I've driven the V12VS Manual
Discussion
Yes, the V12VS Manual - there is only one in existence, the grey one with the yellow accents that we've seen in all the tests. It already has 1200 miles on the clock.
I didn't get to drive it far, just back roads around Park Royal and the NSL bit of the A40. As every tester has reported, the gearbox takes some getting used to. You just nudge it up from first to second. Second to third requires gentle pressure to the left. Third to fourth and fourth to fifth just go with the spring. Sixth and seventh present no issues. The initial fumbling mostly involves getting fourth instead of second the first couple of goes and then, a few times more than that, getting fifth rather than third. I also had the odd issue going down the last few gears at first, but I got there.
The AMshift is nice, blipping the downshifts and smoothing upshifts. You almost don't need it because they've sorted the pedals out so that they now work for heel and toe (the V12V's accelerator is a bit too low). I like having the switchable suspension. It's good on bad London roads and there are roads I know in the Dales on which it would help to keep the wheels in contact with the tarmac.
The dash and media interface are nice improvements.
I have to say that I've never been quite sure about the big chrome stick and I felt more comfortable with the shorter one.
I didn't get to drive it far, just back roads around Park Royal and the NSL bit of the A40. As every tester has reported, the gearbox takes some getting used to. You just nudge it up from first to second. Second to third requires gentle pressure to the left. Third to fourth and fourth to fifth just go with the spring. Sixth and seventh present no issues. The initial fumbling mostly involves getting fourth instead of second the first couple of goes and then, a few times more than that, getting fifth rather than third. I also had the odd issue going down the last few gears at first, but I got there.
The AMshift is nice, blipping the downshifts and smoothing upshifts. You almost don't need it because they've sorted the pedals out so that they now work for heel and toe (the V12V's accelerator is a bit too low). I like having the switchable suspension. It's good on bad London roads and there are roads I know in the Dales on which it would help to keep the wheels in contact with the tarmac.
The dash and media interface are nice improvements.
I have to say that I've never been quite sure about the big chrome stick and I felt more comfortable with the shorter one.
I drove it yesterday too.
No problems with the shift really. I found that the biggest problem was thinking you were going to have a problem. Very quick shift and lovely clutch.
And you're right, now heel and toe-able!
Biggest difference I found was just how much better the cornering was with adaptive suspension; literally on rails.
I'm going to get one!!
No problems with the shift really. I found that the biggest problem was thinking you were going to have a problem. Very quick shift and lovely clutch.
And you're right, now heel and toe-able!
Biggest difference I found was just how much better the cornering was with adaptive suspension; literally on rails.
I'm going to get one!!
Ex Boy Racer said:
I drove it yesterday too.
No problems with the shift really. I found that the biggest problem was thinking you were going to have a problem. Very quick shift and lovely clutch.
And you're right, now heel and toe-able!
Biggest difference I found was just how much better the cornering was with adaptive suspension; literally on rails.
I'm going to get one!!
Have you ordered Boy?No problems with the shift really. I found that the biggest problem was thinking you were going to have a problem. Very quick shift and lovely clutch.
And you're right, now heel and toe-able!
Biggest difference I found was just how much better the cornering was with adaptive suspension; literally on rails.
I'm going to get one!!
Adam on here is getting one of the first i believe.
cayman-black said:
Adam on here is getting one of the first i believe.
I was supposed to be getting one of the first with a July build, but its now been put back to October, for which I am still awaiting an explanation, so it looks like others will beat me now - for sure the Spitfire cars will be delivered before mine.Great to hear the pedals are improved (didn't know that had changed), that gearbox is great and that they might make some final tweaks for the production cars. I haven't driven it myself yet (I have a confirmed slot for 5th Aug) but I would expect that within a couple of days the changes and layout will become second nature.
I am very much looking forward to both my test drive and the actual delivery!
Beefmeister said:
I'm led to believe that they're working on the 2nd-3rd shift so it's going to be a straight pull.
2nd to 3rd is a straight pull, but its a spring loaded gate, whereas, 4th/5th is the gear levers natural [unloaded] gate. 1st to 2nd is just a gentle push forward, while keeping a little pressure left to make sure of 2nd, rather than 4th.
Edited by roughrider on Friday 22 July 08:40
Edited by roughrider on Friday 22 July 08:42
cayman-black said:
Ex Boy Racer said:
I drove it yesterday too.
No problems with the shift really. I found that the biggest problem was thinking you were going to have a problem. Very quick shift and lovely clutch.
And you're right, now heel and toe-able!
Biggest difference I found was just how much better the cornering was with adaptive suspension; literally on rails.
I'm going to get one!!
Have you ordered Boy?No problems with the shift really. I found that the biggest problem was thinking you were going to have a problem. Very quick shift and lovely clutch.
And you're right, now heel and toe-able!
Biggest difference I found was just how much better the cornering was with adaptive suspension; literally on rails.
I'm going to get one!!
Adam on here is getting one of the first i believe.
I had a drive in it on Saturday at Stratstone Amersham. Having read all the road tests my major concern was the gearbox. Steve, the driver from Aston Martin explained and then showed me how to use the gearbox with the bias on the 4th/5th plain. I must say when I drove it the gearbox was a lot easier than I feared. I found the change that was the hardest was 4th to 3rd where you have to be careful not to put it into 1st. I have no doubt that anyone that buys one will quickly develop the muscle memory and have no trouble with the gearbox.
As for the car as a package, I have owned a V8 4.7 from new in 2009 and I have been planning to change it for a V12 vantage which I will keep for 20 years plus. Having driven both the V12 and now the V12s I will probably get the V12s towards the end of production (when hopefully a special edition or special deals are available). I am very much of the opinion that a manual V12s Aston is as fast as I will ever need. In the future of digital, drive by wire technology laden cars an analogue, V12 manual Aston Martin that is as pretty as any car in the last 40 years will be heaven for years to come.
As for the car as a package, I have owned a V8 4.7 from new in 2009 and I have been planning to change it for a V12 vantage which I will keep for 20 years plus. Having driven both the V12 and now the V12s I will probably get the V12s towards the end of production (when hopefully a special edition or special deals are available). I am very much of the opinion that a manual V12s Aston is as fast as I will ever need. In the future of digital, drive by wire technology laden cars an analogue, V12 manual Aston Martin that is as pretty as any car in the last 40 years will be heaven for years to come.
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