V12 Vantage

[FlatBlackCaddy]

Just saw this.

My first thought was how fantastic the v8 sounds and how they couldn't possilby make it better.

http://jalopnik.com/5145876/aston-martin-v12-vantage-four-more-cylinders

Click link, play video then go clean yourself up.

[Submariner]

Sweet jesus.

[the Teuton]

Sweet baby Jesus.

It sounds so angry.

That sound is beyond visceral/

[Rich]

I was hoping to hear it out in the open under load

[Raza]

Why have this if you have the DBS?

[SVT_Power]

omg.

[SVT666]

I'm giggling like a little school girl.  Oops.  I think I just pissed myself.

[SVT666]

Replace that 6.0L 510 hp V12 with a turbo 4 banger, and Sporty would be all over it.

[ChrisV]

Why have this if you have the DBS?

'cause it's smaller and lighter? I'd rather have this than the DBS, personally.

[r0tor]

sonufabitch i want one

[Submariner]

'cause it's smaller and lighter? I'd rather have this than the DBS, personally.

I think the overall shape is better, too.

Though, the hood vents are a bit excessive.  Are they necessary or for show?

[SVT666]

I think the overall shape is better, too.

Though, the hood vents are a bit excessive.  Are they necessary or for show?

The hood vents are fucking awesome. 

BTW, they are functional.

[SVT666]

2010 Aston Martin V12 Vantage revealed

Aston Martin?s Vantage began life with a 380 horsepower V8 that many enthusiasts felt was underpowered given the potential of the chassis and underlying technology. More recently, the V8 Vantage was updated with a 420 horsepower motor. But Aston has decided to take it one step further with the V12 Vantage ? a new version of the car with 510 horsepower under its hood.

The V12 Vantage was previewed with a concept in 2007. The car was first shown when the automaker christened its new design studio and later displayed at 2008 Geneva Motor Show Show.

Scheduled for a public unveiling at this year?s Geneva show, the V12 Vantage has a 6.0-liter motor that, in addition to delivering the aforementioned horsepower figure, also serves up 420 pound-feet of torque and a zero to 60 mph time of 4.2 seconds.

The engine features a number of enhancements over the standard 6.0-litre V12 found in the DB9. These include a ?by-pass? engine air intake port that opens up at 5500 rpm, a revised induction system and re-profiled air inlet ports that further improve airflow into the combustion chamber to improve performance.

While the external dimensions of the V8 Vantage remain unchanged, the internal front structure has been extensively revised forward of the suspension towers to house the larger engine, brake cooling system, and twin air intake system.

Unique to the V12 Vantage is a the ability to toggle button between two powertrain modes. The default ?normal? provides a more progressive, throttle response, suited to more everyday situations. Selecting ?Sport? mode delivers a sharper throttle response together with a sportier exhaust note.

In default operation, the Dynamic Stability Control is automatically switched on. Depressing the DSC button for two seconds selects ?track mode? which raises the manner and threshold at which the system intervenes allowing the driver to explore the limits of the car?s considerable handling capabilities. Depressing the button for four seconds will switch off DSC completely.

Although the V12 engine weighs 220 pounds more than the standard car?s engine, the vehicle?s overall weight is only increased by 110 pounds. This is possible due to widespread use of lightweight materials, including carbon ceramic brakes, forged aluminium wheels, lightweight rear quarter panels, and optional lightweight seats. Weight distribution is a near-perfect 51:49.

The V12 Vantage?s Carbon Ceramic Matrix discs are 398 mm in diameter at the front and 360 mm at the rear while the brake callipers feature six pistons at the front, four at the rear and have a larger brake pad area compared to the V8 Vantage. Air ducts positioned within the lower front grille feed air directly onto the discs to aid cooling.

Exclusively available with a six-speed manual transmission, the gearbox uses a transaxle configuration to aid weight distribution. The V12 Vantage?s final drive ratio has also been modified from 3.909:1 to 3.71:1. This allows the Vantage to take full benefit of the high torque levels delivered by the engine to provide both flexibility at lower engine speeds as well as a high top speed of 190 mph.

