Sounds like a helluva fun day. And if I had to choose one.. That blue looks amazing.

 

Nothing compulsory about them. Note the Rapide S just beyond Skyfall, and every vantage ever.

I assume it was a styling choice to make the car look a bit different from its brand mates.

 

Not really. These orange repeaters are required in the US. Euro models do not have these (and I agree they mess up the light modules as compared to the other models in the AM line up). They should have stuck with the bumper repeaters like the other models, which are less noticeable.

 

As mentioned, corner indicators are indeed mandatory in the USA market. In the case of the DB9 and Rapide, they placed them on the bumpers; on the Vanquish, they integrated them into the headlamp unit itself which is not very attractive. If I ever buy a Vanquish, I will be buying a set of DB9 headlamps to replace the standard light with. And with the bumper-mounted ones, you can replace them with the clear ones from the Vantage Collection (If you ever manage to get your order followed-up from them.)

 

If rally like the V12S wheels, very modern looking yet still very Aston

 

I like those wheels, too

 

karlfranz we must have just missed each other. I was there for the afternoon session when the course had dried up so we were really able to push the car a lot harder. Having driven the original v12 vantage, I did not think there was much that they could improve on. It really seemed like a car that had everything you would ever want in terms of power, balance, brakes, and steering. I really was thinking that the S would just be a stripped down, more hardcore version but man was I wrong. Simply put, the S is the most complete car I have ever driven. The suspension is better, the torque is instant, and the transmission is so good you wonder what all of the beef about it not being a dual clutch is all about. Compared to my 09 vantage, this car is completely transformed. Im very happy I was able to spend the day out there and had a great time speaking with the aston team about the cars and its development. I really great day!

 

For all the criticism it gets from the automotive journalist, I wonder how this transmission feels when driven properly and not in auto mode. These single clutch paddle shifters were always meant to be operated in paddle shift mode and when done so are very rewarding. As long as the shift times are relatively fast they great. They should just delete the auto mode.

I can't wait to drive one of these myself and see. I hope they put it in the Vanquish and make it an 'S' with greater horsepower. I would buy one of those in a second.

 

I believe most reviews are with them driving in manual mode... If you watch some of the video reviews, they are manually shifting while commenting on the gearbox.

I hope and pray Aston let this transmission die as it's too dated by today's standards.

 

I believe the problem is that a DSG will not fit in the chassis, or so the Motor Trend guys said at the V12V S review. That was pretty surprising to hear, and basically leaves them with a stick or the sequential.

 

Even if they upgraded to the Gallardo sequential or the F430 sequential it would be a nice upgrade. I believe Aston uses Graziano which is the same that Ferrari and Lamborghini use. It would be perfect if they used the F430 Scud or Gallardo Superleggera gearbox. I personally like these gearboxes better than the DSG.

 

The DSG systems are also about 50 kilos heavier or at least thats what the Aston engineers told me.

 

If forced to choose, I would take on the additional 50kg if it meant having a transmission that is on par with the rest of the car, and I hate the idea of adding weight!

 

what exactly do u like better about the grazianos as opposed to the DSGs??

 

The Scud and Superleggera both shift lightning fast but the transmission doesn't take away the emotion and enjoyment of driving. A manual is still better but in a different way. The DCT are too perfect if that makes sense. I had an M3 DCT for 3 months before I sold it. I loved it for about a week and couldn't believe how perfect it was. After the week and about 1,000 miles I was just driving around in automatic because the shifts were boring. The Scud's F1 Superfast is lightning fast, visceral and snaps your body into the seat on hard shifts. Everyone that has been in or driven my car always comments on the gearbox first followed by the sound.