Quickest Aston to cost $390K

It was first revealed three weeks ago and now Aston Martin has announced its new V12 Vantage S will accelerate to 100km/h in 3.9 seconds and cost $389,300 plus on-road costs when first deliveries commence in Australia late this year.

While that makes the century-old British brand’s fiercest ever rival for the Porsche 911 the fastest-accelerating Aston ever (apart from the sold-out limited-edition $4 million One-77), a meagre $2909 price premium over the standard V12 Vantage ($386,391) means it will be far from the most expensive.

In terms of full-time Aston Martin models, that honour will go the new Vanquish Volante, which was revealed yesterday and will cost more than $500,000 when first customer examples arrive here early next year.

As we’ve reported, the V12 Vantage S packs an upgraded ‘AM28’ version of Aston’s venerable 5.9-litre V12, this time offering 423kW at 6750rpm (up from 380kW), 620Nm at 5750rpm (up from 570Nm) and no less than 510Nm at just 1000rpm.

Aston previously stated that, combined with a 15kg-lower kerb weight of 1665kg, that would be enough for it to accelerate to 100km/h in less than four seconds (down from 4.2 seconds for the standard V12 Vantage) and a top speed of 330km/h, also making it the company’s fastest ever model (One-77 excluded).

Lightweighting measures include the use of a lighter (and louder) exhaust system from the One-77 and a lighter new seven-speed 'Sportshift III' gearbox borrowed from the V8 Vantage S and tweaked to match the increased power output.

Replacing a conventional six-speed automatic transmission, it is an automated single-clutch manual built by Oerlikon Graziano. Operated by steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, Aston reckons the motorsport-derived gearbox allows "only milliseconds of torque interruption" between shifts.

The final drive ratio is a short 3.7:1 and a limited-slip differential is fitted, along with new tri-mode adaptive suspension -- a first the Vantage range – that offers ‘Normal’, ‘Sport’ and circuit-focussed 'Track' modes. It is linked to the ZF Servotronic power steering, which comes with two modes and a quicker 15:1 ratio.

Distinguished by a wider new grille inspired by the CC100 concept and featuring carbon-fibre vanes in place of aluminium ones, the V12 Vantage S also wears new 10-spoke forged alloy wheels, a black roof, partially painted boot, pumped-out wheel-arches and a quartet of bonnet vents.

Carbon-fibre side vents can be added as options, while the interior is festooned with plenty of high-quality cow-hide, Alcantara, aluminium accents and the option of a carbon-fibre pack.

“The new V12 Vantage S brings our winning GT3 race formula to the road,” claims Aston Martin CEO Dr Ulrich Bez. “It’s a car for those customers who want superior sporting performance in a ‘gentleman’s suit’. It’s the most pure, yet understated, driving machine we can imagine today.”

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