Aston Martin has replaced the V12 Vantage with a new model called the V12 Vantage S. It is powered by a new engine, has a swanky new gearbox and hits 330km/h.
Exterior
The V12 Vantage S is marked out by plenty of dark detailing. Up front the aluminium grille is replaced by a carbon fibre arrangement, while the roof and part of the boot panel are painted black. They're complemented by new lightweight forged alloy ten-spoke wheels, which are 19-inch items. Black surrounds the headlamps too, while carbon fibre can be found in the front splitter and rear diffuser.
Interior
As standard the V12 Vantage S comes with a full grain leather interior, Alcantara for the steering wheel rim, electric adjustment for the seats and plenty of electronic goodies (satnav, Bluetooth, climate control, 160W audio, DAB, USB, etc.), though Aston allows the well-heeled to customise the cabin further with options including carbon fibre seats, two leather grades and the Carbon Fibre Interior Pack. Even black pedals are possible.
Mechanicals
At the heart of the S upgrade is the new V12 engine, borrowed from the Aston Martin Vanquish. It produces 573hp at 6,750rpm plus 620Nm of torque at 5,500rpm (up from 510hp and 570Nm for the record). With a top speed of 330km/h the new V12 Vantage S is quicker than every car in the Aston line-up bar the One-77 supercar. Aston Martin hasn't released a 0-100km/h time as yet, but, depending on gearing, it should better the V12 Vantage's 4.2-second time.
Speaking of gearing, the V12 Vantage S is the first model to feature Aston's third generation automated manual gearbox, or Sportshift III AMT in Aston-speak. The seven-speed transaxle is produced by Oerlikon Graziano and is a full 25kg lighter than before.
The S is also the first car in the Vantage family to feature three-stage adaptive damping. Drivers select from Normal, Sport or Track modes and the power steering assistance is altered in line with the damping settings. That steering features a new ZF system too, and is more direct.
Separate to the adaptive damping control is a Sport mode that alters throttle response, gearshift speed and timing and exhaust note. Aston has replaced the exhaust itself as well, reducing its size and weight while, it claims, enhancing the sound.
Anything else?
A few quotes from Aston Martin's CEO, Dr Ulrich Bez:
"The new V12 Vantage S is, simply, pure Aston Martin. It is extreme in its nature yet truly timeless in its design language."
"Learning from our successes on the track feeds the development of this type of car and I'm proud to launch such an exciting sports car in this, our centenary year."
"The new V12 Vantage S is our most extreme Vantage to date - engineered to bring race car performance and technology to the open road."
"It is our most powerful engine in a beautifully tailored suit. It is elegant, yet brutal, and it is at the same time easy to control. It has everything that sums up Aston Martin: power, beauty and soul!"