Aston Martin Vanquish vs Ferrari F12 Berlinetta vs Lamborghini Aventador: A Magnificent Twelve - Auto Sportive

SEEMS TO PLAY WITH FIRE. I'm late, and this road, which crosses the Apennines in an endless series of bends and sharp turns, is soaked through. These are not ideal conditions for the first Ferrari ride. F12 from 740 hp Even half the horses would be enough to burn Michelin in a straight line with a light movement of your right foot: imagine a turn on a wet road ... But it is not only the power that scares you, it makes it even more difficult to drive the nose of the Ferrari into a turn. V12 hidden under the hood and with one steering sharp as a scalpel blade. I need attention, attention and even more.

When I have to slow down near the villages, my concentration drops a little, and an excitement comes in its place, full of the expectation of what I will experience during these two days. To test the limits of the F12, 1.274 hp. and much, much of this awaits us there, in the mountains. carbon, Ferrari claims his F12 is both GT and supercaras it combines a quiet layout and front engine with exotic dynamics inspired by 1 formula. So we decided to test it in both aspects - GT and Supercar - by organizing the most incredible matchup in the world: Ferrari against the best GT V12 and the best V12 supercar on the market.

In half an hour I pull over to the side of the road. In front of me is another V12 e with a front engine. rear drive, also in red, only on the hood instead of a horse is the Aston Martin logo. Behind her is the third car, one Lamborghini matte black with receptionist open scissors and large pliers Oranges peek out from behind huge circles like the eyes of a predator in the dark. When these three beasts meet, the sun has just come out from behind the clouds. It will be a face to face fairy tale. Let's get to know the three protagonists of this encounter ...

The GT: Aston Martin Vanquish

LA ASTON MARTIN Vanquish he's here today because for us it's the best GT on the market. It is the pinnacle of the Gaydon line, which embodies all of Aston Martin's achievements over twelve years of use.aluminumas well as a lot of fiber know-how carbonderived from hypercar design One-77, everything is packed in one line charming. That's what Vanquish is all about: an English exotic that can challenge Italian craftsmanship. If the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta really manages to combine GT reputation with supercar performance - as claimed by the Maison - then it must match sophistication, usability and comfort Victory.

In terms of performance, the Aston falls short of Ferrari (and Lamborghini), at least on paper: with 574bhp. the Vanquish has a headroom, but that's not enough to reach 740 hp like the Ferrari F12 and 700 out of Lamborghini Aventador.

However, on the way there couple it is a much more convenient weapon than mere power, and in this Aston is closer to the two Italians: the Englishman actually delivers 620 Nm versus 690 for Ferrari and Lambo. Aston is the only gift with Automatic transmissionbut on the other hand, the machine is better suited to the GT character than the automatic manual blank. Clutch single Lambo and very fast double clutch from F12.

Vanquish has many advantages, it's powerful and fast, but I know what you're thinking: it's inevitable, two Italians will eventually tear it apart. It may be that way, but there is one detail you left out ... Vanquish is great too. sports... It is fast, balanced and produces excellent results. suspensions which give it a fast and dynamic ride on the widest and smoothest roads like the ones we're going to drive. We know he won't be as fast and adrenaline-pumping as the two Italians, but that's not the point. The Aston Martin Vanquish is here because it is the perfect vehicle for this Italian journey, to cover the many kilometers in complete relaxation and, if necessary, push it to the limit and enjoy a high level of pleasure, and then return home calm and relaxed. For many, this is much more impressive than cavalry at the height of one 1 formula or comic. And let's not forget that compared to its two rivals, Vanquish also costs a lot less.

Supercar: Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4

NO BUT I'M SPEAKING, look at this! Dropping his ass and lifting his muzzle, he throws himself into corners like a supersonic weapon of speed and masculinity.

The front-engined Ferrari and Aston will do well to soothe their souls: they can't match in speed and performance. LP700-4... There is nothing like Lamborghini and no supercar like the Aventador, so the F12 and Vanquish will have to prove themselves extraordinary if they want to even try to match the beast of Sant'Agata.

