RE: Aston Martin V12 Vantage S Manual
Discussion
Can't but applaud this. A car that demands your fullest attention is a wonderful and rare thing these day. The fact that it takes time to master the dog leg box (in my opinion a superior option to the Porker arrangement) is part of the charm. There is the potential for a good shift, a competent heel and toe, the extra involvement a DCT or automated manual denies you. I own a Triumph TT600 which is a bike that demands your fullest attention. As an early bike it has slightly sketchy low speed fueling and a really hot cam arrangement that makes 10-14K ballistic. Is it as smooth and easy as contemporaries from the Japs? Is it as competent as the wonderful 675 triples that Triumph now makes? The answer to both is no, but I love the TT600 because you have to think things through and difference between a great corner and a bad one is entirely down to me - the bike is a challenge. Gains in competency often result in losses in driving pleasure and engagement. How many 911 drivers hanker for the rear engine mechanical feel of a 964 or a 993? What Aston have done with the manual V12V is make a car that's a challenge and, had I the readies, I'd have one in a heartbeat.
Shift action looks slick and precise in this video at least.
But his reports of confusion and unfamiliarity are similar.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMwp2bNBLv4
I don't believe for one moment that it would be difficult to drive like an old Lamborghini or edgy like a TVR Tuscan. I owned a V12 Vantage and it was a total pussy cat, beautifully balanced. Very easy to drive in the grand scheme of things, for anyone outside of the 'stick it in D' brigade at least.
But his reports of confusion and unfamiliarity are similar.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMwp2bNBLv4
I don't believe for one moment that it would be difficult to drive like an old Lamborghini or edgy like a TVR Tuscan. I owned a V12 Vantage and it was a total pussy cat, beautifully balanced. Very easy to drive in the grand scheme of things, for anyone outside of the 'stick it in D' brigade at least.
twinturban said:
I've still never heard anyone describe how the new S engine compares to the 510bhp version. Does the car feel any faster than the early V12 Vantage? Does it feel more powerful at higher revs or is it an incremental increase across the rev range? It sounds identical on video, does it sound any different in reality?
Given your experience of the original car you're probably in a better position to comment than I am so maybe you need to book a test drive and report back for us! It's been a while since I drove the first gen V12 but, as I remember it, the shift wasn't as good as this new one. The new one feels to have a shorter throw and a slightly tighter gate too. As for the engines I think the AM28 generation V12 - especially in this application - feels stronger across the board, with a definite sense of improved breathing and a more exciting top end. Again, you probably have more recent memory than I do but my recollection of the original V12 Vantage was that it was hugely brawny but not instinctively an engine you'd seek to rev out. The AM28 doesn't feel as restricted, spins more freely and keeps giving all the way to the redline. Though opportunities to do that are somewhat limited on the road, it has to be said. I'll have to read back on my notes but I'd venture there's a bit less inertia in the later engine too; that or a better throttle response. It certainly feels easier and more instinctive to heel'n'toe than the first one. And while I respect your more extensive experience of the car you owned I think the ride and handling in the second-gen cars is night and day better. I remember the original I drove really struggling for traction over bumps but this car could take meaningful amounts of throttle on bumpy roads like the one in the vid clip without getting too flighty. I know a chap with a first-gen V12 so next time we get a go in this new one I'll give him a shout and perhaps we can drive them back to back to offer a more meaningful comparison. Before that we've got a follow up to this story with another interesting alternative that we shot and drove on the same day. But I won't spoil the surprise on that one!
Cheers,
Dan
These guys get it: "And then we have the gearbox. Oh that glorious gearbox. This is what a dogleg layout was made for. Putting the gears you use in straight lines just makes so much sense, you have to wonder why every gearbox isn't designed this way. "
From Road and Track http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/first-drives/...
This is an inspired decision from AM, a tip of the hat to those who want to take the time to connect with their car. All 100 to be released in the US are already taken, while on Pistonheads we're moaning about stripes and difficult to use gearboxes. Really?!
From Road and Track http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/first-drives/...
This is an inspired decision from AM, a tip of the hat to those who want to take the time to connect with their car. All 100 to be released in the US are already taken, while on Pistonheads we're moaning about stripes and difficult to use gearboxes. Really?!
