V8S in Autocar
Discussion
The Pits said:
V8S has done very well in this weeks Autocar best handling car shootout at rockingham. It came 3rd overall but was described as the moral victor and the surprise of the test.
Not bad going for the next-best Vantage
And where did the chassis improvements for the V8S first appear???Not bad going for the next-best Vantage
The dealer who sold me mine told me about this this morning.
I was about to post it but you beat me to it
The list of stuff it beat is pretty impressive!
Aston Martin Vantage S
BMW 1M
Caterham Seven Supersport
Jaguar XKR-S
Lotus Evora S
McLaren MP4-12C
Mercedes CLS63 AMG
Porsche 911 GT3 RS
Porsche Cayman R
Renault Megane Trophy
Vauxhall Corsa VXR
More info here if you are not an Autocar subscriber
http://www.motoringspy.co.uk/1529/porsche-cayman-r...
I was about to post it but you beat me to it
The list of stuff it beat is pretty impressive!
Aston Martin Vantage S
BMW 1M
Caterham Seven Supersport
Jaguar XKR-S
Lotus Evora S
McLaren MP4-12C
Mercedes CLS63 AMG
Porsche 911 GT3 RS
Porsche Cayman R
Renault Megane Trophy
Vauxhall Corsa VXR
More info here if you are not an Autocar subscriber
http://www.motoringspy.co.uk/1529/porsche-cayman-r...
Edited by mikey k on Friday 14th October 17:57
George H said:
At least it goes to prove that everyone who says "you need a manual for a driver's car" is speaking b
ks 
In your opinion. I'd agree that, on track, the flappy paddle box has its moments but there's an element of driving skill missing when you use flaps on the road, and for what? You're not going for a time on the road, so the flappy paddle box becomes just another sales gimmick (and an expensive one) for the F1-following must-have-the-latest-gizmo buyer. I'd even wager a shilling that the main reason manufacturers are turning exclusively to these boxes is because they contribute to improved CO2 stats - a crap reason for having one, I reckon.ks Still, ETTO.
GlynMo said:
In your opinion. I'd agree that, on track, the flappy paddle box has its moments but there's an element of driving skill missing when you use flaps on the road, and for what? You're not going for a time on the road, so the flappy paddle box becomes just another sales gimmick (and an expensive one) for the F1-following must-have-the-latest-gizmo buyer. I'd even wager a shilling that the main reason manufacturers are turning exclusively to these boxes is because they contribute to improved CO2 stats - a crap reason for having one, I reckon.
Still, ETTO.
I AGREE. A MANUAL BOX GIVES YOU A BETTER DRIVING EXPERIENCE FOR THE ROAD -IMOStill, ETTO.
KarlFranz said:
I wonder how many of you with the flappy-paddle boxes drive most or all of the time in "D" once the novelty wears off.
Only when cruising on the motor way, I used to be a manual man but ASM means I have more time and effort for the twisties it certainly made the mileage of my Alps trip easier. But as others have said ETTO FloPlast said:
I AGREE. A MANUAL BOX GIVES YOU A BETTER DRIVING EXPERIENCE FOR THE ROAD -IMO
In lower case letters, I have to agree. It's slower, it's less precise, F1 blah-blah but having three pedals makes me feel like I'm *really* driving a car. It gives a whole extra level of enjoyment and satisfaction.I don't believe for a second all 'driver's cars' must have a manual box, it's a matter of personal preference. It harks back to a tradition of motoring. When I'm in my cars, I feel like I am driving a car, not a game. I went from having 3 autos to having rid of all of them now and replacing them with manuals
Thought auto was the way forward to live in town, but you know what... it isn't necessarily. When I need a barge (Jag/Merc etc) I will go Auto. But I enjoy changing gear in everything from the `Landy to the Alfa!
Jockman said:
It might not like you Georgeous
Probably! I am slightly worried about driving a car with no electronics to fall back on. Hopefully, providing I can get a decent insurance quote, then I'll be getting one of them for the spring Edited by Jockman on Saturday 15th October 14:47
George H said:
Probably! I am slightly worried about driving a car with no electronics to fall back on.
Take some driving lessons then! 
I realise this marks me out as one of the 'more mature' drivers, but too many young drivers today can't actually drive well, and do need electronics to prevent them from disappearing ar$e first into the scenery. Especially those who learnt to drive in fwd cars and then buy a powerful rwd car. There's no shame in taking lessons from an expert at any stage of life.