If you haven't guessed, we are big fans Fan... We love that transparent and straightforward character that is typical of the Lambo. We like that engine, the first new V12 made in Sant'Agata in fifty years, retains that crazy high-revving thrust and barking that is the hallmark of old Lamborghinis. And we love its performance without fear of sudden loss of traction, driving license, or life.

We also like it because it takes discipline, confidence and driving skills to run it to the max. If F12 is the Formula 1 of the future, then the Aventador is the Formula 1 of the era when the drivers had big muscular arms, huge mustaches and two of those balls...

In this test Lamborghini he will have to rely on all his resources and, in particular, on his character to withstand the onslaught of Ferrari. The 12-liter V6.5 has the same torque as the F6,3's 12-liter V40, but on XNUMX hp. less. In theory four-wheel drive The Aventador is ahead of the rear-wheel drive Ferrari, but the F12 has differential more sophisticated, with better grip and stability control of not only the Lambo, but any other vehicle. Any.

And Aston? While the GT truly defining GT, it is very different from the Aventador. Although, having driven thousands of kilometers in the Aventador, we can assure you that despite the looks, the Lambo is also very comfortable (unless you have to squeeze into a multi-storey car park or a very narrow street). Three cars with a V12 engine, two days in Italy. Henry has the floor.

Opening

BLUE FLAME. This is what I remember from my first day in the company of these three cars. Sitting on the quilted leather Aston seat, I can't help but stare at the huge high school graduation The Lambo in front of me burns like a huge Bunsen burner. When climbing, when it moves, and at some point even throughout the straight line, it continues to throw a long blue flame.

Honestly, even when it doesn't fireworks, Lamborghini seems to steal the spectacle of everything else, including the stunning panorama of the still snow-capped Apennines over Sestola, a small town in the Modena area. Want a demo? At some point, two gentlemen of a certain age arrive at the Punto, stop and cautiously approach the Aston Martin and Ferrari. When they see a black Lamborghini parked on the other side of the road, they start screaming, "What a beautiful car!" and they run like two children to get a closer look. As Bovingdon says, "When the Aventador is around, it seems like nothing else exists."

We spend all day photographing on the move, but even if we walk back and forth for hours on the same bends, that's enough to get a first impression of the three cars. Let's begin with that steering wheel The boxy Aston looks odd, but it's a pleasure to use. Suddenly this Vanquish isn't as tough as the last DB9 we've ridden and needs to be held. suspensions in mode Sports be able to maintain good control. Aesthetically, however, we've received further confirmation that what Nick Trott calls "college red" isn't the color best suited to the elegant lines of a carbon-fiber Aston.

When we try a Ferrari F12, everyone admires the engine combination.broadcast: Without a doubt, this is the best road bike on the market. Like me twelve cylinders they work with no visible inertia - it's crazy, and the dual clutch not only matches the level of the engine, but even manages to strengthen it. It's so incredible that Nick Trott compares it to the legendary V12 Rosche from the McLaren F1.

Unexpectedly, the easiest car to drive was the Lambo, with its own steering heavy. Same brakes they are the most hopeful of the group. But perhaps it's also because of the wet asphalt, which plays in the Aventador's favor, highlighting the benefits of all-wheel drive and its benefits. Winter tires, Speed The Bolognese's single clutch has been improved since the last time we drove it, but the engine-transmission combination, while superb and up-to-date, falls short of the futuristic Ferrari. Perhaps things would have gone better with the Veneno engine ...

As amazing as the Lambo is, its driving at night is the best proof that it poses no threat to Aston in the GT class. It's more comfortable to use than Diablo or Countach, but while I'm groping for dark and unfamiliar streets, view reduced due to Posts front and half blinded Headlights From the cars we see, this Aventador seems to me as practical and easy to handle, like an elephant in a glass workshop.

As we talked about this in the evening, we all agreed that in order to really experience these three cars, we need wider roads. So, to get to them, we will have to get up early in the morning.

