V12VantageS Autocar.

[cayman-black]

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/aston-martin/v...

[AWV12]

Thx, interesting article pity there is no video included.

Even more pity that AM did not manage to put in a decent (manual or double-clutch) gearbox in this car, that would make it perfect.

Had similar thoughts when I test drove the Vanquish Volante this week (that has a classical auto box with torque convertor). Not bad, but not perfect. Will report extensively later this weekend.

Let's hope the deal with AMG will result in some progress for AM.

[hornbaek]

Completely agree with the double vs single clutch. Astons seems to fall behind one generation in every department these days. I drove the F12 recently and that gearbox is sublime whereas the V12 VS is all right but not perfect, certainly not for a £ 150k car these days. The Vanquish is the same. Pretty car but just not sporting enough with that gearbox.

[whoami]

Agreed.

The gearbox kills it.

[Chamboy]

I guess several of us have already an initial ''feel' of the ASM 3 with the pre-launch track sessions - but for me the proper test will be next Tues when we get to have an hr on the road at the dealer launch day(s?) - personally speaking I never got to grips with ASM 2 in the V8s and thankfully we chose the V12V :-). BTW thanks to the guys at HROwen in Cheltenham for the invites - should be 'interesting',

Andy

[yeti]

Seems positive overall...

Shame there's no 3 pedal manual, but if they did make it, they'd only sell half a dozen!

[Fantuzzi]

http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evocarreviews/2909...

Shame about the manual as others have said, such a shame the standard V12V has been axed.
I was surprised to hear the gearbox saved 25kg over the manual, normally manuals are lighter than paddle

[Zod]

Chamboy said:

I guess several of us have already an initial ''feel' of the ASM 3 with the pre-launch track sessions - but for me the proper test will be next Tues when we get to have an hr on the road at the dealer launch day(s?) - personally speaking I never got to grips with ASM 2 in the V8s and thankfully we chose the V12V :-). BTW thanks to the guys at HROwen in Cheltenham for the invites - should be 'interesting',

Andy

I'm doing the same this week, having driven it on track the week before last. On track, I thought the gearbox was fine. On the road, I just want a manual.

Evo's article is very positive, by the way.