Seventh heaven: Aston Martin V12 Vantage S gets manual ‘box

Aston Martin has announced that, along with its 2017 model year updates, the V12 Vantage S will soon come with a new option of a seven-speed manual transmission.

Billed as the “Ultimate Analogue Aston Martin”, the manual, which features a race car-inspired dog-leg first gear, will be a no-cost replacement for the Sportshift single-clutch automated manual.

Performance with the new manual gearbox, which is aimed at purists, is said to match the Sportshift auto. That means the 421kW/620Nm 5.9-litre V12-powered coupe takes the same 3.9 seconds to complete the 0-100km/h dash. Top speed is also identical, with the seven-speed manual topping out at 330km/h.

Like Porsche’s new 911 R, Aston Martin has also fitted its latest manual gearbox with a rev-match function called AMSHIFT.

Like the Porsche, AMSHIFT blips the throttle on downchanges and even allows full-throttle upshifts for smoothness and minimal interruption in acceleration.

As part of the new updates both the V8 and V12 Vantage also gain a new AMi III infotainment system that’s said to be quicker and easier to input addresses while coming with better graphics.

AMi III also now incorporates Apple CarPlay.

Aston Martin will also offer more and more ways in the future to customise and personalise your car.

New to the Vantage is Sport-Plus pack that offers a choice of five body colours that can be combined with (no-cost) coloured accents for the grille, side sills, mirrors caps and rear diffuser.

The Sport-Plus also buys new 19-inch graphite painted ten-spoke alloy wheels.

It’s not known when the new manual option will become available on Australian V12 Vantage S but, like the US, the manual transmission might be offered as a special-edition.

In Europe seven-speed manual-equipped V12 Vantage S models will arrive in the third quarter of 2016.

Speaking on the announcement of the decision to re-introduce the manual into the V12 Vantage, Aston Martin boss Andy Palmer said: "Broadening the scope of the V12 Vantage S with a manual transmission option is an indication of our desire to offer the keenest drivers a more analogue and immersive machine to enjoy. I'd like to take this opportunity to reiterate that the manual gearbox remains an integral part of our product plans and will do for many years to come."

Aston Martin’s decision to persevere with the old-tech manual gearbox mirrors Porsche’s decision to once again offer a manual transmission option on the next-generation track-focused GT3. Even hypercar makers like Pagani are reportedly considering offering a manual shift on its Huayra following demand from customers.

In local Aston Martin news, the marque has announced a tethered finance and guaranteed future value program covering V8 Vantage and the DB9 model ranges.

The program includes a buyback option for "an assured price" at the end of the finance contract.

Aston Martin’s Regional Director for Asia Pacific, Patrik Nilsson, stated: “At Aston Martin, we believe that driving one of our handcrafted sports cars is an all-consuming experience.

"We are now delighted to be offering our customers the reassurance about the future value of their investment in our brand through Aston Martin Advance.”

Full conditions for Aston Martin Advance are available from participating Aston Martin dealers.