Deliveries of the V12 Vantage are expected to commence during quarter three 2009 with prices to be confirmed at a later date. Production will be limited to between just 300-500 examples per year.

[Raza]

'cause it's smaller and lighter? I'd rather have this than the DBS, personally.

Missing, but perhaps proving my point.  I meant why would Aston make this car such an obvious DBS competitor, highlighting how overpriced the DBS is?  Not from the consumer standpoint.

[TBR]

It won't be sold in the USA, btw.

[giant_mtb]

I was hoping to hear it out in the open under load

+1

[ChrisV]

Missing, but perhaps proving my point.  I meant why would Aston make this car such an obvious DBS competitor, highlighting how overpriced the DBS is?  Not from the consumer standpoint.

Because some people like the look and size of the DBS better. Nothing wrong with having fun, fast, attractive vehicles to appeal to slightly different buyers.

Kind of like Camaros and Firebirds. Identical cars with slightly different looks, appealed to slightly different buyers. Even without this version, I liked the Vantage more than the DBS, and the DB9 more than either. Just enough difference in the way they look to make for a definite hierarchy in my mind. Now, this one slots in on top.

[the Teuton]

It won't be sold in the USA, btw.

[SVT666]

Because some people like the look and size of the DBS better. Nothing wrong with having fun, fast, attractive vehicles to appeal to slightly different buyers.

Kind of like Camaros and Firebirds. Identical cars with slightly different looks, appealed to slightly different buyers. Even without this version, I liked the Vantage more than the DBS, and the DB9 more than either. Just enough difference in the way they look to make for a definite hierarchy in my mind. Now, this one slots in on top.

I love the DB9/DBS, but the V8 Vantage is the better looking and tidier package of the two.  Now this version is orgasmic.  I rank them in this order:

1. V12 Vantage
2. V8 Vantage
3. DBS
4. DB9

[sandertheshark]

I'm not buying the hood vents.  No matter that they're functional, I don't think they are appropriate for the brand.

Although, if you look at those vents from the right angle, you see this: and that makes me smile.

[SVT666]

I'm not buying the hood vents.  No matter that they're functional, I don't think they are appropriate for the brand.

Although, if you look at those vents from the right angle, you see this: and that makes me smile.

You're right, I do see that.  That also makes me smile.

[ChrisV]

I've got no problem with a shitpile of hood scoops on a sports car. 

[Raza]

Because some people like the look and size of the DBS better. Nothing wrong with having fun, fast, attractive vehicles to appeal to slightly different buyers.

Kind of like Camaros and Firebirds. Identical cars with slightly different looks, appealed to slightly different buyers. Even without this version, I liked the Vantage more than the DBS, and the DB9 more than either. Just enough difference in the way they look to make for a definite hierarchy in my mind. Now, this one slots in on top.

Yes, well, GM is a bloated monster, and Aston...isn't.  True, not many who are buying these cars care much for value, but if I've got a few hundred thousand to spend, I wouldn't have wasted it on a DBS before the V12 Vantage was available.  I'd certainly not do it now.

[Raza]

I've got no problem with a shitpile of hood scoops on a sports car. 

I don't mind vents, but these are just oddly arranged. 

[NomisR]

I don't mind vents, but these are just oddly arranged. 

Function over form

[ChrisV]

I don't mind vents, but these are just oddly arranged. 

They are based on where the heat is generated under hood. Two smaller ones in teh center behind the radiator, and two larger ones down the sides above the exhaust manifolding. And they are that far back due to how much cowling is between the grille and the front of the engine:

[Tave]

What's odd about symmetry?

[hotrodalex]

I have a new favorite engine...

[Raza]

What's odd about symmetry?

They're arranged like a "W", cell phone bars, or a  .

[the Teuton]

Can I make that engine with two Duratec 3.0s and a TIG welder?  Damn.