Thought I’d share with the forum some of my thoughts of roughly seven months of V12V ownership, now that it has been put away for its first winter rest:

PROS

• engine – more than the power, it is the broad torque curve that defines the character of the car: predictable, linear acceleration yet pleasant to drive at low speeds. Excellent throttle response in sport mode, so rev matching on downshifts is second nature.

• transmission – I like the manual: it ensures this is a car requiring some concentration and skill to deliver the most enjoyment, and all the better for it. But the process is enjoyable, with lighter shifting, not at all obstructive like my old V8V.

• suspension – for me, in some ways the biggest gain over the V8V. Considerably more roll stiffness, and much more confidence inspiring, yet somehow more comfortable. That odd corkscrewing motion from front to rear with the V8V is banished.

• brakes – I was worried about CCM brakes, having found them inferior to cast iron at low speeds and when cold, on other cars driven, such as an F430. No such worries here: effective and easy to modulate around town, and with extra confidence at speed! I will reserve judgment on how well they absorb proper punishment until I track the car.

• noise – with sport button pressed, nirvana! Complex, exotic and cultured as befits an Aston, with a glorious trumpeting at the redline, and splendid crackles and pops when the throttle is lifted. IMHO, the only (tenuous) reason to get an aftermarket exhaust on this car would be to save weight. The factory really nailed it with the OEM sound!

• philosophy – much discussed and debated on this forum, but exactly the reason I went for this car instead of following the ‘video game’ trend. Celebrate the analogue automobile while it lasts, folks: naturally aspirated, large displacement, manual, RWD and, best of all, what a novel concept: the driver must actually drive the car!


CONS

• ergonomics – unlike many reviewers, I don’t have a problem with the controls or the buttons, but the seats are only marginally better than in my old V8V, and that isn’t saying much. I’m just over 6’2” and I feel like I am perched on a pedestal, as opposed to sitting down in the belly of the car. And the relationship between the pedals, wheel, and my limbs and back involves awkward and uncomfortable angles. My choice is: sit so high that my head brushes the roof, or sit closer to where I’d like, and then feel like someone is trying to fold me up to fit in a box. How can I feel like I have more room, and be more comfortable in the cabin of my Lotus Exige than in the V12V?

• build quality – I’ll concede that this seems to have improved half a notch from my previous V8V: thicker, better feeling leather, more padded seats, overall fit and finish seems slightly better. But the squeaks and rattles are present and correct, same as in the V8V. Funny how they seem to show up when the temperature drops below about 15C, almost like the car is telling you it won’t tolerate being driven when it is cool outside. Do people really drive these things in the winter? Oh, and I hate hatchbacks – they ALWAYS end up squeaking. So I spray a little silicon lube here, brush in some talcum powder there, but the noises always come back.

• paint – yes, good finish with mass-production orange peel gratifyingly absent. But why is the clearcoat as soft as butter? And how can they let them out of the factory with such shameful clearcoat damage: buffing marks galore, actually requiring wetsanding to correct on this particular car?! In fairness, it seems other exotics like Ferrari aren’t much better.

 

Great review. I'm 6'2" also and had to opt for the DBS instead to find a comfortable position.

 

Agree with your assessments echo, although I thankfully haven't experienced any rattles or squeaks (knocks on wood). I feel like the build quality of my V12V if far better than my '07 V8V. I think Aston has done a lot over the years to address such issues.

I would like to sit a bit lower in the car and to have more elbow room. I'm also 6'2''. That said, I'm not too big for the car and other cars of the sort can be far more cramped. I sat in an Aventador and was surprised how little room there was inside the c0ckpit.

 

I have had my V12 since mid summer or so and I LOVE it.

I have no issue with the car at all.

I'm 5'8" and the driving position is perfect.
My build quality is amazing. Far better than my R8 V10.
No rattles, no squeaks.

The paint on mine was near perfect. I had it corrected and coated with opticoat.
Pulled the fuse and have a constant rumble

I love the shifts, love the brakes.
Love the sense of occasion.
Love this car.

 

been trying to convince the wife that i need 4 extra cylinders but she's not buying it...for now...

but great review! I am pretty sure the V12 has better build quality than an 08V but I must say I am disappointed with the quality of the interior...at least on my 08 v8v roadster. Hopefully my next vantage's interior will be rattle free.

By the way, what wheels are those?

 

The wheels are HRE P43S.

@black penguin: No rattles for you because of those smooth Toronto roads eating up all my tax money LOL - our roads here are frankly an embarrassment these days! Seriously, I am astonished to hear your R8 has worse build quality. Truly you mean build quality or just how expensive the materials look/feel?

 

Yeah, I have paid plenty for these roads

As far as build quality, I specifically mean the quality of the materials used. Although my current Aston and my last Aston were both squeak and rattle free. I find some of the choices on the R8 are pretty bad considering its price point. The front and rear grilles would not look out of place on a Mazda 3, the front splitter and rear diffusers are not even offered in carbon, the grilles in the side blades are very nasty plastic. The plastic around the in the front cargo area etc is poor compared to any finish in an Aston.

The interior works well, but it feels cheap compared to the big names. The plastic around the nav surround is hard and nasty, same for the doors and the centre console is so flimsy and nasty, it's hard to believe. My TTRS was better or on par. The seats and the leather are not top spec, no embossing, no proper stitching, no drama.

It all works, but its not supercars level. It feels less sorted than a car at this level should. It's in no way bespoke. It's average and that's a shame because the car is brilliant!!! I have driven other cars and they were the same.

I feel the desire to be EVERY DAY able is the problem with the car. Too many choices have been made to be pragmatic and not enough made to be soulful or emotional. I'm guess that's a ploy to give it room relative to the Gallardo. It should be more luxurious or way more serious. It's not enough of either.

The R8 has more miles than the Aston, the only "squeak" is in the cover own the hand brake. Anytime you rest you elbow in it, squeak, squeak. It's being fixed under warranty.

Both cars are great!!!
Both cars are very well built, you will not be sorry in either if you get a good one.

The R8 is a mass produced exotic (even though its hand assembled), the Aston is a bespoke exotic.

Each has its advantages and charms.

 

Good review Spinecho. I test drove a V12V on some twisty hill country roads, followed immediately by my V8V on the same road to compare Sunday. I have been trying to justify the additional cost and join the club.

My initial thoughts were that the brakes and wide torque curve stood out most. They are both a large improvement over the V8. I also felt the interior fit/finish was a half notch better.

The V12 also had a better presence side by side. I love the hood vents in person and the side sills and front splitter. Turns a beautiful design into a visual beast.

While the V12V handled great, I did not notice the additional weight up front until I jumped back in the V8 through the same turns. I have to say that I preferred the handling of the V8 with sport suspension over the V12. Perhaps its because I am comfortable with my car.....or the new PSS tires on her?

I walked away knowing I would make the same change as you someday mostly due to the rarity, presence, acceleration and stellar brakes.

 

@penguin: Interesting observations on the R8. I had a look at a work colleague's V10 this past summer and was surprised at the amount of black plastic on display. Is there an extended leather package available in North America or is it the usual Audi policy of restricting options over here?

 

That's the exact thing I felt. I loved the nimble V8V, but the same factored you mentioned pushed me into the V12V.

 

Regarding the R8 interior, some of the hard plastic is available in carbon for a pretty penny. But even with that fitted its just not on par with the better brands. Odd because at the lower end Audi does interiors very well.