Trust me, for the past few hours that's all I've been doing - reading, configuring, watching and listening to sound clips.

BUT have to say, still love how engaged the 6Spd is . . . (even with all the merits of the Sport Shift III)

 

Wow, if this gets a manual transmission option, I'll be stumped.

 

Although I respect Aston for stepping up their game, are we really that excited for an "extreme" sports car with about 560 hp and some paddle shifters? 458, SLS, gallardo, turbo S... Why not keep the manual gearbox to set it apart???! Disappointed

 

Sounds like an extraordinary car. For me, though, no manual 'box is a massive shame. I can only hope that, like with the V8VS, a manual 'box becomes an option. I simply get no pleasure out of a paddle 'box, no matter how good/fast it may be. Just like the 991 GT3 and Turbo, paddle-only ruins it for me (just as it makes it for others).

About the styling, IMO, every change detracts from the design. Happily, except for the grill, they're all optional.

I wonder if they'll offer this 'box in the Vanquish and the DB9...

 

The press embargo on the V12VS ended 10 hours ago so there is loads of pics and info out there now!
It looks great and the spec seems very good as well.
Not keen on that colour or the black rear panel
Other than that when can I order a roadster?

http://www.evo.co.uk/news/evonews/28..._pictures.html

http://www.astonmartin.com/cars/the-.../v12-vantage-s

 

She's calling you ... you know she is

 

I'm curious how the top speed (like it matters to me) jumped from 190 to 205 with 55 hp and a new gear box? Is the 190 in the base v12 rpm or hp limited?

 

Wow, these are some significant upgrades. As a current V12V owner, I'm not sure how to feel about it. On the one hand I'm glad Aston is upping the ante on the top-of-the-line Vantage but, on the other hand, the new car makes the original V12Vs less desirable by comparison. I suppose I could trade my car in for the new S, but I'm not sure I like the idea of giving up the manual transmission even if the new ASM is great. Will need to stew on this one for a while.

Regardless, I congratulate Aston on the new car. It sounds fantastic. One thing that is particularly interesting is the huge increase in torque in the low rpms. I bet this will make the car a lot of fun to drive.

 

Well, sorry to be the rain on this parade...but, the styling has GOT to get some love. A "dramatic new interior"? Looks remarkably similar to the very nice old interior.

I know the business issues. I know AM is small. But a fresh interior (see also, Vanquish) would really help make this feel less like a sad attempt to make new from old.

So, why no new design work? I can only hope this is because they are very near the unveiling of a truly new Vantage with fresh sheetmetal/skin and a Vanquish-y interior.

All of that said, I'm sure this V12s is mind bending awesome.

 

This is what I find so disappointing. The only Aston that makes me think (sometimes) about giving up my V8V is the V12V. Now, they make some very interesting upgrades with the S, and they give it a gearbox that many people wanted. But rather than add the Sportshift III so that people can choose the type of gearbox they want, they remove the availability of the manual. Few things change the experience of driving a car more than the type of gearbox, and for me it has to be a manual. Also, the manual 'box was one of the things that made the V12V truly unique in the marketplace -- it was the only manual V12 car on sale anywhere. That's now gone.

 

Ibis,
I agree that the emphasis on "new" interior styling is clearly overstated. While I like the new Vanquish's interior, I prefer the "old" interior. IMO, the "old" looks more bespoke, more distinctive, more expensive, more special and less "styled." The exterior changes to the new S are not upgrades -- the V12V looks better.

 

I have the current V12 Vantage and it is amazing, so I'm sure this one will be magic!!

I like the grille treatment. I wish the interior was more like the Vanquish. I love my 6sp, but paddle is great too.

It really is a mildly warned over version of the V12, so I see no reason for the whole V12 is dead nonsense a few weeks back

I personally wish they would have just given us (NA) the Zagato. Or an even more extreme version of the V12 with bright lip stick paint on the nose.

I'm happy they are still making cars like this!!

 

Agreed. The primary reason I didn't upgrade my V8VS to the V12V was because it felt like I was getting into the same car. It was faster and and felt a little bit better but was still the same. The analogy I used was, It's like getting back together with and old girlfriend that's been working out. She looks better but is still the same on the inside.

Also, I feel the Vantage styling is getting dated. It's basically been the same since 2006? It's still beautiful but I like change and I'm looking forward to seeing the next.

 

Is there a better looking car on sale? Not IMO. If the Vantage were introduced as a brand new car today, it would look just as gorgeous as it did when it was launched (BTW, the concept was shown in January 2003). For me, it doesn't matter that it's been around for a while -- it just shows how great the design is (and it still looks best in its original form IMO -- original bumpers, sills, etc.).

I neither like nor dislike "change" itself. For me, it's whether the change is for the better or for the worse. That said, change for change's sake rarely, IMO, results in an improvement.

 

I like it. But mixed feelings on the transmission. I think a dual clutch setup would have been better, although I still prefer a manual on a car of this sort. But the market and ever increasing power and torque outputs say otherwise.