Good question. IIRC, in the US when the '12.25s first came out, they were all coming with the sports suspension, and without any additional cost. At some point that changed, and the sport suspension was optional again. But maybe only on the Coupe. And, oddly the Roadster may only be available with the sport suspension.

In the latest brochure, on the specs pages it says that sport suspension is optional on the V8V -- but only on the Coupe. It doesn't make clear which setup the Roadster has. For the V8S, it says that "comfort" suspension is optional -- only on the Coupe. The S Roadster apparently is only available with the sport suspension. Except that at the AMOC Lime Rock event this summer there was a V8S Roadster -- brought by AM itself -- with the comfort suspension. Unrelated, but for some reason, I also noticed that the brochure touts the weight distribution of the Vantage -- by showing the V12S, which is 52/48 front/rear. The V8 is 49/51 front/rear, which is better -- why wouldn't they use the better-balanced figures, or at least show both

Confused? I am. So, it seems, is Aston.

Perhaps Grant can sort this out?

Edited to add: Sorry Tim, we seem to have gone off topic...

 

What AM needs to resolve their suspension mystery is the electronic marvel developed by Delphi and first applied to Corvettes, then Cadillac and now to lots of auto applications. Maybe all mfgs will eventually adopt MagneRide, but when Ferrari started to use it as the "answer" to this huge need it must have convinced a bunch of fence sitters.

Face it, cars could have used this magical custom ride since they exceeded walking speed. When AM applies it I hope they make it retrofitable at a reasonable price. Does Bamford Rose offer it now?

I have driven a Vantage with a faster rack and pinion ratio (an S?). It could be a product plus, at no variable cost penalty, on all Vantages.

 

I ordered my '13 with the standard suspension and not the optional sport pack suspension because I value ride quality in everyday driving over track handling because I will never track mine to use that extra holding power anyway. However, if one plans to track their car often I could see the value of the sport suspension.

 

I think the standard suspension is the better choice for a lot of (probably most) people. Before I bought my car, I test drove both suspensions back to back. My Sports Pack '09 isn't a daily driver, but I would have ordered the Sports Pack for a daily driver. I prefer it because it makes for a sharper, more responsive, more nimble, more neutrally balanced feel -- that's my personal preference for a road-going sports car. The Sports Pack does ride more firmly, no question, but it never gets crashy or harsh. That said, I think the standard suspension is excellent -- it rides quite well, and although not as sharp, it still handles very well. It's really a matter of personal preference.