IL SOUND О ENGINE of supercar awakening is one of the pleasures of life. But I don't know if all the guests of the Corte degli Estensi feel the same way, because it was at dawn… The Ferrari F12 is not only noisy, like any self-respecting supercar, but also special at the start. Press the big red button in the center of the steering wheel to activate the choke, and a second later the V12 wakes up with a roar. The engine runs fast and angrily for about a minute before going into a quieter idle. Amazing. F1 is a lot...

Our goal today is one of the favorite Italian roads EVO, the one that leads to the passes of Futa and Ratikos. Since we need to drive an hour on the highway to get there, I decide to get behind the wheel of Red. Asphalt in Italy seems to have worsened ... in line with the country's economy, that is, there are potholes and blemishes everywhere, but magnetorheological shock absorbers in rough road mode, Ferrari smoothes out bumps perfectly. In automatic mode, the transmission runs smoothly and quickly and maintains a medium engine speed, allowing you to drive at a good pace and relaxed. The steering is so precise it looks like a laser at low speeds and allows you to draw curves and fillets with minimal effort.

It can be said that this Speed like a real GT? Yes and no. With the F12, you can travel many miles if the goal is to get to a decent road to then untie it, but if the trip is an end in itself, it's a little frustrating. Unlike the Aston, which seems to magically make miles disappear when you're tired or not in the mood, there's always a certain amount of tension with a Ferrari. It's like an emergency response unit always on the alert, or a runner standing on the starting blocks. The accelerator at the start of the race remains jumpy and responsive even when Manettino in mode Sports o Wet and even if the ride quality is good, the compensators are felt under the wheels and some vibration reaches the driver's seat. As Jethro says: “She's always a little tense. She is never as relaxed as Vanquish. "

He definitely seems more comfortable when we walk into the gallery. The windows are down, three clicks on the left lever (that's a problem when you have seven gears), the gas pedal down and you feel like you're in the Monaco Grand Prix. From the bark of the exhaust in the dark to the pop of a shift that echoes through the tunnel at the light of the shifter at the top of the steering wheel, the F12 is a powerful racing car. In a few seconds of acceleration, he fills the tunnel, using it as a deck, and then reappears in the sun.

I say "sunshine", but in reality there is almost no sunshine: when we rise, we are enveloped in a cold and wet fog, which worries me very much. There is a service area right in front of the exit, so we stop for gas and coffee, hoping the weather will improve in the meantime. Two police cars drive by and slow down to admire the three beasts. The distinctive blue and white law enforcement livery contradicts these two Skoda Octavia station wagons. They should also drive an Italian supercar so that they have a chance to catch up and catch up with the on-duty criminals ...

I sit behind the wheel of the Ferrari again, following Jethro and Lambo towards the Apennine passes. The weather hasn't improved, the road is wet and there are even a few patches of snow in some places, but in the F12 I feel safe, so I rev up and let it go for a bit. bus to keep them warm. After a few kilometers, looking at display of Dynamic Vehicle Support System, I notice that the letter e brakes they are a pleasant, reassuring green, while the tires are stubbornly cold blue. Even though the Aventador's all-wheel drive ahead of me allows it to gain some edge around the corners, Ferrari is catching up with the straight where it's really wild.

The roads we walk on now are smoother and more supercar-friendly (driving the F12 looks smaller than the 599, but still big) and I'm glad we decided to go this far. When we park in front of Chalet Raticosa, the weather is even worse than before. While others are cleaning the cars to take some pictures, I take a Ferrari and go to see what the situation is on the roads that should be the site of our test.

This is a wise decision. After a couple of kilometers, everything changes, and finally the sun appears, which we came to look for in Italy. I go to the end of the prettiest bends, then I turn around, turn offESP and I'm going uphill to the pass. The road is a series of turns with excellent visibility, and here, where the pavement finally got dry and hot, the F12 is the queen of racing. oversteer... The front slides instantly into corners, and then you can start the rear just by opening the throttle. L 'E Diff it's sensational, it gives you full control of the rear axle and when the rear slides you can hold it for as long as you want, even when changing direction, as Jethro will demonstrate later. The first time is kind of a jump into the void because you are afraid that the back will be just as nervous and reactive as the front and instead it is very easy to control when it starts. You just have to get used to the steering because being super-fast means you're adjusting the crossbeam too much at first.

