Being the fastest regular production car that came out from the company’s production line, the Aston Martin V12 Vantage S is a car that will certainly make an appeal to all the car enthusiasts around the world.
Just like the V12 Vantage, this new S model comes with some serious improvements to its power and overall performance. The old 510bhp 5.9-litre V12 engine is now replaced with a specifically-tuned AM28-spec 5.9 V12 which is capable of 565bhp at 6750rpm. The torque is now up to 457lb ft and the curve is fattened up, especially at the bottom, where 376lb ft is available from just 1000rpm.
At idle, the V12 will demand your attention because of the way it sounds. There is a complete difference from what you see, what you hear and what you feel here. Because when you just look at it, the Vantage doesn’t look like it will give a sound that comes only from six-liter engines. And when you are outside the car, you can feel its low frequency pulses that comes from its large displacement V12. The V12 does give you a good idea of how an unrestrained Aston Martin engine should sound.
It’s hard to decide if you will like the much improved Sportshift III seven-speed automated manual that replaces the manual six-speed gearbox from the V12 Vantage. There are only a few cars that offers pure manual transmission so it’s no surprise that Aston Martin just stayed on the normal side of things.
The Sportshift III is the company’s latest automated manual technology. This makes downshifts really good and very responsive. In addition, this gearbox also reduces 25kg of weight. Comparing the Sportshift III to Porsche’s PDK and Audi’s S tronic twin-clutch auto gearboxes, the Vantage’s gearbox does feel like outdated but if you just know how to use it and treat it for what it really is, the automatic transmission will be very rewarding. Upshifts are fast although not as fast as the latest transmissions. Just remember to lift your foot off the throttle just like what you would do on a manual gearbox and the upshifts will be very smooth. The Sportshift III is actually lot better than the previous Sportshift II.
There is still the assisted steering here which is a bit quicker and responsive without being affected by the weight of the addition of four cylinders over the front axle. The improved steering system is further enhanced by two levels of power assist which is linnked into the new electronically controlled dampers.
As with the new Aston Martin Vanquish and Aston Martin Rapide S models, the V12 Vantage S is also fitted standard with a three-mode Adaptive Damping System from Bilstein. The driver can choose from Normal, Sport and Track modes, but note that Sport mode isn’t simply limited to damping. It also quickens throttle response and speed of gearchanges, and opens further the already sonorous exhaust.
Sport is the perfect all around setting, for the damping, throttle, steering assist, and gear change optimisations serve to enhance the driving experience. These subtle changes make it possible to attack the road with a slightly higher level of confidence than before. That’s what we want from our sports cars, isn’t it?
The excellent carbon ceramic braking system is retained and confirms that Aston Martin still delivers some of the best carbon brakes available today. Lighter weight, ten-spoke alloys, still fitted with Pirelli’s P Zero Corsa tyres, help unsprung weight and, when painted black, look entirely the business.
Some could argue that with 565bhp on tap, the front 255- and rear 295-section tyres aren’t wide enough, but we’d suggest that this Vantage still retains its exemplary balance. While understeer is rarely present, the degree of oversteer can be dictated by the amount of throttle you wish to use. With the confidence you feel behind the wheel and the chassis’ superb balance, you don’t need to be a GT racer to exploit its full range of performance.
Changes to the beautiful exterior lines are reserved for a new carbonfibre grille opening and when paired with the signature yellow paint, the effect is striking. Visually, it’s more like art than it is automotive styling.
A Sport seat is standard, but the more hardcore character of this Vantage demands the available lightweight buckets. The perfectly positioned, correctly sized, and Alcantara-covered steering wheel carries over.
The interior is unchanged from its refresh in 2009 and while the instrument panel still accomplishes everything that’s expected of a modern car, its styling hasn’t kept pace with the competition. An interior refresh akin to that of the Vanquish would be a welcome update.
In a digital world, this mega Vantage is refreshingly analogue and its raw, aggressive nature is boldly apparent, just as Aston Martin intended.
If the deeply integrated electronic systems of other sports cars don’t appeal to you – like those found in the new, tech-laden Porsche 911 GT3 – the V12 Vantage S might just have the right blend of speed, style and character you’re looking for.
| Type | V12 6.0 litres |
| Power | 565 hp @ 6,750 rpm (421 kW) |
| Torque | 457 lb·ft @ 5,500 rpm (620 N·m) |
| Induction | Atmospheric |
| Power to weight ratio | 253.0 W/kg |
| Bore | 89 mm |
| Stroke | 79 mm |
| Fuel type | Premium |
| CO₂ emissions | 7,750 kg/year |
| Transmission | 7-speed automatic (base)7-speed manual |
| Drivetrain | RWD |
| Vehicle type / Category | |
| Vehicle type | Coupe |
| Category | Sports Car over $100,000 |
| Assembly | Gaydon, GB |
| Generation | 1 |
| What’s new | N/A |
| Fuel efficiency / Autonomy | |
| City | 24.1 l/100km |
| Highway | 11.6 l/100km |
| Autonomy | 332 km |
| Tires / Suspension / Brakes / Safety | |
| Steering | rack and pinion, variable assist |
| Traction control | yes |
| Stability control | yes |
| Seat belts | 2 |
| Airbags | 4 |
| Front suspension | independent, double wishbones |
| Rear suspension | independent, double wishbones |
| Front brakes | disc (ABS) |
| Rear brakes | disc (ABS) |
| Front tires | P255/35ZR19 |
| Rear tires | P295/30ZR19 |
| Dimensions / Weight | |
| Length | 4,385 mm (173″) |
| Width | 2,022 mm (80″, including mirrors) |
| Height | 1,250 mm (49″) |
| Wheelbase | 2,600 mm (102″) |
| Front track | 1,570 mm (62″) |
| Rear track | 1,575 mm (62″) |
| Weight | 1,665 kg (3,671 lbs) |
| Weight distribution front-rear | 52% – 48% |
| Capacities | |
| Passengers | 2 |
| Fuel tank | 80 l (21 gal) |
| Trunk | 300 l (11 ft³) |
| Towing | N/A |
| Box length | N/A |
| Performance | |
| 0-100 km/h | 3.9 s |
| 80-120 km/h | N/A |
| Top speed | 330 km/h |
| Braking distance | N/A |
