Skip advert
Advertisement

Aston Martin V12 Vantage S gets dog-leg manual

Old-school gearbox arrangement comes with modern auto-blip and flat-shift technology

If you’re yet to be convinced by the styling and specifications of the new Aston Martin DB11, you can at least continue to enjoy one of the firm’s old-school 6-litre V12s – now with a manual gearbox.

The Aston Martin V12 Vantage S now has a manual option, and one with a hint of motorsport cool thanks to a dog-leg first gear layout.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The cause for this is that the new manual transmission has seven ratios, ensuring the top six – those used most frequently – remain in the traditional ‘H’ pattern that most drivers will be used to.

‘Technology drives us forward, but we understand the importance of tradition,’ explains Ian Minards, Director of Product Development at Aston Martin. ‘The true purist will always hanker for the tactility and connection offered by a manual transmission, so it has been a real pleasure to offer just that in our fastest and most focused model.’

Technology comes in the form of a system Aston Martin calls AMSHIFT, ostensibly an auto-blip feature when changing down the gearbox – like that found on Minis, Nissan 370Zs and various Porsches.

The system also facilitates full-throttle upshifts. It also – purists will be pleased to hear – appears to be driver-selectable, though it’s available in any of the car’s driving modes. It’s at its best, Aston Martin says, in Sport mode, thanks to the fruitier exhaust note.

The V12 Vantage S’s automated Sportshift III transmission remains available, and Aston Martin quotes identical performance figures for both: 3.9sec to 62mph, and a 205mph top speed. Best of all perhaps is that the new manual is a no-cost option.

Other changes for the V12 Vantage S’s latest model revision include a new Sport-Plus Pack, which includes a range of new exterior colours, with contrasting accents, ten-spoke graphite finish alloy wheels, and black or grey interior upholstery with contrasting stripes and stitching.

Meanwhile, V8 Vantage models have disappeared… but since the V8 Vantage S remains available, few will mind. It too gets exterior tweaks and a range of option packs. All new Vantage models get a new AMi III infotainment system.

Deliveries begin in the third quarter of this year. The V12 Vantage range starts at £138,000.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

New Ferrari 812 keeps its V12 – launches later this summer
Ferrari 812 successor
News

New Ferrari 812 keeps its V12 – launches later this summer

Ferrari’s replacement for the 812 Superfast is gearing up for its reveal this summer, and it will retain the iconic F140 V12 expected to produce in ex…
22 Mar 2024
Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus 004S: development ramps up for three-seat supercar
Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus 004S
News

Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus 004S: development ramps up for three-seat supercar

As the SCG 004 racer gears up for another Nürburgring 24 Hours, development is well underway for its road-legal relative
18 Mar 2024
Ford GT (2004 - 2006): review, history and specs of an icon
Ford GT evo 25
Features

Ford GT (2004 - 2006): review, history and specs of an icon

Few supercars have allowed such easy access to their performance as the original Ford GT, making it one of our top 25 cars of the last 25 years
18 Mar 2024
Ferrari 296 GTB 2024 review – fewer cylinders, greater thrills
Ferrari 296 GTB
Reviews

Ferrari 296 GTB 2024 review – fewer cylinders, greater thrills

Ferrari's first V6-powered road car redefines the £250,000 supercar with sensational speed and agility
15 Mar 2024
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

The new Mercedes-AMG G63 has arrived, and it still has a V8
Mercedes-AMG G63
News

The new Mercedes-AMG G63 has arrived, and it still has a V8

Some of Affalterbach’s range-toppers are swapping eight cylinders for four, but the AMG G-class retains its V8 for 2024
26 Mar 2024
Land Rover Defender OCTA: twin-turbo V8 and McLaren-style suspension tech for hot off-roader
Land Rover Defender OCTA – front
News

Land Rover Defender OCTA: twin-turbo V8 and McLaren-style suspension tech for hot off-roader

The OCTA promises to be the fastest, toughest and most capable Defender yet when it launches later this year
26 Mar 2024
The new Toyota GR Yaris costs £44,250 – too much for a hot supermini?
Toyota GR Yaris Gen 2 – front
News

The new Toyota GR Yaris costs £44,250 – too much for a hot supermini?

Our early impressions of the Gen 2 GR Yaris suggest that it’s an improvement in every area that counts, but can it be worth £18k more than an i20 N?
27 Mar 2024