Dan Trent said:
Given your experience of the original car you're probably in a better position to comment than I am so maybe you need to book a test drive and report back for us! It's been a while since I drove the first gen V12 but, as I remember it, the shift wasn't as good as this new one. The new one feels to have a shorter throw and a slightly tighter gate too. As for the engines I think the AM28 generation V12 - especially in this application - feels stronger across the board, with a definite sense of improved breathing and a more exciting top end. Again, you probably have more recent memory than I do but my recollection of the original V12 Vantage was that it was hugely brawny but not instinctively an engine you'd seek to rev out. The AM28 doesn't feel as restricted, spins more freely and keeps giving all the way to the redline. Though opportunities to do that are somewhat limited on the road, it has to be said. I'll have to read back on my notes but I'd venture there's a bit less inertia in the later engine too; that or a better throttle response. It certainly feels easier and more instinctive to heel'n'toe than the first one. And while I respect your more extensive experience of the car you owned I think the ride and handling in the second-gen cars is night and day better. I remember the original I drove really struggling for traction over bumps but this car could take meaningful amounts of throttle on bumpy roads like the one in the vid clip without getting too flighty.
I know a chap with a first-gen V12 so next time we get a go in this new one I'll give him a shout and perhaps we can drive them back to back to offer a more meaningful comparison. Before that we've got a follow up to this story with another interesting alternative that we shot and drove on the same day. But I won't spoil the surprise on that one!
Cheers,
Dan
Thanks Dan. Sounds like Matt Becker has had some input on the chassis development which can only be a good thing.I know a chap with a first-gen V12 so next time we get a go in this new one I'll give him a shout and perhaps we can drive them back to back to offer a more meaningful comparison. Before that we've got a follow up to this story with another interesting alternative that we shot and drove on the same day. But I won't spoil the surprise on that one!
Cheers,
Dan
See, now you make the car sound utterly amazing. I was getting by just fine not wanting an S thanks to the Sportshift III, now this!
Edited by twinturban on Thursday 19th May 15:14
fblm said:
Pennyroyal Tea said:
Dan Trent said:
Skyfall Silver
Jesus. Really?No one need know there's any movie connection with your silver car unless you tell them.
Impasse said:
The colour (Skyfall silver) was developed specifically for the DBS used in the film. It was subsequently made available for retail.
No one need know there's any movie connection with your silver car unless you tell them.
"What colour is your Aston?",No one need know there's any movie connection with your silver car unless you tell them.
"Silver".
Job done.
Unless you tell them it is Skyfall Silver, in which case you should have your eyes removed with a red hot tea spoon.
Impasse said:
The colour (Skyfall silver) was developed specifically for the DBS used in the film. It was subsequently made available for retail.
No one need know there's any movie connection with your silver car unless you tell them.
Skyfall didn't have the DBS. You might have got away with that with Quantum silver.No one need know there's any movie connection with your silver car unless you tell them.
OwenK said:
Impasse said:
The colour (Skyfall silver) was developed specifically for the DBS used in the film. It was subsequently made available for retail.
No one need know there's any movie connection with your silver car unless you tell them.
Skyfall didn't have the DBS. You might have got away with that with Quantum silver.No one need know there's any movie connection with your silver car unless you tell them.
Along with the majority of others on here I think it is fantastic. About time a top end car producer went a little off the trail. A manual in a modern V12 
.. I too wish I had a spare £140,000. Lovely, brilliant and beautiful.
I actually like the racing livery. This one or the Green/Yellow combination would do me. I am not sure how anyone can critisize such a lovely looking beast. A veritable Sophie Loren/Brigitte Bardot/or quite aptly Ursula Andress (in their day of course). A little like classical music I suppose ie not everyone likes it but it is stirring all the same.
Furthermore anyone who complains about a dogleg gearbox clearly has not driven one. Essentially it is just 'different' from the standard and does not take long to pick up. I put my old e34 M5 in for repairs a few years ago and got given a M535i complete with dogleg from the previous generation and after a day or two was all over it. I was told that the dogleg was for race cars as it was more efficient/quick. If my e39 M5 was anything to go by you could pull away in 2nd anyway so I am sure this Aston Martin V12 will be just fine.
Maybe when I grow up I will cash in my 'fleet' and get one but by then the few bought will be held in private collections.
Pip
.. I too wish I had a spare £140,000. Lovely, brilliant and beautiful.I actually like the racing livery. This one or the Green/Yellow combination would do me. I am not sure how anyone can critisize such a lovely looking beast. A veritable Sophie Loren/Brigitte Bardot/or quite aptly Ursula Andress (in their day of course). A little like classical music I suppose ie not everyone likes it but it is stirring all the same.
Furthermore anyone who complains about a dogleg gearbox clearly has not driven one. Essentially it is just 'different' from the standard and does not take long to pick up. I put my old e34 M5 in for repairs a few years ago and got given a M535i complete with dogleg from the previous generation and after a day or two was all over it. I was told that the dogleg was for race cars as it was more efficient/quick. If my e39 M5 was anything to go by you could pull away in 2nd anyway so I am sure this Aston Martin V12 will be just fine.
Maybe when I grow up I will cash in my 'fleet' and get one but by then the few bought will be held in private collections.
Pip
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