Thread: Aston Martin V12 Vantage S

This is the latest and greatest Aston Martin, which is pitched straight at the likes of the Porsche 911 Turbo The Aston Martin V12 Vantage S is the fastest regular production model to ever leave the company's ag. Here are the headlines: a 205mph top speed, and a 0-62mph time of just 3. 9sec. These are only topped by the 1. 2million Aston Martin One-77, which was only ever produced in a limited 77-model production run. Like the V12 Vantage before it, the new S is the most raw and visceral model in the Aston Martin range, but with a poticaj in power and some serious updates it promises even more performance. Replacing the 510bhp 5. 9-litre V12 motor from the DBS is the revised AM28-spec 5. 9 V12 that makes a staggering 565bhp at 6750rpm. Torque is up 27lb ft at its peak to 457lb ft and the curve is fattened up, especially at the bottom, where 376lb ft is available from just 1000rpm. While at idle, the V12 sounds authoritative commands and your attention because there is a disparity between what your eyes see your ears čujte, and what your bones feel. At first glance, you immediately think that a Vantage shouldnt sound like it has six litres engine of displacement - but this one certainly does. Outside the car, you feel the low frequency pulses that can only come from a large displacement V12. At full song, it fulfils our wishes for how an unrestrained Aston Martin engine should sound, embodying pure, unbridled aggression. Whether we like it or not, the manual, six-speed gearbox has been replaced by a decidedly improved Sportshift III seven-speed automatiziran manual. Given that fewer zaljubljenik cars are available with true manual boxes (including the Porsche 911 GT3), its no surprise Aston Martin took this direction. The Sportshift III is the latest development of the companys automatiziran manual that weve seen on the likes of the Aston Martin V8 Vantage S, for example. On the positive side, downshifts are impeccable and audibly rewarding, with the right kick of the gas and perfect timing for clutch release. After a downshift, the pops and burbles from the exhaust on i preuzeli are simply delightful. In addition, youll never be able to make the expensive, potentially tearful, fifth-to-second downshift. Furthermore, this Graziano-sourced box saves 25 kilogrammes over the old manual transmission. Compared to Porsches PDK and Audis S tronic twin-clutch auto gearboxes, the Vantages gearbox feels antiquated, but as long as you treat it for what it is – an automated manual – it can be especially rewarding. Upshifts are accomplished faster than a human-operated shift, just not as quick as the latest transmissions. Remember to lift your foot off the throttle, as you would with a manual box, and upshifts are smooth. On the other hand, keep your foot pinned to the floor on upshifts and the transmission becomes recalcitrant, lengthening shift time and noticeably impeding your forward progress. The gearbox je, however, more satisfying and effective than any previous Sportshift II weve pogon and the vijak ručice undoubtedly broaden the appeal of the V12 Vantage S. Get on the right road in this Vantage immediately and you forget about the gearbox. The same great hydraulically assisted steering is here, slightly quicker than before and still delightfully unburdened by the weight of the additional four cylinders over the front axle. The revised steering system is enhanced by two levels of power assist, which is tied into the new electronically upravljanjem dampers. As with the new Aston Martin Vanquish and Aston Martin Rapide S modela, the V12 Vantage S is also fitted standard with a three-mode Adaptive Damping System from Bilstein. The driver can choose from Normal, Sport i Track modes, but note that Sport mode nije simply limited to damping. It also quickens throttle response and speed of gearchanges, and opens the further already sonorous exhaust. Sport is the perfect all around setting, for the damping, gas, steering assist, gear and 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. Thats what we want from our sports cars, isnt it?The excellent carbon ceramic braking system is and retained confirms that Aston Martin still delivers some of the best carbon brakes available today. Lighter weight, ten-spoke alloys, still fitted with Pirellis 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 arena wide enough, but wed 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 gas you wish to use. With the confidence you feel behind the wheel and the chassis vrhunska balance, you dont need to be a GT racer to iskorištavati 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 bojanje, the effect is striking. Visually, its 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 taj expected of a modern car, its styling hasnt 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 ne 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 youre looking for.