do it's job.
I'm finding it a more rewarding car to drive quickly than the NSX even if it isn't as fast. Also more fun at normal driving speeds however I'm not sure it is a capable when you really go 10/10s. I'd love to take it on track and see what it can do out there.
The issue is, I'm looking at £60K to change and the honest truth is that it’s not £60K better, or really "better" at all, just different & newer.
I do really like it though! They are only taking orders for the F1 edition until the end of this year with a total production of circa 100 cars for the UK. So whilst not limited in build slots, it is by nature so could prove to be better on residuals than a regular Vantage.
I did drive a 19.5 model year “regular” Vantage recently and the F1 is considering more focussed, more than the journalists let on. However the older car sounded a lot better, pre OPF of course. With good spec “older” new vantages sitting at around £100K they are looking like a great buy, alas not a special looking as the F1 to me.
If this was my car, I’ do the OPF delete & get it on PS4s tyres straight away.
Some pics:
A brief car history from me, owned: W204 C63 coupe, 2017 Nissan GTR, 2020 Supra(600bhp), C63 W205 estate, 2020 DBX & 2016 NSX. I've had the pleasure of driving the V12 DB11, DBS SL, a "regular" new Vantage, Huracan LP 610-4, R8 V10+, B7 RS4.
Changes over the regular Vantage are:
- Aero kit
- 21” wheels
- Revised suspension & bump stops
- Under panels aero & thickness
- Revised gearbox settings
- Power up from 503bhp to 527bhp
- Carbon roof, bonnet vents, mirror caps & side gills.
- Alcantara/leather interior
Some observations, mainly in comparison to my NSX.
- Car feels stiff, 21" wheels & P zeros make it so.
- Steering is fast but plenty of feel
- Brakes (these are steel) are particularly good, 400mm discs so up to the task
- Engine has lots of low down torque as to be expected from the AMG 4.0 but can overwhelm the rears in these conditions. Revs beautifully, not too dissimilar to my DBX and sounds sweeter at the top end compared to my old C63. Negative is that these cars now have OPFs which do restrict the sound vs earlier cars.
- The ZF gearbox is great, no complaints here, super quick on the downshifts and the paddles are so special to use.
- Looks, I love the gloss green with the carbon bits and wing but I would lose the black stripe. I actually prefer the bright grill & wheels in person now vs the black. Even the lime green is growing on me.
- Interior, dark but very spacious for a 2 seater, way more storage than my NSX especially the boot, you may call it mildly practical! I don't love the stuck on screen but nearly every car has these currently so whatever.
- Infotainment, and old merc system, its familiar to me, does the job, never been one to buy a car based off infotainment so its fine by me.
The driving experience is great. genuinely feels special to get in (thanks to those trick doors) and just drive around normally. The engine is great at low revs too, letting you know there’s a big V8 up there. Handling is ultra-sharp, I would say even sharper than the NSX, the price to pay is the stiffness, not crashy but stiff. It's really a car you have to get under the skin of, feed the throttle in gently, keep on top of that fast front end, where you'll find so much grip and the rear will do it's job.
I'm finding it a more rewarding car to drive quickly than the NSX even if it isn't as fast. Also more fun at normal driving speeds however I'm not sure it is a capable when you really go 10/10s. I'd love to take it on track and see what it can do out there.
The issue is, I'm looking at £60K to change and the honest truth is that it’s not £60K better, or really "better" at all, just different & newer.
I do really like it though! They are only taking orders for the F1 edition until the end of this year with a total production of circa 100 cars for the UK. So whilst not limited in build slots, it is by nature so could prove to be better on residuals than a regular Vantage.
I did drive a 19.5 model year “regular” Vantage recently and the F1 is considering more focussed, more than the journalists let on. However the older car sounded a lot better, pre OPF of course. With good spec “older” new vantages sitting at around £100K they are looking like a great buy, alas not a special looking as the F1 to me.
If this was my car, I’ do the OPF delete & get it on PS4s tyres straight away.
Some pics:
EVR said:
I think it looks ace BUT the rear wing. The new Vantage is growing on me even if I would probably go for a regular one and maybe Roadster.
Anyway, the OCD in me is very pleased for the correct shape on the NSX plate!
Yeah the wing certainly divides opinion. I do still need to take a roadster out but I sat in one in the show room and with the room up my head is lightly touching the roof. So maybe a no go?Anyway, the OCD in me is very pleased for the correct shape on the NSX plate!
Aha yes the much critised NSX plate. I did run plateless for a few years but the local constabulary clocked onto me recently so I've had to abide by the rules.
Love the write up - thanks!
In conjunction with a mate we have ordered one (gloss black, lime calipers and interior trim). Arrives mid year hopefully.
Plan is to share it on alternate drives (we both have VH Vantages)
Can't wait for it to arrive and your thoughts are just what we want the car to be like.
Graze
In conjunction with a mate we have ordered one (gloss black, lime calipers and interior trim). Arrives mid year hopefully.
Plan is to share it on alternate drives (we both have VH Vantages)
Can't wait for it to arrive and your thoughts are just what we want the car to be like.
Graze
SHIFTY said:
Not sure that you can delete the rear wing looks totally out of place on the roaster when using the configurator.
See I think the wing looks better on the convertible than the coupe. Graze01 said:
Love the write up - thanks!
In conjunction with a mate we have ordered one (gloss black, lime calipers and interior trim). Arrives mid year hopefully.
Plan is to share it on alternate drives (we both have VH Vantages)
Can't wait for it to arrive and your thoughts are just what we want the car to be like.
Graze
I don't think you will be disappointed. The car is incredible. I would certainly look at getting the OPFs changed out for a proper noise though. Quicksilver do a set for around £1.1K iirc. In conjunction with a mate we have ordered one (gloss black, lime calipers and interior trim). Arrives mid year hopefully.
Plan is to share it on alternate drives (we both have VH Vantages)
Can't wait for it to arrive and your thoughts are just what we want the car to be like.
Graze
Jon39 said:
How many years of forum moaning did it take, before AML reluctantly fitted the traditional grille ?
They now even offer an official (dealer fit) factory vaned grille, for any 2018 onwards Vantage.
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