After joining the others and delivering the good news about the weather conditions in the area of ​​interest, I boarded the Aventador. I pull the door down, lift the red lid, press the button and hear the starter spin for about twice as long as the Ferrari before the V12 wakes up. The black screen is filled with colored dials and graphs (with tachometer dominating the stage), then pull the right racket and forward. Oddly enough, a Lamborghini is easier to ride in a relaxed way than a Ferrari F12, as the corners flow smoothly one after the other.

At the end of yesterday we all agreed that the regime Sports for Speed was perfect and it's the only thing you really need (“Дорога“Too soft”race“Too complicated.) Among the three, the Sport also has a torque distribution that favors the 10:90 split rear end more. However, ESP must be disabled in this mode, because otherwise it chokes on pleasure like an overprotective and suffocating mother (although this may depend on the winter tires currently fitted to the Lambo).

Normally on a Lambo V12, you disengage stability control with the same anxiety - fear, I would say - that you hug a polar bear, but on the other hand, you have to if you want to try and have some fun. On the other hand, things are different with the Aventador. The light but persistent initial understeer is gone, now the front end is full of grip and glides through corners without the slightest hesitation. This detail alone is enough to make this big and wild Lambo seem smaller, more compact and more docile.

The other side of the coin is that, following the lead, even the weight behind the shoulders drops to full power when cornering. You tend to brake later and feel the car shaking behind you. This is an infinitesimal movement, but the heart begins to beat faster. You enter a corner as if nothing had happened, and when you exit it, you breathe a sigh of relief. Inevitably, on the next corner, you pick up the pace: this time the rear is moving decisively, and you need to push back to keep it. But, oddly enough, you do not have gray hair from fear, and, to your relief, you realize that you are not risking your life. Not bad. In fact, no, it's just fantastic.

Without realizing it, you find yourself using the weight from the rear to stabilize the vehicle and whistle into corners from the rear of the tires as the inertia of the V12 6.5 makes them tilt. Then you turn slightly in the opposite direction to regain your balance and exit the turn, bringing your hindquarters back into line. Easily. Chicanas are even better because you can shift weight first to one side and then to the other, while the Lambo remains controllable and grips firmly to the ground. It's a very subtle movement despite the masses involved, and an almost slow movement compared to a nervous and hyperactive Ferrari, but it's a thrilling and immersive experience that I didn't think I could try on a 1.500kg Lambo.

There are only two minuses. First, winter tyres, which as far as we know can make a big difference in how the Aventador reacts: will the balance be the same with summer tyres? Otherwise, all Aventadores would have to work with Sottozero for about twelve months a year! The second drawback is the pedal. BRAKE which is initially excellent, if you overdo it, it seems like the race is getting too long. It doesn't quite fade out, but you have to get more and more nervous and push the pedal harder to get a response. Plus, after a good ride on those winding roads, the brakes come from a sweet smell (it reminds us of Castrol R) that none of us have heard before. If yesterday I liked the Aventador for its showiness, today it really made me fall in love with your driving style.

LATE RETURN to the meeting point, bringing something to eat for lunch. While colleagues are gorging themselves on cold pizza and fried cheese, I ended up in Vanquish. I seem to have neglected it so far, I was too busy with two Italians ignoring this quilted cockpit when I could enjoy the shockwaves emanating from the Aventador's exhaust fumes. But even if it is less expensive and less powerful, it certainly cannot be taken lightly.

On the same road I just took with Lamborghini, the Aston Martin is tidier and more relaxed, as well as more roll and pitch. It's a softer ride, especially when compared to a Ferrari, and enough to tip the scales when choosing the best GT. It also has a very balanced chassis, and with heavier front tires due to the dry road, the steering is the most responsive of the three and becomes more dramatic when cornering. This allows you to push the front until it starts to move, before you open the throttle and feel the weight shifting behind. Mode Track of DSC excellent and limited slip differential It seems to lock a little when cornering, allowing you to hit the accelerator pedal hard in the knowledge that some traction will be lost due to the inner towing wheel and avoids over-cornering. It's not the best entertainment, but with excellent balance and well-balanced front-to-rear grip, the Vanquish is manageable and comfortable to use.

