We review the Aston Martin V12 Vantage S from price to economy and all its features
I WAS sat at the lights in a Porsche the other day and a cyclist clearly didn’t like it.
He shouted “rich b******” from the other side of the road.
Point taken. It was a convertible in duck-egg blue.
But days later, at the same lights, I’m driving this Aston Martin — also costing £140,000 — and a lad walks past and says “nice car, mate”.
A true story that just about sums up Aston: they’re cool. Sophisticated. British. Seriously quick. But most of all, admired.
And right now, Aston is on a roll. There’s a new DB11 coming soon, an all-new Vantage in 2017, DBX crossover — and a bonkers hypercar designed by Red Bull F1 ace Adrian Newey.
But, before all that, my favourite Aston, the current V12 Vantage S, has been tickled so I love it just that little bit more.
It already bangs out 205mph, making it Aston’s fastest road car, but now it comes with an old-school, seven-speed manual gearbox with “dog leg” first. What does that mean? It means second to fifth — the gears you use most — are in a simple H-pattern.
(Look at the photo, and you’ll see the odd gears are at the bottom and the evens are at the top.)
So, while other car firms now favour paddleshift autos, Aston is indulging racing snakes who still want three pedals and a stick shift.
There’s also a clever engine- management system for full-throttle upshifts and crowd-pleasing downshift blips. It’s intoxicating.
There was no need for an engine update. The 6-litre V12 already produces a hairy-chested 563bhp and will do 45mph in first, 70mph in second . . . and you can rip up your licence in third.
It doesn’t beat a speedboat on water, though. See below.
VERDICT: Only for the brave. But I’m not sold on that yellow.
Key Facts
- Price: £140,000
- Engine: 6-litre V12
- Transmission: RWD, 7-speed manual
- 0-62mph: 3.9 secs
- Top speed: 205mph
- Economy: 19mpg
- Out: Now