George H said:
I hope you're right, I've got test drives in a TVR Tamora and a Lotus Exige coming up, and my main concern is that I don't get along with the manual box.
Interesting choices of cars, one all about the straight line speed, brutal acceleration and noise, and one all about the handling, all though both of them do the other very well! Polar opposites, so which complements the Aston? I have an Esprit turbo and my Marcos V8 so very similar to your choices as well. Both true sports cars.To partner a DB9 Volante... not sure which I'd go for. The Tamora I expect, more my style though as a front-engined ragtop it might be too close to the DB9 in concept? Drive sensibly in the dry and very carefully in the wet and you'll be fine. I don't think I ever set off my traction control (unless arsing about) in the DB9, I drive as if it isn't there as I've come from TVR and still have a V8 Marcos. The reason I don't turn it off is simply that it might save me in an extreme situation, for normal fast driving I don't activate it.
No question that I'd prefer a manual V8S if they offered one.
However I'd take a paddle shift over a bad manual. Fortunately the V12V box happens to be just about the slickest shifting cable operated box I've ever come across.
I absolutely concede that paddle shifting has advantages on the track, the chief one being able to keep both hands on the wheel at all times. I'm less convinced there's much of a speed advantage, like for like, as they tend to add weight and a decent manual can be hustled into respectably quick shifts.
For enjoyment on the road the manual box definitely adds driving pleasure. I've yet to drive an auto of any kind that adds to it.
Be under no illusions though, the V8S and V12v alike are fabulous road cars but they're not great track cars as standard. A reasonable lap time for their weight can be coaxed from them if you have no regard at all for the cost of tyres and brakes and the like but I'd have to admit there are better cars for the job, not including the obvious lightweights.
However I'd take a paddle shift over a bad manual. Fortunately the V12V box happens to be just about the slickest shifting cable operated box I've ever come across.
I absolutely concede that paddle shifting has advantages on the track, the chief one being able to keep both hands on the wheel at all times. I'm less convinced there's much of a speed advantage, like for like, as they tend to add weight and a decent manual can be hustled into respectably quick shifts.
For enjoyment on the road the manual box definitely adds driving pleasure. I've yet to drive an auto of any kind that adds to it.
Be under no illusions though, the V8S and V12v alike are fabulous road cars but they're not great track cars as standard. A reasonable lap time for their weight can be coaxed from them if you have no regard at all for the cost of tyres and brakes and the like but I'd have to admit there are better cars for the job, not including the obvious lightweights.
yeti said:
Interesting choices of cars, one all about the straight line speed, brutal acceleration and noise, and one all about the handling, all though both of them do the other very well! Polar opposites, so which complements the Aston? I have an Esprit turbo and my Marcos V8 so very similar to your choices as well. Both true sports cars.
To partner a DB9 Volante... not sure which I'd go for. The Tamora I expect, more my style though as a front-engined ragtop it might be too close to the DB9 in concept? Drive sensibly in the dry and very carefully in the wet and you'll be fine. I don't think I ever set off my traction control (unless arsing about) in the DB9, I drive as if it isn't there as I've come from TVR and still have a V8 Marcos. The reason I don't turn it off is simply that it might save me in an extreme situation, for normal fast driving I don't activate it.
I'm edging towards the Tamora, but I just don't know why. The noise is just sublime To partner a DB9 Volante... not sure which I'd go for. The Tamora I expect, more my style though as a front-engined ragtop it might be too close to the DB9 in concept? Drive sensibly in the dry and very carefully in the wet and you'll be fine. I don't think I ever set off my traction control (unless arsing about) in the DB9, I drive as if it isn't there as I've come from TVR and still have a V8 Marcos. The reason I don't turn it off is simply that it might save me in an extreme situation, for normal fast driving I don't activate it.
but I've read a lot of horror stories about them! It also has a nicer interior, but it was 4 years older than the Exige.The Lotus felt a bit cramped inside, and probably won't be as fast, or as useable.
I'm not sure if the Aston and TVR are a little bit too similar, so I might end up not using one of them. I would have to make sure it can fit in the garage too, don't fancy leaving that outside.
My view on TC is similar to yours. I've had it activated a couple of times, with the back end having a little wiggle when I accelerated out of a corner too early. It's nice to have that to fall back on, only takes one little mistake in the TVR I imagine, and I'm going through a hedge backwards.
I'll have wait until I have driven them both, and then decide in the new year
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