Aston Martin V8 2012 Overview
Pine plantations, as an apparently preferred site for human inhumanity, silently witnessed some stunning events.
But rarely have their balls been shaken by something as chilling as the raw vibrations of an Aston Martin's nearly open exhaust.
The sound of the newest Aston, the Vantage S, is distorted and echoed off a perfect vertical tree line in testing – more like the angry roar of an animal in pain than a V8 engine reluctantly tempted to unleash even more power.
Aston Martin developed the V8 Vantage S as an evolutionary model. More power, more torque, more noise and more driving pleasure have taken it one step closer to the race track. With an uncompromising seven-speed automatic transmission and a $275,000 price tag, this is clearly not for everyone.
VALUE
Let me repeat that figure - $275,000. For some, perhaps value, but this is a purchase where value is not the first port of call. If you want your car to be on the cutting edge of performance, but still need a dose of luxury wrapped up in the world's sexiest car body, then this can be valuable.
The Vantage S is obviously based heavily on the $250,272K Vantage V8, doesn't miss a lot of opportunities, but there's a feeling it could be an update to a car first released six years ago.
Some of the kits include a Bang & Olufsen audio system, iPod/USB connectivity, leather and alcantara, satellite navigation and cruise control.
Design
This is the most beautiful car in the world. You may disagree, but you are wrong. I understand that he is already six years old, but a brave man - or woman - will take up drawing the next form.
Since it is essentially a Grand Tourer coupe, it should be low and fast and carry the minimum number of people. Instantly it will be big in the engine room and light in the cabin.
But for those who travel light between European countries at Mach 1, there is enough space in the cabin, and if the road is smooth, then it is comfortable.
TECHNOLOGY
There is something to talk about here. It gets the same base 4.7-liter V8 engine as the cheaper Vantage, but adds a variable intake plenum and a lot more spark from the ignition. More air, more spark, more cotton. Power increases from 7kW to 321kW at a dizzying 7200rpm and torque increases by 20Nm to 490Nm.
The gearbox is a Graziano seven-speed automated manual transmission that Aston calls Sportshift II integrated with the differential. It was made specifically for this car. It is operated by the same round button pad, including the obligatory sports switch, on top of the center console, but is individually selectable via steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.
Aston claims shift times are faster than with a manual transmission, and the gearbox is 50kg lighter than a dual-clutch system and 24kg less than a standard Vantage Sportshift I transmission. There is no manual on the "S".
Compared to the standard Vantage, the suspension is stiffer, the steering is quicker and requires fewer turns, the brakes are grooved and ventilated, and the tires are bulkier. Oh, and it's going faster.
SECURITY
Four airbags, every electronic device known to man, and a non-existent crash rating. Many expensive low-volume cars do not have accident ratings in Europe, the US, or Australia.
DRIVING
I apologize for waking up the neighbors when I inserted the glass key into its slot. The noise of starting the engine is similar to the preliminary gurgling of an awakened volcano, and the work of eight cylinders is like an explosion of ejected lava.
To be honest, if I could push him to the end of the street, I would. Noise is the backbone of a powerful car, and the Vantage S doesn't disappoint.
True, I could refrain from hitting the Sport button, but what's the catch?
Too much, at slow speeds, the automatic transmission is sluggish. It needs a lot of revs and seems to be out of touch with the wheels. Upchanges have a frustrating pause between gears when left on automatic.
But use the Sport button and paddles, keep the engine above 3500 rpm, and this is one of the most enjoyable road rockets. He doesn't particularly like traffic jams and would occasionally twitch and bounce as the gearbox tried to figure out which gear it needed.
Away from the hustle and bustle, in the mountains and where roads cross pine plantations, he found his home. The steering is perfect, the engine response is brilliant - to the point of horror - and the magnificent noise of the open exhaust brings a big smile.
But the road needs to be relatively smooth so that imperfections shake the suspension and transmit them through the thinly padded carbon fiber seats. Tiny switches also make the dashboard difficult to control. But I'm being pedantic.
VERDICT
This is where emotion and technology meet. The Vantage S is built for people who have unlimited access to wide roads, premium fuel and time. I do not.
But I understand this car. Its faults—loud, hard, and clunky at low speeds—are only part of its character, and they all disappear when you yank the right handlebar and flash the number four on the dash, then five, then six, and as the road smooths and stretches, seven.
ASTON MARTIN VANTAZH S
Cost: $275,000
Guarantee: 3 years, 100,000 km, roadside assistance
Resale: n /
Service Interval: 15,000 km or 12 months
Economy: 12.9 l / 100 km; 299 g / km CO2
Safety equipment: four airbags, ESC, ABS, EBD, EBA, TC. Accident rating n/a
Engine: 321 kW/490 Nm 4.7-litre V8 petrol engine
Transmission: Seven-speed automated manual transmission
Body: 2-door, 2-seater
Dimensions: 4385 (l); 1865 mm (W); 1260 mm (B); 2600 mm (WB)
The weight: 1610kg
Tire: Size (ft) 245/40R19 (rear) 285/35R19. spare wheel no