The day starts well when 574 hp seem to be few. The Aston V12 doesn't have the same stratospheric acceleration as the other two, but the soundtrack is no worse than the Ferrari, if not in volume then in tone. The only area where English is not justified is the broadcast level. IN Automatic transmission Touchtronic The six-speed is a disaster: an endless pause between shifts, slow death instead of the expected shot, and the overall feeling, as Nick says, “something old and outdated.” Shift speed also determines cornering speed: On the Aston, you have to plan things in time, brake a moment too soon and give the Touchtronic time to shift instead of touching the left stick to shift into gear. broadcast. last. However, in certain cases, such reflexivity of the exchange becomes an advantage. Unlike the other two, the Aston doesn't penalize you if you get distracted by the view. And he won't squirm and snort impatiently if you get stuck behind a crowded old Panda. Its driving in this case is relaxed, as you would expect from a GT of this class.

As always with group tests, it seems like everything is under control until it gets dark. At this point, real hell begins as Sam and Dean try to take the final video and take the final photos before the moon rises. It's all about setting up and moving the tripod, unscrewing and twisting the lenses. An hour later, by the headlights, we load everything into the rented Peugeot 5008 and set off again to meet. Maranello make the first stop Agatha.

I take the F12 to see if it can be as smooth as the Aston. This works partly, but no matter how hard you try to move slowly, you end up maintaining a pace that cannot be called relaxed. Holding 740 roaring resumes is not easy and requires the hands of a surgeon and the legs of a dancer. He is so quick and cruel in his responses, even to the smallest moments, that he always keeps you busy.

You don't inhale even when shifting gears because the paddles seem to read your mind, the next gear hits the target even before you finish moving your fingers. The brakes are so powerful and snappy that without four point belts you will end up hitting the windshield. Acceleration is so powerful and progressive that you can hardly judge how quickly you meet the turns. With such a rigid chassis, the car moves entirely over bumps and oncoming slopes. If driving an Aston is like watching TV, then with a Ferrari it seems like it switches to HD, turns on Dolby Surround, presses the Fast Forward button and then tries to follow the movie. Sure, it's a wild ride, but if your reflexes are fast enough, the F12 gives you all the tools to keep things in check.

AT DINNER THAT EVENING, on the return flight the next morning, and at the office in the following days, we continue to talk about it face to face. We feared that the Aston would be easy prey for the two Italians, but that was not the case. He dominates his GT niche without any problems, but he can also aspire to something else, as Jethro says: “If those at Aston made the S version, they could shake even the most capable supercars. The starting point is good, just make the suspension stiffer and let the great chassis shine. " Nick agrees and adds, "He could well manage another 100 HP."

However, much of the discussion inevitably focuses on Cavallino and Toro. The F12 is definitely more of a supercar than a GT, and so it's only natural that between Aston and Lambo, its true rival is a compatriot. It's hard to choose one of the two. If the Ferrari F12 is more roadworthy, then the Lamborghini Aventador is more impressive. “Riding it, hearing it, even just being around it leaves me speechless and takes me back to when I was a kid into exotic supercars,” says Aventador's Nick.

He's less fond of the look of Ferrari, but while less dramatic, he acknowledges his driving skills, wondering why they don't host an auto rally championship for the F12. There is no doubt that Ferrari is technologically on a different level and that the entire automotive industry is trying to keep up with it. But, leaving the Lambo, each of us smiled with a toothy smile, happy that he managed to suppress this monstrous V12, which swayed behind him ...

Both cars are breathtaking and you can't live without them, as the looks and performance promise, and that in itself is a great achievement.

But we only have to choose one. And so we put it to the vote: it's almost a draw, but in the end the Aventador wins. How much we love your blue flame ...