There's a thread going on another forum and someone mentioned getting a Ferrari V12 before they were priced out of the market. One of the main reasons I joined the club was the Aston V12. Not to be a snob but, I wouldn't even consider getting an Aston with a V8. And having experienced it I'll always have a v12. Just an amazing engine and so smooth. And when you pop that bonnet and see those intakes. (excuse me for a second - having a moment) Just me, and haven't looked at specs but seems that Aston is longer stroke vs Ferrari, Lambo and such. Aston more of a cruiser V12 than a high revving screamer. Although I can't count the number of times I've hit the limiter. Are the other brands more peaky in that you need to keep them in the upper rpm range to really enjoy? Aston is just a brute and seems that when I'm in on my favorite roads 3rd gear can pretty much handle anything.

 

Why get a Ferrari V12 when you can get an Aston V12 for less....and with a manual? The Aston V12 is a great engine, tons of torque, sounds great, reliable, and the only maintenance it needs is an oil change.

And if you want to take it to the next level get headers and sport cats from Velocity AP. Just got mine installed by Tim in Oakland (Germany's Best) and it's a great package, gives the car more power and responsiveness across the entire rev range. When the exhaust valves open up it sounds amazing but the car is still very quiet and civilized when they're closed.

 

While I agree that the visual presence of the Aston Martin's V-12 engine is impressive, I would not write off the V-8 engine as somehow inferior.
Granted the Vantage V-8‘s are down in power when compared to the V-12, however that not an indictment of the V-8 engines ability, but I believe that’s entirely due to Aston Martin’s marketing scheme.
AKAIK, the V-8 in racing trim is faster that the equivalent V 12 because you can engineer essentially the same horsepower out of a V-8 at significant weight savings.
I believe that’s one of the reasons that just about all manufactures (Aston Martin included) have dropped production of their V-12 engines.

Finally, I know the V-12 sounds fabulous, however, for me there is still something special about a V-8 at full song.
You have to hear the Ford Flat Plane Crankshaft Voodoo V-8 engine at 8,200 RPM. Nothing else sounds like it.

My 2 cents

 

V8 absolutely not inferior. Heck, Fords V6 in the new GT is amazing. I grew up with a Mustang. Had a 351 Cleveland I had built from scratch. Remember with the cam I had in it I would see how low I could idle it without killing it. It would be shaking and sputtering and I loved it. I put in some oil restrictor jets on the mains and was getting 7k rpm which I recall was amazing/crazy at the time. Might have something to do with me having to rebuild it about once a year. I've heard videos of the flat plane V8's and they do sound amazing. So has Ferrari had flat plane cranks for a while? Don't know but seems that the 'flat plane' allows for higher revs too. (I'll be Googling flat plane crankshaft as soon as I hit the post button) Yes, the V12 is marketing. In fact I think Lamborghini is having a little issue with the V10 Huracan besting the V12 Aventador. But having said all that, from here forward I'll always have a V12.

 

The 2015 Vantage S pricing is enticing, and I've driven half a dozen V12 Vantages, and was seriously considering the upgrade, as the V12 is an amazing value, and the engine filling the bay is impressive (tho you'd have to have the hood open all time for anyone to know or care). Personally the 6 times I've driven the V12's I find that for some reason I walk away thinking the car is not significantly quicker than the V8, knowing it is, just to me it feels about the same. To get the sound from the V8 I pretty much am aggressive with the gas pedal - when I do that in the V12 (to hear that sound), it just starts a war with traction control where engine wins, brakes, lose. The V8 feels lighter on it's feet and quicker to point because it is. Finally, the V12 does sound great when you are aggressive on the gas, but for some reason, the V8 sounds better (in my personal opinion) normal driving where more sound comes into the cabin than what I've experienced driving the V12's. Other than that it would be very special having a V12 Aston Martin, no doubt about it.

 

outside racing a v12 is a v12 and a v8 is a v8. I do believe there is one exception to going with an 8 over a 12 and thats the bentley CGT v8S over the w12 now.

Porsche F6
Corvette V8
Mustang/any american.. V8
M3 V8
M5/6 V10
Maserati V8
Ferrari V12
Lambo V12
AM V12


They screwed up by not making the DBS/Vanquish/599/Murcielago a v8...


said NO ONE EVER



I believe AM never intended to do the v12 in the vantage, only after the collapse every single company in the world tightened their belts and extended their current line with updates vs new models and R&D in an uncertain climate. I think a mean straight six would have worked a lot better all around for the typical v8v buyer compared to the v8, not replacing the 40%+ retail option of v12....Id certainly rather have a 3.5-4.0L 350-400hp six thats responsive and silky smooth than what is a relatively brash & clumsy 8.

 

While I can not add anything but a little joke I was told on v12 engines...Ford took the Taurus 6 and put together to create the v12...

While AM modified I am sure...it left little room under the hood...the v12 is a beast...I would believe 12s will be a dying bred with the Mercedes Benz deal...
Enjoy...

 

I had the same feeling, when I drove final V12 S with 7 speed manual trans. There is not much power difference when comparing V8 to V12. dealing with cars on daily basis, I drive lot of cars, but i was disappointed when I drove the last of the V12 Vantage. I thought it was going to be really quicker than V8. But, that's my opinion.

 

I was told the same thing: two wet sump Ford v6s fused together = v12!

All in good fun fellas!

 

I will admit that opening the hood and revealing the V-12 to the curious is priceless
That said, If I could have any engine in the vantage, it would be a 600 HP V-8

 

before my 2007 V8V i had a 2002 DB7 V12 Vantage . that car went like a rocket