Aston Martin V12 Vantage

In our book, there has never been much wrong with the Aston Martin Vantage. Sure, it’s expensive, but somehow the aura and mystique that surrounds the brand, together with the old-fashioned, built-by-hand assembly process, goes some way towards justifying the price tag. The smallest of the current Aston Martin range, the Vantage, has always impressed with its dynamic ability and arguably more sleek and sporty lines when compared with those of big brother DB9. When we tested the revised 4,7-litre V8 version earlier this year (April 2009 issue) we came away even more impressed because the Vantage had not only finally been given the kind of power that its chassis deserved, but it could now also compete on the test sheets with some of its much-lauded rivals. Now though, Aston Martin plans to send some of those rivals running for the hills by giving the Vantage even more firepower…

Straight off the mighty DBS’s spec sheet comes the 6,0-litre V12 engine developed on the race track and tuned to deliver 380 kW at 6 500 r/min and 570 N.m of torque at 5 750 r/min. That it was a tight squeeze fitting the 60-degree V12 into the Vantage’s smaller and lighter body is evident just from a glance under the new car’s carbon fi bre bonnet but, impressively, the task was completed without having to make any significant changes to the structure of the smallest Aston. Any revisions that have been made are courtesy of experience gained by the company’s N24 racing programme (which goes some way to explaining our test car’s paint job) and are designed to manage airflow around the new car. The four louvres in the bonnet, for example, allow hot air to escape from the engine bay, at the same time increasing downforce by limiting air pressure under the bonnet.
A revised front splitter, new side sills, a pronounced boot lip spoiler and a carbon fibre rear diffuser combine to make the Vantage even more aerodynamically efficient.

As with all supercars, weight management was another factor that had to be filtered into the new car’s planning. The additional 100 kilograms that the V12 engine adds to the Vantage package had to be offset in other areas so as not to upset the superb balance that the V8 model boasts. Even with the engine placed longitudinally as far back as possible – effectively front mid-mounted – the extra length of the twelve-cylinder unit changes the distribution of weight from a slightly rearward bias in the V8 model to a fractionally forward bias in the new car, but still close to 50:50. Weight savings have been gained by the use, and careful placement, of lightweight materials around the body, including lighter 19-inch forged aluminium wheels, carbon ceramic brakes and liberal use of carbon fibre around the shell.

An additional 17 kilograms is saved by the fitment of the optional carbon/Kevlar composite seats included on our test car. These bucket seats add a more racecar-like feel to the cabin and offer good lateral support for the driver and passenger. Electric controls provide sufficient adjustment, including a cradle action for the seat’s single- piece shell, so that most drivers will be able to find a comfortable driving position. Our one complaint is that the high profile of the centre-console and the step down to the gear lever mean that the gear change action can be very awkward for some. On our test car, a removable, leather-clad block was included to create extra padding or the driver’s elbow to prevent it slipping into the drinkholder when changing gears – an unsatisfactory “solution” to what is a major impediment to driving enjoyment.

This is the only black mark against an otherwise high quality interior, though, and the cabin of the Vantage easily matches the classy lines of the exterior. Carbon fibre door-pulls and an Alcantara-clad steering wheel add a touch of raciness, although it’s a pity that the slightly large and ungainly-looking (in relation to the rest of the interior) gear lever couldn’t be finished in a similar high-quality material. An extensive standard specification list includes a high quality audio system, sat-nav, cruise control, multi-function steering wheel and useful rear park sensors.

Driver and passenger are seated low and the ride is firm yet impressively compliant over uneven surfaces. A more compact, dual-rate spring design has been introduced to accommodate the wider wheels and tyres. Spring rates have been stiffened by 45 per cent and the anti-roll bars are 15 per cent stiffer up front and a massive 75 per cent stiffer at the rear to compensate for the heavier front end’s natural inclination towards understeer. The overall ride height has been lowered by 15 millimetres compared with the V8 Vantage.

The balancing act comes together nicely when pushing on, though. It’s evident that there’s heavy metal up front in this V12 version, but the impressive levels of grip and sure-footedness that we have come to savour in the Aston Martin Vantage are nevertheless retained.

Thanks to the massive torque offered, gearshifts are kept to a minimum, with third and fourth gears offering all the flexibility that most twisty routes might require, allowing the driver to keep both hands on the tiller. What is immediately noticeable is that, even on a road that one knows intimately, this car arrives at corners a lot quicker than you might expect, as it effortlessly piles on the pace in a straight line. Fortunately, the huge, six-piston, 398 mm carbon ceramic discs up front (four-piston/360 mm at the rear) work just as effortlessly in slowing down the car.

Like the DBS, the V12 Vantage offers a three-stage traction control system, which can be switched from full surveillance to a less restrictive “track mode”, or unplugged completely. With the predictable, smooth power delivery from the naturally-aspirated engine, traction through the rear wheels can be modulated via a beautifully communicative throttle pedal. Speciallydesigned 295/30 ZR19 Pirelli P Zero Corsa tyres (255/35 up front) provide extraordinary grip – for as long as possible – at the rear, allowing huge acceleration out of corners.
That grip is, however, severely challenged during enthusiastic pull-offs from standstill and careful balance of revs and clutch slip was required to achieve our 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 4,34 seconds. Once on the move, though, the going is much easier and the kilometre marker was passed less than 23 seconds later. Aston Martin claims a top speed of 305 km/h for this V12-powered model.

Optimal performance, by virtue of a more sensitive throttle pedal and engine re-mapping, is achieved by making use of the “Sport” button, positioned ahead of the gear lever. But the real advantage of this button is that, when not selected, it allows the V12 Vantage to be driven in everyday conditions with an ease that most supercars struggle to achieve. The clutch remains fairly heavy, but take-up is predictable and the less sensitive throttle makes the car easy to manoeuvre in tight spaces or traffic. The Vantage also has the luxury of a practical luggage compartment, again giving it an edge over some of its rivals.

TEST SUMMARY

Along with more power, improved dynamics and arguably better looks comes an even bigger price tag, which, in turn, invites some new competition to the table. The Aston Martin V12 Vantage manages to further enhance the characteristics that we enjoyed so much with the V8, but it also raises the bar even higher on what this marque is capable of. Along with a thoroughly addictive new exhaust note – even before the “Sport” button is engaged – and staggering acceleration available throughout the rev range, the new car offers a racecar edge to its dynamics that will reward the experienced driver and encourage the inexperienced to learn more. All of this from a brand that continues to offer something just a little bit special to the driving world.