With Sport
mode selected, the V12 Vantage S came alive but you also need to activate the
adaptive damping. The three-stage system allows normal (providing surprising
comfort), Sport and Track modes. We opted for Sport since it allowed the curbs
to be ridden more easily. It also accessed the Sport setting for the ZF Servo-tronic power steering, giving it more weight and substance,
although its 15:1 ratio was already an improvement over the previous models.
So with
everything set, we built up speed and again the V12 S was on our side. At the
end of the back straight you need to scrub off about 100mph before the 180˚
right turn, but the stock carbon-ceramic brake discs and six-piston front
calipers made a mockery of the braking markers. Within a couple of laps we’d
halved our braking distance and could probably have gone deeper still, but for
the concrete wall on its perimeter.
Stopping power for the
V12 Vantage S is provided by carbon-ceramic discs
Using the
paddles, the acceleration was swift, hitting 60mph in less than 4sec and
reaching about 150mph on the short straight. The car was also wonderfully
balanced, allowing delicate turn-in and early power application off the apex.
It certainly wasn’t nose heavy, thanks to the V12’s rearward mounting position,
and the transaxle helping it rotate. Admittedly, we kept the traction control
on because I don’t want to explain to my boss why we’d have to repair aluminum
body panels and composite bumpers. However, it allowed a degree of slide and
wheel spin before interjecting. And it was never impolite in its interruption,
as you’d expect from the British…
The Vantage's well-appointed
cabin has a classy and upmarket feel
Driven at
high speed, either bouncing off the rev limiter or diving on the brake pedal,
the gear shift quality was never an issue. It was as fast and precise as we
wished, allowing plenty of engine braking with high-RPM downshifts. However, we
were never driving slow enough to experience the low-speed hesitation and
jerkiness reported by our colleagues.
So Aston
has positioned the V12 S at the hardcore end of the Vantage spectrum, providing
the V8, V8 S and Roadster as softer options if preferred. They even went to the
trouble of underlining its intentions with a carbon fiber grille, hood vents,
front spoiler and rear diffuser. It additionally gets forged ten-spoke wheels
plus a black-painted roof and grille surround.
The V12 Vantage S with
19x9" f, 19x11" r ten-spoke forged wheels,
255/35 f, 295/30 R19 Pirelli P Zero Corsa tires
So while
the V12 Vantage S didn’t win outright plaudits at its initial launch, we’d like
to revise our stance now we’ve sampled it in the correct environment. Aston
Martin obviously feels there’s enough depth in its model range and customer
base to provide a more track-focused sports car that brings the same beauty and
craftsmanship as its other sports cars, yet is able to mix it with the best for
fast road or track use. It still has all the drama you want from an Aston
Martin Vantage but with a little more attitude.
