Aston Martin V12 Vantage S details

Aston Martin V12 Vantage S


The V12 Vantage S is, as the name suggests, an upgraded version of the (rather unhinged) Vantage model that was launched in 2009. It gains more than just an extra letter in its name: it's more powerful, has a new gearbox, revised steering and suspension systems and a wider range of trim and colour options.

The Vantage S's biggest difference over the V12 Vantage is power. While the Vantage S retains last year's 6.0-liter V12, it's now up to 565 hp. That's a 50-hp bump over the outgoing model. Also, at 475 lb-ft of torque, it's up by 37 lb-ft. Aston says the changes came from various subtle engine upgrades, such as hollow camshafts.

The new paddle-shifted gearbox offers two distinct advantages over the obsolete six-speed. The new transmission is a whopping 55 pounds lighter, and it helps translate the 5.9-liter’s extra 55 ponies into a top speed of 205 mph up from a redline-limited 190 mph in the previous V12 Vantage.

V8 Vantage models come with plenty of standard features, including a 160-watt Aston Martin audio system with six-CD changer; Bluetooth; integrated iPod and USB connectivity; and a 3.5-mm auxiliary input jack. Electrically adjustable sport seats, a full-grain leather interior, organic electroluminescent displays, automatic climate control, rear parking sensors, and power-folding heated exterior mirrors are also standard. Stepping up to the V12 Vantage S brings all of those features plus standard navigation, auto-dimming mirrors, three-position memory seats, and various carbon fiber and titanium interior and exterior accents.

The brakes are carried forward unchanged. Up front are massive ventilated/drilled carbon ceramic discs (15.7 inches in diameter) with six-piston calipers. The rear brakes are only marginally smaller ventilated/drilled carbon ceramic discs (14.2 inches in diameter) with four-piston calipers. The forged aluminum wheel size is unchanged,19-inches in diameter, with each wrapped in a Pirelli PZero Corsa rubber.

Aston Martin Chief Executive Officer Dr Ulrich Bez said: "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."

Aston Martin, known for making some of the best- looking cars on the road today, has released the pricing for its new 2015 V12 Vantage S sports car, placing it at $184,995.